according to hudson, his early religious experiences shaped his later life. his father, a presbyterian, became a baptist when hudson was nine. six years later, his father became a quaker. the elder hudson's frequent changes of religion made his son a skeptic; hudson claimed disgust with the "failings and immoralities" of "many professing christians." later, however, he cited the french revolution as his religious "awakening". hudson was repelled by the uprising's violence and disregard for life; in 1798 he proclaimed himself a "political christian", and later a "speculative christian". from then on, hudson felt it his duty to lead a religious life. he was quiet about his beliefs, however: "my pride would not permit me to unburthen my soul to any living person. i hated company". in his writings, hudson cited the principles of "morality, religion, law observance and education" which may have influenced his later actions, including the settlement of land in the west.