Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-02-25

'ne age OF Rcast n, as well as all your othe
writings against the christian religion, ant
am at a loss 10 imagine how man of you
: good sense could have employed his talent
in attempting TO undermine what, to say
nothing OF its divine establishment, th,
wisdom of ages has deemed most conduciv,
TO the happiness of man. The christian
religion, sir"
"That's enough, sir, that's enough" sale
Paine, again interrup.ing him see wha
you would be about | wish to hear nc
more from you sir. My mind is made up
on that subject. l look upon the whole O.
the Christian scheme 10 be tissue of alb.
surdities and lies, and Jesus Christ TO be
nothing more than cunning knave and an
imposter."
F. Kohlmann here attempted 10 speak
again, when Paine with lowering coun-
tenance, ordered him instantly TO be silent,
and trouble him no more. 81 have told
you already that wish TO hear nothing
more from you"
"The Bible, sir" said F. Kohlmann, still
attempting to speak, sis sacred and divine
book, which has stood the test and the
criticisms of abler pens than yours; pens
which have made at least some show OF ar
gument, and"
"Your Bible," returned Paine, "contains
nothing but fables; yes fables and l have
proved il TO demonstration"
All this time | looked on the monster
with pity, mingled with indignation at his
blasphemies. l felt degree Of horror at
thinking that very short time he would
be cited TO appear before the tribunal of
his God whom he SO shotkingly blasphemed,
with all his sins upon him. Seeing that
F. Kohlmann had completely failed in
making any impression upon him, and that
Paine would listen 10 nothing that came
from him, nor would even suffer him to
speak, I finally concluded to try what effect
| might have. accordingly commenced
with observing :-"Mr. Paine, you will
certainly allow that there exists q God.
and this Coo cannot be Indifferent 10 the
conduct and actions Of his creatules.p 81
will allow nothing, sir" he hastily replied !;
81 shall make no concessions" "Weil,
sir, if you will listen calmly for one mo-
ment," said I, 81 will prove to you that
there is such being and will demon
strate from His very nature that He cannot
be an idle spectator OF our conduct" "Sr.
. wish to hear nothing you have TO say
see your object, gentlemen. is to trouble
me; I wish you to leave the room." This
he spoke in an exceeding angry tone, so
much so that he foamed at the mouth
"Mr. Paine," / continued, 81 assure you
that our object in coming hiher was pure
ly 10 do you good. We had no other
motive. We have been given 10 under
stand that you wished 10 see us, and we
are come accordingly; because it is prin-
ciple with US never to refuse our services
to dying man asking for them. But for
this we should not have come, for we new
obtrude upon any individual"
Paine on hearing this seemed 10 relax a
little; in mider tone of voice than be
had hitherto used, he replied; "You can
do me no good now-it is too late. have
tried different physicians, and their RENEE
dies have all failed. have nothing now
to expect" this he spoke with a sigh
shut steady dissolution. My physicians
have, indeed, told me as much" "You
have misunderstood me-" SAID l immediate
ly to him. awe are not come to prescribe
any remedies for pour bodily complaints; !;
we only come to make you an offer of our
ministry for the good Of your immortal
soul, which is in great danger of being for
ever cast off by the Almighty, on account
of your sins; and especially for the crime
of having viliiied and rejected His Son.
Paine, on hearing this, was reused into
fury; he gritted his teeth, twisted and
turned himself several times in his bed, ut
tering all the while, the bitterest impreca-
tions. firmly believe such was the rage
in which he was al this time, that il he had
had pistol, he would have shot one Of us; ;
for he conducted himself more like mad
man than a rational creature. "Begone,"
says he sand trouble me no more. was
in peace" he continued, "til! you came"
"We know better than that" replied F.
Kohlmann We know you cannot be in
peace, there can be no peace for the wick
ed. God has said IT," "Away with you,
and your God too; leave the room Instant
ly," he exclaimed, "all that you have ut-
tered are lies-fillhy lies and if | had
little more time / would prove it, as l did
about your imposter, Jesus Christ" "NIon-
ster," exclaimed F. Kohmadn, in burst
of zeal, "you will have no more time
Your hour has arrived. Think rather OF
the awful account you have already 10
render, and ask pardon food, and provoke
no longer his just indignation upon your
head" Paine here ordered US again 10
retire, in the highest pitch Of his voice,
and seemed very maniac, with rage and
madness. "Let US co." said to F. Kohl
mann; "we have nothing more 10 be done.
He seems to be entirely abandoned by
God further words are lost upon him."
Upon this we both withdrew from The
room and left the unfortunate man to his
thoughts. / never, before or since, bcheld
a more hardened wretch. .
This you may rely upon it, is a faithful
and correct account Of the transaction. j
remain your affectionate brother.
(Signedl BENEDICT, BP. Of Boston,
SEVERAL Of the leading capitalists OF New
York, with Messrs. Corcoran, of Washington,