Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-17

with it. The head of his bed was against the
side of the room through which the door opened:
F. Kohlmann having entered first, took his seat
on the side near the foot of his bed. l took my
seat on the same side nearer the head Thus, in
the posture in which Paine lay, his eyes could
easily bear on F. Kohlmann, but not on me easi-
! ly, without turning his head.
As soon as we had seated ourselves, T. Kohl
mann, in a very mild tone of voice, informed him
that we were Catholic priests, and were come,
on his invitation, to see him. Paine made no
! reply. After a short pause, F. Kohlmann pro-
ceeded thus, addressing himself to Paine, in the
French language thinking that as Paine had been
! to France, he probably acquitted with that
! language, (which was not the fact) and might
understand better what he said, as he had at
that time greater facility, and could express
! his thoughts in it than in English
mons Paine i'al lu votre l'vre intitule, L'Gye
de Ia Rdis0n on vous ayeZ attaquel ecriture sante
avec me violence sans boraes, ct dautres de voS
cerits publies en- France: ct je suis persuade
vue.' Paine here interrupted him abruptly
and in a sharp tone Of voice ordering him to
speak English thus 'Speak English, man,
speak English" F. Kohlmann, without showing
the least embarrassment, resumed his discourse,
and expressed himself near as follows, after his
interruption, in English .'Nr. Paine, I have
read your book entitled the Age of Reason, as
well as all your other writings against the chris
tian religion. and am at loss to imagine how
man of your good sense could have employed his
talents in attempting to undermine what, to say
nothing of its divine establishment, the wisdom
of ages has deemed most conducive to the hap
~ ,.-.,I,,r c5-
That's enough sir, that's enough said Paine,
again interrupting him Il see what you would
be about I wish to hear nomore from you, sir.
My mind is made up on that subject. l look up
on the whole Christian scheme to be tissue Of
absurdities and lies and Jesus Christ to be moth
ing more than cunning lznave or irnposter."
F. Kohlmann here attempted to speak again
when Paine with a lowering countenance. order
ed him instantly to be quiet, and trouble him no
more. 'sI have told you already that wish TO
hear nothing more from you"
..Thc Bible, SIR" said F. Kohlmann, still at
tempting to speak, SIS a sacred and divine book,
which has stood the test and the criticisms of
ADLER pens than yours pens which have made
at least some show to argument, and"
''Your bible" returned Paine, contains moth
ing nut laDGS tsi-ltf+a a--Ni iLfAt AN4h eN
it to a demonstration
All this time looked upon the monster with
pity, mingled with indignation at his blasphe-
mics. felt degree of horror at thinking that
in very short time he would be cited TO appear
before the tribunal of his God whom he so shock
ingly blasphemed, with all his sins upon him
Seeing that F. Kohlmann had completely failed to
make any impression on him, and that Paine
would listen to nothing that came from him, nor
would even suffer him to speak, l finally conclu-
ded to try what effect I might have. l accord
ingly commenced with observing Mr. Paine
you will certainly allow that there exists God,
and that this God cannot be indifferent 10 the
conduct and actions, Of his creatures" Il viii
allow nothing SIR" he hastily replied, Il shall
make no confessions" ''WeH. sir, if you will
listen calmly for one moment, >" said l, 'I viii
prove to you that fhere is such being, and l
will demonstrate from His very nature that he
cannot be an idle spectator of our conduct
''Sir wish to hear nothing you have to say
| see your object gentlemen, TO trouble me:
wish you would leave the room" This he spoke
in an exceedingly angry tone, so much so that he
foamed at the mouth. mir. Paine, II continued
Il assure that our object in coming hither was
to do you good We had no other motive. We
had been given TO understand that you wished to
see US, and we are come accordingly: because it
is principle with US never to refuse our serVi-
ccs to dying man asking for them. But for
| this we should not of come in, for we never OBJ
! trude upon any individual"
| Paine on hearing this seemed to relax little :;
| in mider tone of voice than he had hitherto
| used he replied ''You can do no good now-it
is too late have tried different physicians, and
! their remedies have all failed. / have nothing
| now to expect" this he spoke with sigh but
| a speedy dissolution. My physicians have indeed
| told me as much'' ''You have misunderstood
me-" said I Immediately to him. 1--WE are not
! come to prescribe any remedies for your 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 forever
| cast off by the Almighty, on account of your
sins and especially for the crime of having Will
! fed and rejected His Son" Paine on hearing
| this was rouscdnto fury he gritted his teeth,
! twisted and turned himself several times in his
bed uttering all the while the bitterest impreca-
! tions. 1 firmly believe such was the rage in
which he was at this time, that if he had had a
pistol he would have shot one of US, for he con-
Quoted himself more like madman than ra-
tional being. 'Begone" says he, ''and trouble
me no more was in peace" he continued, ''tlll
You came.' We know better than that" repli-
ed f. Kohlmann we knew that you cannot be
in peace-there can be no peace for the wicked
God has said it" Away with you and your
God too ; leave the room instantly" he exclaim
! ed call that YOU have uttered are Hes-filthy