401. Robert Southey to John May, [c. 24 April 1799] ⁠* 

My dear friend

My brother will send off his books to you immediately. they are only to be left with M^r Dash at the Navy Office. [1] 

Respecting Edward there is this to be ascertained. are the holydays at S^t Pauls at Whitsuntide or not? if they are, & it is the case at the great public schools this is holyday time. if you will be good enough to call on D^r Roberts [2]  you can learn this. Maber told me I had only to take Edward to the D^r, & introduce him as the boy of whom Mr Maber had apprized him. this was in 1796 – but in the last autumn he told me nothing more than <was> necessary. I wish to know where the boys are boarded & the expence. my Uncle seemed to think there were boarding houses as at Westminster, [3]  but as Maber had sent the apothecarys son [4]  there of his own parish I rather imagine that the foundation entirely supports the boys. he was eleven in December last. I am very desirous of removing him while the faults of his education are remediable.

The character <conduct> of Judas Iscariot affords an argument against Xtianity because he must have seen the moral excellence & the miraculous powers of Jesus, & in that case must have knowingly acted to his own damnation; a madness seemingly impossible. to this the answer may be that like his countrymen he might impute miracles to magic. Judas was evidently predestined to his guilt; the doctrine of universal restitution enables us to reconcile this to the Goodness & Justice of Deity – yet is it still a difficulty.

Another objection to Xtianity is the prophecy of Jesus which is explained to relate to the destruction of Jerusalem tho its obvious meaning is the end of the world. [5] 

The only other objection which has any weight relates to the Jewish dispensation. the extermination of the Canaanites & the human sacrifice of Agag. [6]  on this subject I know too little to do any thing but doubt. but it is possible for a Socinian to believe Xtianity & reject Judaism.

We will talk of these subjects, & as you have the advantage of D^r Heys [7]  correspondence we can have his opinion upon any question that puzzles us. the objections have weight, but they are nothing in the scale. there is no occasion to “throw the weight of hope into the scale of reason.” [8]  it preponderates without it.

God bless you.

yrs affectionately

R Southey.

I shall be in town Apr. 30.

Tuesday.