1To John Adams from John Thornton Kirkland, 24 August 1821 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of Sending you a Card requesting your presence at Commencement.—I beg leave to remind you of your being one of the Judges of the speaking for Boylston prizes the day after Commencement, & to ask you, if you should attend, to do me the favor to dine with me on that day at half after two oC.— With high consideration / & affectionate regard, / I am, Dear Sir, / Your ob. Servt MHi...
2To John Adams from John Thornton Kirkland, 20 August 1819 (Adams Papers)
It is my official duty to mention that the public trial in speaking for the Boylston prizes for elocution, of which, by the institution you are one of the judges will take place -in the meeting House on thursday next beginning at half past nine of AM. At the same time, I know it wilt not be convenient for you to be present & I do not wish you to have the trouble of replying to this notice;...
3To John Adams from John Thornton Kirkland, 12 August 1818 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Boylston in his institution of prizes for elocution at our University has appointed as follows viz “The Corporation shall in each & every year select five gentlemen, who have been themselves distinguished for their elocution particularly, either at the bar, in the pulpit or in the Senate, who, together with the Corporation or a major part of them shall be the judges of the elocution of the...
I should like to subjoin in a note to the discourse I delivered on your father—the genealogical notices which are proper relating to your father & mother.— I quoted your father’s diary or memorandum upon the visit of Messrs Gridley & Otis—late in 1765 when he was asked to join them in resisting the stamped paper.—If this document be at your house & not in the bank, I should like when I call to...
5John T. Kirkland to Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
The Corporation of this University desire to unite with other Institutions in presenting to Congress the Memorial , of which a printed copy is herewith sent. They have authorized me to subscribe it officially, to transmit it to the several Colleges, Academies, and literary Societies, and to request their concurrence by the signatures of their respective principals. If you shall approve the...
1st of Corinthians, 7th.—29,30,31. But this I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth that they who have wives be as though they had none, and they that weep as though they wept not, and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not, and they that buy as though they possessed not, and they that use this world as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away. Here is a...
7Two funeral sermons preached at Quincy, 23 July 1826 (Adams Papers)
Proverbs Ch. 10. v. 7. The Memory of the Just is blessed. Our first concern is to be among the just,—to live as we ought, and have the excellence, that is suitable to the Man and the Christian. The great motives to this course are that God approves and requires it; that it is connected with our happiness, that it evinces we have right affections and a good Conscience, and look to external...