Works 1608-1631 / Capt. John Smith ; edited by Edward Arber.

  • John Smith
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Works 1608-1631 / Capt. John Smith ; edited by Edward Arber. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/1144
    With these helpers should be associated J. F. Hunnewell, Esq., of Charleston, Mass., U.S.A., the present possessor of the • Spehnan Manuscript, reprinted at pp. ci-cxiv. In conclusion, the reader will please ever to remember that this book is rather a Biography than a History; and it will, we think, be found that Captain John Smith’s life was but a realization of that nobleness of character, which he thus so well described in i6i6. ' Who can desire more content, that hath small meanes; or hut only his merit to aduance his fortune, then to tread, and plant that ground hee hath purchased by the hazard of his life ? If he haue but the taste of virtue and magiianimitie, what to such a minde can bee more pleasant, then planting and building a foundation for his Posteritie, gotte from the rude earth, by Gods blessing and his owne industrie, without preiudice to any ? If hee haue any graine of faith or zeale in Religion, what can hee doe lesse hurtftdl to any, or more agreeable to God; then to seeke to conuert those poore Saluages to know Christ, and humanitie, whose labors with discretion will triple requite thy charge and paines ? What so truely su[i]tes with honour and honestie, as the discouering things vnknowne ? erecting Townes,peopling Countries, informing the ignorant, reforming things vniust, teaching virtue; and gaine to ourNatiue mother-countrieakingdomtoattendher: finde itnploy- inent for those that are idle, because they know not what to doe : so farre from wronging any, as to catise Posteritie to remember thee ; and remem- bring thee, euer honour that remembrance with praise ? pp. 20S-9. Then seeing we are not borne for our selues, but each to hclpe other, and our abilities are much alike at the houre of our birth, and the minute of our death: Seeing our good deedes, or our badde, by faith in Christs merits, is all we haue to carrie our soules to heauen, or hell: Seeing honour is our Hues ambition; and our ambition after death, to haue an honourable memorie of our life : and seeing by noe meanes wee would bee abated of the dignities and glories of our Predecessors; let vs imitate their vertues to bee worthily their successors, p. 229. May Almighty GOD, of His m.ercy, make us all, in our day, as. worthy in character, as skilful in action, and as eloquent with the pen, as was Captain John Smith of Willoughby. Edgbastoti, Birmingham) EDWARD Arber. 10 June, 1884.
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