Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-01-27
NEWS AND MISCELLANY.
peafh Red Of DR.. Franklin.

Doubts have sometimes been express
ed as to the religious opinions of the
American Sage and Philosopher, but
there ia abundant evidence that he lived
and died Christian. During his long
residence in Philadelphia he was re-
gular worshiper in Christ Church, OF
which the venerable Bishop Whitewas
rector; and his letters to his family con-
tain many passages which afford salts
factory proof that lie was an humble and
devout believer. But all doubt on the
subject is removed by the simple and
sublime manner in which he yielded up
his spirit at the last, an affecting ac-
count of which we read many years ago
in an old Philadelphia newspaper, and
do not remember to have met with it
anywhere else. &sag =itsiE
We shall now reproduce it, assured
thatit will be perused with an interest
that will not be lessened 10y the plain
and homely style in which it is written.
The narrator had heard that the Rev.
DIR. Helmouth, of the German Reform
ed Church, Philadelphia, was in poses
sion of an anecdote of DIR. Franklin, and
be waited on him to learn it. DIR. III.
said he would relate it with great plea
sure, but as he 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
it better. The gentleman Immediately
called on Mr.. Ritter, who said:
Eyes, will tell You al l know of it.
You must understand tnen, sir. first OF
all, that always had prodigious opin
ion of DIR. Franklin, as the usefutest man
we have ever had among us, by a long
way; and SO hearing that he was sick, l
thought would go and see him. As
raped at the door, who should come
but old Sarah HUMPHREYS. was right
glad to see her, for had known her for
long time. She was of the people cal
led Friends; aud good sort of body
sh was too. The great people set a
heap of store in her, for she was famous
throughout the town for nursing and
them, believe, thought!they could not
sicken and die right if they had not old
Sarah HUMPHREYS with them. Soon as
she saw me she said:
'Well, David, how dost thou?"
80, much after the old sort, Sarah,
says /, but that's neither here nor
there; am come to see DR.. Franklin"
"Well then" said she, "thou art too
late, for he is Just dead9'
"Alack day!" said /, ''then great
man is gone. ;"
Yes, indeed" said she. sand a good
one too; for it seemed as if he thought
the day went away if he had not done
somebody service. However. David,
eaid she, che is not the worse off for all
that now, where he has gone to; but
come, a. thee came to see Benjamin
Franklin, thee shall see him yet" And
so she took me into his room. AS we
entered she pointed to him, where he
lay on the his bed, and said, "There.
did thee ever see anything so natural?"
And he did look natural, indeed. His
eyes were closed, but that you saw he
did not breathe. you would have
Thought ne was in a sweet sleep, he
looked so calm and happy. Observing
that his face was fixed right toward the
chimney, cast my eyes that way, and,
behold! just above the mantle-piece was
q noble picture. OFT was noble pic
ture, sure enough! 1t WAS the picture
of our Saviour ON the cross.
l could not help calling, "bless us all
Sarah?" said I, whats all ihis?"'
"What dost mean, David" said she,
quite crusiy.
"Why, how come this picture here.
Sarah?" said L; lyon know that many
people think he was not after this
sort"
YES" said she, 81 know that, too.
But thee knows that many who make a
great fuss about religion have very lit
tie, while some who say but little about
it have great deal.
That's sometimes the case, / fear,
Sarah" said /.
''Well. and that was the case" said
she, "with Benjamin Franklin. But be
that as it may, David, since thee asks
me about this great picture, I'll tell the
how it came here. Many weeks ago, as
he lay, he beckoned me to him, and
told me of this picture up stairs, and
begged I would bring it to him. His
face Frightening mp as he looked at it,
and said: AYE, Sarah, there's pic
ture worth looking at; that's the picture
of Him who came into this world to
teach men to love one another Then,
after looking at it wistfnlly for some
time, he said, Sarah, set this picture
up over the mantle piece, right before
me as lie. for like to look at it. Aud
when 1 fixed it up he looked at it very
much; and, indeed, as thou seest, he
,;,al 18th bic fvaI IN ~ -