Perhaps it is better that you should not think a great deal about religious questions until you become old enough to study scientific philosophy--because these questions ought to be studied in relation to society, in relation to history, in relation to law, in relation to national character, and in relation to science. Therefore they are very difficult. But if you should like to read the highest thoughts of Western people about _modern_ religious ideas, I can send you some little books which will show you that the highest religion agrees with the highest science. What I mean by the highest religion is the belief in eternal laws of right conduct. However, as I said, to think about these questions at all requires great study and much knowledge. I think the best advice I can give you in a general way is this,--Do not believe a new thing told you because it is told you; but think for yourself, and follow your own heart when you are in doubt. But remember that the _old_ things taught you have been valuable to society--and have been useful for thousands of years--so that we cannot despise them.
I send you a book of old Greek stories to read. Perhaps it will interest you. You will see from the stories how different the old Greek life was from modern life in many things. You must tell me, too, what books you like to read--novels, history, etc.; perhaps I shall be able to send you some from time to time.
Study well, and never be discouraged;--think only how to make yourself a noble and perfect man. And remember the best men in public life have generally been those who made plenty of mistakes and got into plenty of trouble when they were boys.
And never, _never_ be afraid--except of your own heart.
DEAR HENDRICK,--I have been waiting several weeks to tell you of an event which occurred later than I expected. Last night my child was born,--a very strong boy, with large black eyes; he looks more like a Japanese, however, than like a foreign boy. He has my nose, but his mother's features in some other respects, curiously blended with mine. There is no fault with him; and the physicians say, from the form of his little bones, that he promises to become very tall. A cross between European and Japanese is nearly always an improvement when both parents are in good condition; and happily the old military caste to which my wife belongs is a strong one. She is quite well.--Still, I had my anxiety, and the new experience brought to me for a moment, with extraordinary force, the knowledge of how sacred and terrible a thing maternity is, and how even religion cannot hedge it about sufficiently with protection. Then I thought with astonishment of the possibility that men could be cruel to women who bore their children; and the world seemed very dark for a moment. When it was all over, I confess I felt very humble and grateful to the Unknowable Power which had treated us so kindly,--and I said a little prayer of thanks, feeling quite sure it was not foolish to do so.