"Goodwill" to Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1809
From “Goodwill”
June 20, 1809
Honored Sir,
After a long silence your unknown friend begs leave once more to address you, on a subject of the greatest importance. And can there be any subject, that is diserving of this name, but that one, which equally deserves & demands the attention of each & all the human family, viz. the care of the immortal part, to secure for it an inheritance in that blessed world, “where the moth nor rust cannot corrupt nor thieves break thro & steal”
Dear Sir, as you are now retired from the busy scenes in which you have long been occupied let me invite you, Sir, to take religion into your social circle, that she may animate your spirits & cheer you in the evening of your days. Respected friend, you must be sensible, that your continuance on earth will not be long, even at the longest period which is alotted to man. And doubtless, Sir, you have a something within, that tells you, that your better part will exist beyond the reach of death. The immortal mind of man can be satisfied with nothing short of God & the joys of heaven. All other contemplations are too low & groveling to occupy the attention of the soul.
The holy volume of revelation contains the most excellent and glorious promises. O that we may take hold of Christ by faith & rest entirely on him for our salvation. Then we shall not fear death but when we drop this body we shall enter with triumph into the joys of our Lord.
Goodwill
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Hon. Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous “religious” letter received 29 June 1809 and so recorded in SJL.
“Goodwill” wrote a series of letters to TJ during his retirement as an unsigned correspondent, “Goodwill,” or “A Friend to the Christian Religion.” He did not reveal his identity but acknowledged having spent some time at Monticello (“A Friend to the Christian Religion” to TJ, 28 Apr. 1811; Anonymous to TJ, 1 June 1812). His biblical reference where the moth … & steal is to Matthew 6.19–34.
On the same day as he got this letter, TJ received, possibly from “Goodwill,” a prayer “To be used after the declaration of our independence is read, on the fourth of July,” that “We, thy human beings, desire to implore thee for thy mercy’s sake, to keep the United States of America free from the stupidity, power and tyranny of kings” and keep the nation’s rulers “free from the temptations of designing men” (printed broadside in DLC: TJ Papers, 229:41065; undated; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous item “postmark Brunswick. June. religious” received 29 June 1809 and so recorded in SJL).