The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-03-27
original Letter Of DR.. Franklin.


Regi'ter was written by DR.. Franklin to
Alex. Giles Fubishsf, with whom he cor.
responded for many years. It is believed
that il has never before been published, and
tits certainly very interesting as giving
view of the spirit of benevolence and ac.
tive usefulness by which Dr. Franklin was
governed, and also of the general tendency
of his religious opinions. We are greatly
indebted TO the friend who has allowed us 10
publish it.]
PHILADELPHIA, June 9Th, 1853.
Dear SiTs--I received your kind letter Of
the I'd instant. and am glad to hear you in
onase in srvngth-i hope sou will continue
mendng till you recover your former health
and firrnness--ALet me know whether, you
still Use the cold bath, and what effect i, has
AS TO The kindness you mention wish II
could have been of more service 10 you,
but if it had, the only thanks that should
desire is, that you would be equally ready to
eerve any other person that may need your
assistance. 81 SO lei good Offices go round,
for mankind are all of family.
+. For my own part when am employed in
serving others, do not look upon myself as
confering favors, but as paying debts. In
my travels, and since my settlement, | have
received much kindness from men to whom
| shall never have an opportunity to make
the least direct retumj and mum berless mer
cies from God who is infinitely above be-
ing benefited by our services.--Those kind
nesses from men, can only Return on their
fellow men; and can only show my graf
i,ude forthese mercies from God by readi-
ness to help his other children and my
brethren for do not think that thanks and
compliments, though repeated meekly, can
discharge our real obligations to each other,
and much less those TO our creator
You will in this see my notions OF good
works and that am far from expecting
Heaven by them. BY Heaven we under
stand state of happiness, infinite in degree
and eternal in duration. can do nothing
to deserve such rewards. He that for giving
adraught Of warer TO thirsty person should
expect TO be paid with good plantation,
would be modest in his demands compared
with those who think they deserve Heaven
by the good they do on earth. Even the
MKT, imperfect pleasures we enjoy in this
world, are rather from Gods goodness than
our merit, how much more SO then the fe-
licity of Heaven. For my own part have
not the vanity 20 think deserve it, the fol-
ly 10 expect, nor the ambition to desire it;
but content myself in submitting 10 the will
and disposal of Him that made me, who
has hitherto preserved and blessed me, and
in whose paternal goodness may we'll con.
.fide, that he will never make me miserable,
and that even the Affections may at any
time suffer shall tend 10 my benefit.
The faith you mention has doubtless its
Use in the world. do not desire to see it
diminished, nor would lessen it in any
man, but wish it was more productive Of
good works, works of kindness, charity,
mercy and public spirit; not holiday.keep
ing, sermon reading, or having performed
church ceremonies, or making long prayers
filed with batteries and compliments, despi.
sed even by wise men, and much less ca
pable Of pleasing the Deity. The worship
of God is duty, the hearing or reading Of
SERMONS maybe useful but if a man rests
IN hearing or praying as too many do, il is
as if tree should value itself upon being
watered and putting forth leaves, though It
never produced any fruit
Your great master thought much less Of
these outward appearances and professions
than many of his modern disciples; he pre-
ierred the doors ID the mere hearers the
son who seemingly refused to obey his faib-
er, and yet performed his commands, TO him
that professed his readiness, and yet neg.
lected the work; the herelical though char.
table Samaritan, ID the uncharitable though
sanctiEed priest, and those who gave food
to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, .raimen,
10 the naked, entertainment 10 the stranger,
and relief to the sick. though they never
heard Of His name. He declares shall be
in the last day accefted, when those WHO
cry Lord, lord, Sho value themselves on
their faith, though great enough TO perform
MIRACLES, but have neg lected to perform the
works Of benevolence, shall be rejected.
He professed he came not 10 call the righ.
teous but sinners 10 repentance, which i'm
Piled his modest opinion, that there were
some in his time SO good that they needed
not hear even him, but nowadays we have
scarce person who does not think it the
duty of every man within his reach to sit un'
der his wretched ministrations, and that
whoever omits them. offends God | wish
to such more humility, and to you, sir, more
health and happiness, being, &c.
d. FRANKLIN
V- We learn from the Lebanon Courier