It may be presumption in me to ask your Opinion, on a Subject near my heart; and one which I think the whole human race are interested in. but when you hear my reason for intrudeing upon your useful time; I hope your goodness will pardon the liberty I take. Being in company1 with a Divine a few weeks past the Centrl college was the topic. it was observd that it was patronizd by Mr Jefferson it was suggested whether you woud listen to a lecture on Theolojy, for it was the Opinion of many you did not believe in Reveald Religion, neither did you believe in the divinity of our Saviour, often have I heard the same Opinion advanced, but never coud be braught to believe that a man of your understanging and advanced stage of life had not2 thaught Seriously what was to become of him after death. I believe there is a God3 we are accountable to him for all our actions, that there is rewards and punishments, & I believe in the Immortality of the soul. The incarnation of our Saviour and predistinations is a Subject involvd in mistery & there are Misterys in our natures and evey thing around us equally incomprehesible, yet it is our duty to believe & tremble and look up to the Majesty of heaven with wonder & delight. Please to give me your Opini[on] upon this—I consider all important Subject, not that I intend to make it public, but to stop the mouth of Censure & to have the Opinion of the great & Good to strengthen me in the pursuit of heaven. My dear Sir your great age & your reflectng mind must have markd a course to meet death, & we have as good ground to believe the Bible & the characters there expressd—as to believe in Antient history and that such men as Ceasar Pompy & the long list given in Prophane history. Yet we are hard to believe in a book that teaches the best Morals ever pen’d. I dont recollect a Martyr for Infidelity, numbers have died for the pure religion handed down in the bible.

I am no enthusiest, but a plain planter, have spent some happy moments under your hospitable roof; but perhaps forgotten by you, depend upon it my friend it is time to know the truth; there is a life beyond the grave, happiness or missery awaits us there. if the former cha[nces to] be our happy lott; we shall live imm[or]tal in a better world than this. May your good sence teach you, & may the finger of god point you to a seat in heaven