I found a copy of the original letter on an Apriarian sect here: http://memory.loc.gov/master/mss/mtj/mtj1/051/0500/0555.jpg.  This is addressed to Thomas B. Parker. My transcription is as follows.  I hope I got it right:  Monticello May 15, 1819 I thank you, Sir, for the pamphlet you have been so kind as to send me on the reveries, not [...]

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Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter once to Thomas B. Parker in which he considers proper religion.  He said:  Were I to be the founder of a new sect, I would call them Apriarians, and after the example of the bees advise them to extract the honey of every sect. My fundamental principle would be the [...]

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In 1798 and 1799 Thomas Jefferson had conversations with Dr Joseph Priestly and Dr Benjamin Rush on the topic of the Christian faith.  Jefferson was questioned about his own religious beliefs.  Jefferson put off his response until about four years later when he was serving as President.  He wrote a short outline entitled “Syllabus of [...]

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