I read a question in Davie's "Sermons" the last Sunday which was this:-- Suppose a bird should take one dust of this earth and carry it away once in a thousand years, and you was to take your choice either to be miserable in that time and happy hereafter, or happy in that time and miserable hereafter, which would you choose? Write me an answer to this in your next letter.... I enclose you a little book called the "Christian Pilgrim." It is for both of you. We are all tolerable well except mama, though she is more comfortable now than she was. We all send a great deal of love to you. I must now bid you adieu. I remain your affectionate brother, S.F.B. MORSE. I am tempted to include the following extracts from letters of the good mother of the three boys as characteristic of the times and people:-- CHARLESTOWN, June 28, 1805. MY DEAR SON,--We have the pleasure of a letter from you which has gratified us very much. It is the only intelligence we have had from you since Mr. Brown left you. I began to think that something was the matter with respect to your health that occasioned your long silence.... We are very desirous, my son, that you should excel in everything that will make you truly happy and useful to your fellow men. In particular by no means neglect your duty to your Heavenly Father. Remember, what has been said with great truth, that he can never be faithful to others who is not so to his God and his conscience. I wish you constantly to keep in mind the first question and answer in that excellent form of sound words, the Assembly Catechism, viz:--"What is the chief end of Man?" The answer you will readily recollect is "To Glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Let it be evident, my dear son, that this be your chief aim in all that you do, and may you be so happy as to enjoy Him forever is the sincere prayer of your affectionate parent....