Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-05-02-0265

Anonymous ("Goodwill") to Thomas Jefferson, 24 August 1812

From Anonymous (“Goodwill”)

——— August 24, 1812.

Sir,

Your friend, who has been long silent, desires once more to address you. And, as it may be the last time, permit him to do it with plainness & solemnity. Thousands of times your unknown friend, has addressed the Almighty Sovereign in your behalf; praying, thro Jesus Christ, our Divine Advocate, that you may be brought to embrace & enjoy, that holy religion, which is taught in the sacred volume.

Believing, that every prayer of faith is answered your unknown friend, hopes & believes, that you, Sir, will shortly embrace & openly espouse the Christian Religion. May God Almighty grant it, thro the merits and mediation of his beloved Son.

Remember, Dear Sir, that your time on earth is short. “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of Salvation.”

By embracing Religion you will give joy to angels & all good men on earth And by it you will obtain a peace in1 your own mind, which the world cannot give nor take away.

That you may read the sacred volume with reverence & pray devoutly for the teaching of the divine spirit is the sincere prayer of your unknown friend.

RC (MHi); between dateline and salutation: “To the Hon. Thomas Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous “religious” letter received 15 Sept. 1812 and so recorded in SJL.

The unidentified author of this letter also wrote TJ as “Goodwill” on 20 June 1809, “A Friend to the Christian Religion” on 28 Apr. 1811, and anonymously on 13 Apr. and 1 June 1812. The biblical reference, now is the … day of salvation, is to 2 Corinthians 6.2.

1Manuscript: “in in.”

Index Entries

  • anonymous correspondence; letters from search
  • Bible; 2 Corinthians referenced search
  • “Goodwill” (“A Friend to the Christian Religion”); exhorts TJ search
  • “Goodwill” (“A Friend to the Christian Religion”); letters from search