537
<( Knowing from what slender beginnings great mischiefs fre-quently arise, and with what pertinacity men generally adhere toparties and principles once adopted, I cannot refrain from ex-pressing an hope that the names of Bell and Lancaster may neverbecome occasions of disunion and disesteem between Churchmenand Dissenters, but that by a friendly concurrence they may unitetheir great abilities in giving to the children of the poor a Chris tian education. I have purposely said a Christian education, be-cause though I approve the professed liberality of Mr. Lancaster’ssystem, and esteem him to be perfectly sincere and well-meaningin his undertaking, yet thinking it impossible that the humanmind can long remain a rasa tabula with respect to religion, Iwish it to be early impressed with the principles of the Christian religion, as far superior to the philosophy of ancient or thetheism of modern times, as a rule of moral conduct.
“ I am, with the greatest esteem and good wishes,
“ Your faithful servant,
“ R. Landaff.”
The following is a letter to Lord Carysfort, who had informedme that he had been writing what he called his creed. I haddesired him to send it to me, promising at the same time to considerit with my most serious attention.
“ My dear Lord, Calgarth Park, 30th Sept. 1811.
“ When you mentioned to me your creed, I had no expectationof your sending to me such lucubrations as I have received fromyou. They are very honourable to the industry and ability oftheir author, and I have known the time when I should with
3 z