Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-09-29
resigned his breath, finding an early


tomb through has own indiscretioDs ;
leaving me with ruined constitution,
the victim oil sorrow and hardships ny
frame was unable to bear. Driven iron.
habitsuon to habltation, was tain to
take up my las; abode here; and heaven
has surely directed you hither to receive
my last wish-my child-ake her
protect her-and oh !" she sunk back
Henry gently raised her up-but she
Was dead !
The litIle orphan now lives in Hen
RVS family. She sometimes visits the
grave oil her mother, but she is too young
10 reflect on the mlseres that may al
tend al nnhahhy marriage.
DR.. Franklin and Thomas Paine
When Pane was writing MS attacks on
the Christian Religion, he submitted b
part OF his manuscript TO DR.. Franklin,
Tor MS inspection and opinion. The
iaiiowing is the answer OF that Philoso.
pher:
Dear SRI have read your manu-
gumenl it contains against the particular
Providence, though you allow a general
Prov ldence, you strike al the foundation
oil all Religion. For without the BELT
of Providence that takes cognizance OF,
guards and guides, ano favors particular
persons, there is no motive to worship ,
Deity, to fear its displeasure, or 10 pra'
for its protection. will not enter mt
any discussion OF your principles, 'hougt
you seem to desire II. AT present
shall only give you my opinion, tina
though your reasonlngs ere subtle, ant
may prevail with some readers, you vii
not succeed so as TO change the genera
sentim enIs OF mankind on the subjeci
and the consequence OF printing this
piece will be great deal oil odiuu
drawn upon yourself, mischief to you
and no benef. to Others. IL e that spit:
| against the wind spils IN mis- own face
| Bui were you to succeed, do you ina
glne any good will be done by You
yourself may lind i, easy to live vir'u
Gus lite without the assistance afforded
by Religion; you have clear percep
| uob OF the advantages o! virtue, and tht
| disadvantages OF vice, and possess {
Strength OF resolution sufficient 10 ena
bic you to resist common temptations
But think how great portion OF man
kind consists Ut weak and ignorant mer
and women, aud OF inexperienced, in
coDsldsrate youth, OF both sexes, who
have need OF the motives of Religion It
restrain them from vice, TO support thei
virtue, and retain them in The practice o
il ill II becomes ha6itual, which is tn,
great point Tor It's security. And per
haps you are indebted to her originally
that is, to your elieious education, TO-
the habits OF virtue upon which yo,
now SO Justly value yourself. Yo,
might easily display your excellep
aients OF reasoning upon less hazard
Gus subject, and thereby obtain ranl
with our most distinguished authors
For among US it is not necessary, as .
mong the Hottentols, that youth, to b,
raised into the company OF men, shouI q
prove his manhood by beating his mo
Their. l would advise you, therefore
not to attempt Enchanting the tiger, bu
TO burn this piece before it Is seen by an,
other person, whereby you will saw
yourself great deal OF mor;iica tiol
from the enemies i, may raise agains
you, and perhaps good deal oil regre
and repentance. II men are SO wicket
with Religion, what would they be svith
out it,? | lntepd this letter itself as
hroof OF my friendship, and therefore
add no profession to IT.; bu: simply sub
scribe, yours,
B. FRANKLIN.