Comparison between Byrd and Jefferson

When comparing the tone of Byrd’s The History of the Dividing Line, and Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, Byrd reveals a condescending view, while Jefferson displays a positive and sympathetic view of Indians. Byrd sees Indian men as lazy, cruel, and barbaric. Referring to Indian men, Byrd states “they choose to continue their idleness and to suffer all the inconveniences…rather than to…defile their hands with labor.” Though Byrd is critical of the Indians, he is at times contradictory; he admits that Indians have some talents under their dark skins. Though Byrd believes that nurture and opportunity, not nature, that are important, he does not seem optimistic that Indians can improve themselves with the opportunity.

On the other hand, Jefferson’s tone is one of optimism. Jefferson defends the Indians from Mons. de Buffon’s harsh criticism of the Indian men’s lack of physical strength, sensitivity, and mental capacity. Jefferson attempts to be objective by stating that his information comes from reliable sources that are well acquainted with Indians and providing examples and explanations. In response to Bufon’s claim, Jefferson provides the example of Logan, who is everything that Bufon says that Indians are not. Jefferson explains that Indians are not hairy because they find hair to be disgraceful and that Indians produce less children because their lifestyle rather than a difference in nature. Jefferson seems to admire the Indians for the rarity of crimes in their society. Jefferson also appears sympathetic when he writes about the Indians losing their land due to “spirituous liquors, small-pox, war, and abridgement of territory.” Jefferson believes that Indians have the same capabilities as whites do; the difference between Indians and whites is nurture or opportunities for improvement. Describing Indians, Jefferson states “his vivacity and activity of mind is equal to ours in the same situation.” As Jefferson explains, Indians have only recently been introduced to letters; Jefferson seems to believe that with time Indians can improve just as the Northern Europeans had improved during Roman expansion.

"A Divine and Supernatural Light" by Jonathan Edwards

In “A Divine and Supernatural Light,” Jonathan Edwards describes the spiritual light as knowledge that is directly received from God and not from natural means such as rational thinking or physical sensation. In the sermon, Edwards’ use of imagery to describe the spiritual light gives the audience a better understanding of what the spiritual light is and how God utilizes reason to convey spiritual knowledge. Edwards uses imagery throughout the sermon to convey a deeper understanding of his points. In the sermon, Edwards explains that the spiritual light cannot be achieved by rational understanding or hearsay; the spiritual light is something that is felt in the heart as pleasure. Edwards states, “There is a difference between having a rational judgment that honey is sweet, and having a sense of its sweetness.” A person can reasonable believe that honey is sweet by its use as a sweetening substance or the fact that it attracts ants. However, only someone who has tasted honey knows the unique sweetness of honey, a taste that is different from sugar, another sweet substance. Edwards also points out that though the spiritual light cannot be derived from reason, God utilizes man’s reasoning abilities to convey divine truths. He associates reason with the use of “our eyes in beholding various objects, when the sun arises, is not the cause of the light that discovers those objects to us.” Without the spiritual light, the use of our eyes or our reason cannot visualize the divine truth. Edward also associates God as the Sun that shines this light, illuminating the divine objects so that they can be perceived by the eyes. The use of imagery in Edwards’ sermon allows that audience to better understand Edwards’ claims by giving the audience a visual interpretation of how spiritual knowledge is perceived through the heart as an inner feeling of delight and how the spiritual light is conveyed with the use of reasoning.

Intro

Hi! My name is Trang Nguyen. I am a junior and a Biology major, and I am applying to the School of Pharmacy.