Jean-Ami Martin

This chapter looks at Jean-Jacques Rousseau's letter to Jean-Ami Martin on September 14, 1759. A reprinting of Jean Le Rond d'Alembert's response to the Letter to d'Alembert was accompanied by a response to d'Alembert from the Genevan clergy and by anonymous notes attacking their declaration. Martin had written a refutation of the notes and forwarded the manuscript to Rousseau. Ultimately, Martin followed Rousseau's advice to consult his fellow clergymen, who advised him not to publish it. In his letter to Martin, Rousseau says that “although I understand nothing of theology, it seems to me that to attribute divinity to Jesus Christ only by communication is to declare him purely a man.” He then thanks Martin for his confidence, declaring that reading Martin's work has redoubled his esteem and friendship for Martin.