Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1875-11-23

9 word OF 1t for q long period before.
At length, a Testament was procured,
probably" Paine added, "also after
ward a Bible, and by the help'of some
quotations from other sources, / COM
posed the Age Of Reason which work
produced the effect designed; for the
prescription Of the book by the British.
Government rendered the French rul-
ers propitious toward me. Since that
period / have never concerned myself
about any religion; and it was only
your sentiments that made me advert.
to it; and hold no conversation up
on that subject, except with some
companions, toridicule the hypocritical
fanatics and their priestcraft."
In reply observed to Paine that l
was indebted to him for his frank il.
lustration of SO important point in
his personal history; that his unantc-
ipated confession, as he must perceive.
not only confirmed his general posi-
ton with regard to the willful igno-
rance Of all avowed unbelievers and
scoffer at religion; but that it also
would ever, hoped, be profitable
lesson to convince / e.of the gross ab-
surdity and wickedness Of men pre-
tending to discuss, whether orally or
by writing, topics Of which they knew
nothing; and Of attempting to explain
the most recondite subjects without
single qualification for the great and
arduous task. also observed that
the hopes Of Christian philanthropists,
and other friends of universal freedom,
had w,efully been disappointed by the
course of the French Revolution, but
that he had unintcntionally developed
the source of the whole agonizing dis
and public wickedness;
the scornlul rejection of the divinely
recorded code Of morals, and the con-
sequent unavoidable torrent of all ir-
religion i'll principle, and outrageous
practical ungodliness.
Ny remarks manifestly arrested his
attention-and we might have contin-
ned together much longer-when Mr..
B. entered, and having excused himself
for our detention, Mr.. Paine said, "Mr. B.
your friend here has given me the Sc
yerest personal castigation that / ever
received"
Having explained the matter, Mr..
B. replied, 81 expected nothing else, if
you happened to utter an opinion on
that point; but | am happy to per-
ceive that you both seem to be equally
good tempered about it." Never
better" answered Paine. "And | am
the last person to feel offense for any
to opinions, when pro-
voked the argument and retort."
AS Mr.. Paine grew older he became
less civilized ON the subject of Chris.
tianity! We separated and | never
saw him afterward, to my recollection,
he frequently made inquiries
Of my friend concerning me. and | re-
ceived letter from him, written in
his usually vigorous and terse style.
He has gone into the unchangihg
world; and during the forty years
which since have elapsed, have new
er met with one of those who ''sit in
the seat Of the scornfnl," that truly
possessed one jot or title more Of gen.
uine information concerning the Ora
cles Of God," or knew one particle
more concerning the historical and in4
ternal evidences Of revealed religion
than Thomas Paine; who averred that
from his youth he had never perused
the Holy Scriptures, except for the
purpose Of saving his life, and enhanc-