The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-01-13
From the st. Louis Republican.
Death Bed of DIR. Franklin.

From the ST. Louis Republican.
$3.50 Death Bed of DIR. Franklin.
Doubts have sometimes been expressed as
to the religious opinions of the American
cage and philosopher, but there is abundant
evidence that he lived and died christian
During his long residence in Philadelphia he
was regular worshipper in Christ Church, of
which the venerable Bishop White was
rector; and his letters to his family contain
many passages which afford satisfactory
proof that he was an humble and devout be-
lever. But all doubt on the subject is re-
moved by the simple and sublime manner in
which he yielded up his spirit at the last. an
affecting account of which We read many
years ago in an old Philadelphia newspaper,
and do not remember to have met with 1t
any where else We shall now reproduce it,
assured that it will be perused with an in
terest that will not be lessened by the plain
and homely style in which it is written
The narrator had heard that the Rev. DR..
Helmouth, of the German Reformed church,
anecdote of DR.. Franklin, and he waited on
him to learn it. Dr. III. said he would relate
it with great pleasure, but as be did not
| speak English very well, he referred him to
David Ritter, at the sign OF the Golden
Lamb In Front street, who would tell 1t
better. The gentleman immediately called
on Mr.. Ritter, who said:
YES, | will tell you all l know of it. You
must understand then, sir st of all, that al
ways had prodgious opinion of DR.. Franklin,
as the usefaAest man we ever had among US, by a
long way and 80 hearing that he was sick, |
thought | would go and see him. As l raped
at the door, who should come and open it but
old sarah HUMPHREYS. | was right glad to see
her, for | had known her for long time. She
was of the people called Friends; and good
sort % body she was too. The great people
set heap of store III her, for she famous
throughout the town for nursing and tending on
the sick. Indeed, many of them, l believe,
thought they could not sicken and die il they had
not old Sarah HUMPHREYS with them. Soon as
she me she said, "well, David, how dostg"
so, much alter the old sort, Sarah" said /,
'bUt that neither here nor there | am come TO
see DR.. Frauklin."
"Well them" said she, "thou art too late, for he
is just dead"
''AIack day." said /, "then a great man is
gone"
"Yes, indeed, said she, "and good one, too /;
for il seemed as If he thought the day went away
ii he had not done somebody a service. How
ever, David, said she, ''he is not the worse off
tor all that now, where he has gone to; but
come, as thee came to Benz amin Franklin,
thee shall See him yet" And SO she took me
into his room. As entered she pointed to
him, where he lay on his bed, and said, There,
did thee ever see ANYTHING look so natural ?"
And he did look natural, indeed. His eyes
were ciosed-hut that you he did not
breathe you would have thought he was III a
sweet sleep, he looked so calm and happy Oh
serving that his face fixed right towards the
chimney, l cast my eyes that way, and, behold
just above the mantle piece was noble picture.
o. 1t was noble picture, sure enough, 1t was
the picture of our Savior the cross
could not help calling out, BLESS US all,
Sarah said |, what's all this ~
What dost mean, David?" said she, quite
crusty.
why, how came this picture here, Sa al =
said you know that many people think he
MOI after this sort"
Yes, said she, Il know that toe. But thee
knows that many vino make a great fuss about
relIs ion have very little, while me who say but
little about it have good deal"
That's sometimes the case, l fear, Sarah
said /.
"Weil, and that the case" said She with
Benjamin franklin. But, be that as 1t NAV,
David, since thee asks about this great pic
tuTe, III tell thee how it came here. MANY
weekes ago, as he Law, he beckoDed me to him,
aud told mes f this ic Q, up STAIR, and begged
would bring it to hun. | brought it to him
lis face frightened up as he looked at it, and he
said, Aye, Sarah, there's picture worth look
| ing at! that's the picture of Him who came into
the world to teach men to love one anotncr.'-
Then, after looking it wistfully for some time,
he said, Sarah, set this picture up over the man
tie place, right before NE as lie, for like to
look at it. And when fixed it up, he looked
at it, ana looked at it very much; and indeed.
thou see>t, he died with his eyes fixed on it ~