Poor Family Papers, 1791-1921. John and Lucy (Tappan) Pierce. John Pierce to Benjamin Tappan, 1810-1814. A-132, folder 9, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

quarian Society. It is to be printed.

On Saturday, 22 Oct. Polly began to exhibit symptoms of a very violent cold. She however kept below, till friday, 28 Oct. when we induced her to betake herself to the chamber, and see Dr. A. Junr. Her symptoms were, for several days, to a high degree, alarming. She had regular chills and fever turns. The Dr. has been giving her powerful medicine, such as preparations of mercury, and put a smart blister on the back part of her neck. Yesterday and today, she has appeared convalescing. This day she ate some mutton broth with pork and turnips, and relished them without apparent injury. The Dr. thinks, that, with care, she may soon recover. Lucy did the work of the family, except hiring a woman one day to wash, till wednesday, when, as good providence ordered it, brother Homer and wife calling the day before, and offering their girl, I went and brought her down. But I forget, that Sarah is there to tell you all this and more. I hope, that she will behave well, and prove a comfort to you all. Lucy deliberated, whether she should send her, since Polly has been confined; but, like all other good mothers, determined at length to look more

to the benefit and gratification of her daughter, than to her own convenience. We have prepared a small bundle of articles, which were forgotten in haste, to send by the first conveyance; among others, some of Wrifford's blanks. I hope, the two sisters will strive to render each other, as well as all around them, happy, and write to their parents every opportunity. I shall wish Elisabeth to continue her text books and sketches of sermons. Sarah may send a regular journal of events. This will give them separate provinces. I cannot now write to them, nor to their [Aunt] Eliza, as you see by my letter, I write in [torn] haste. Since Sarah went away, Mrs Ta[torn] man is taken with the typhus fever, and Frances will move tomorrow (Saturday.) She yesterday rec'd 2 letters from her husband. He is well & doing well.

On tuesday, 1 Nov. I was at the opening of the New Chapel in Cambridge. The President made a short address and prayed. Then followed the exercises of Exhibition.

On thursday, 3 Nov. Dr. Parish preached a sermon before the Society for prop. the Gosp. &c. which, when printed, I will endeavor to send to you; and I will thank you for this year's Hamp. Miss. sermon, if printed. With love to mother, Eliza, the dear children, br Stoddard's & Edward's families, I remain,

&c. John Pierce.

91. 4 Nov. 1814.

[in center] Novr 1814 Mr Benjamin Tappan, Northampton.

NO. 93. Brookline, 28 Dec. 1814.

Dear Sir, I thank you for "the annual report of the Hamp. Miss. Society." I was sorry that the sermon was not published with it. You had a sermon before the Society for foreign missions published, last year. If the discourse of this season were published, I should be glad to see it. I regretted very much, that brother Edwards should return, without visiting us. Owing to this circumstance, I failed of writing by him. We had a cold Christmas, this year, but cold as it was, neighbour Walley rose at 3 1/2 in the morning, and went to the Catholick Church in Boston, I presume, with the view of recieving the Host, which, according to his adopted faith, does not merely represent, but is itself the [underlined] the real body and blood [/underline] of our Lord. To such absurdities are men led, when the human decisions of the dark ages are made the infallible standards of faith!!

He has lately lent me a French work, giving an account, how Bon'a, in the days of his prosperity, treated the Pope. With some parts of it I am vexed; with others I am amused. I feel the former sensation, on reading his answer to the Emperour in these terms. "You require, that all kinds of worship should be free, and publickly exercised. But I have rejected that article, as contrary to the canons, to the councils, to the catholick religion, to transquility of life, and to the happiness of society by the direful consequences, which would result from it." But with the following reply of the Pope I could not by be amused. "You demand, for the future, the abolition of celibacy, and require, that persons, consecrated to the publick offices of religion, should be allowed to marry. This article is directly opposed to holiness, and to the purity of the christian religion" &c. A good comment upon this reply of the Pope, I lately met in reading Robertson's history of Charles V, which was, that this Emperour stipulated with Pope Clement VII for the marriage of his [underlined' natural son! [/underlined] It is indeed ridiculous, if it were not to serious a subject to admit of such an epithet, to hear the Catholicks so srenuous in defending the celibacy of their clergy, when the abuser of the celibacy was one of the prominent circumstances, which game birth to the reformation. This day I have had a Lecture, on which occasion brother Homer has given us a Christmas sermon. Tomorrow, Mr. Thacker's new Stone Church is to be dedicated. I expect to carry Lucy. She will dine with one of her brothers; I am in-[torn]ited to dine with the Association at brother Thacher's. I anticipate a more precious ment[covered] than corporeal feast. Mr. Huntington is to lead in the musical exercises. He is about to be translated to Boston to set the tune at this new house, and to keep a day school +c. for all of which he calculates upon a compensation of 1500 Pan. I hope, he will not be disappointed. I wish to remind you, Sir, that this is my 9th [underlined] to [/underlined] you,, since the year began, while I have rec'd but 4 [underlined] from [/underlined] you, almost too great a disparity. Affectionately your's, John Pierce.

93 28 Dec. 1814.

[in center] Decr 1814

Mr. Bejamin Tappan,

Northampton.