78 LIFE OF BENJAMIN" SILLIMAN. 



and libellous performances ; and declares this to be only a 

 continuation of that, with this difference only, that the 

 abuse of the President and officers of government is 

 more insidious and artful in the latter, although it is evi- 

 dent that they both flowed from one pen, namely, Dr. 

 Dwight's. The demos were the more angry at me because 

 they supposed 1 meant them, although I did not say a word 

 about them 



The foregoing pages have enabled the reader to 

 judge of the intellectual qualities of Mr. Silliman in 

 his youth, and of the culture which he attained. A 

 more particular notice of his religious views and im- 

 pressions may properly conclude this chapter. Edu- 

 cated, as he was, at home, and being naturally sober 

 arid reflective, he was never without reverence for 

 God, and a quick sense of moral obligations. His 

 frequent religious expressions though an occasional 

 reference to religion was deemed to be a part of de- 

 corum in those days more than at present are evi- 

 dently spontaneous. He had been in the habit of 

 daily reading the Scriptures and offering up prayer. 

 Yet prior to the closing year of his tutorship, the 

 truths of the Gospel had not so vividly irnpressec 

 his feelings as to exert a full control over the purpose 

 and spirit of his life. A few months after gradua- 

 tion, in a letter to his brother, he indicates an inten- 

 tion to make Christianity a study. 



TO MR. G. S. SILLIMAN. 



FAIRFIELD, April 24, 1797. 



I AM well convinced of the importance of an 



early and thorough examination of the evidence of the 

 Christian religion, and intend that it shall be one of the 



