Montgomery County sentinel., 1877-12-07
Seletted Mistellaap.
DEATH OF THOMAS PAINE.

Mr.. Robert lngersoll, of Peoria, ILL.,,
lawyer and in6del, some time ago offered
one thousand dollars to any one who
would substantiate the report that Thos.
Paine, the author of The Age of
Reason" died in agony and fear because
of atheism The New York Observer,
without directly accepting the challenge,
broght forth the statements of several
persons, going to prove its affirmation,
that Paine for many years previous to
his death" lived a drunken and bestly
life," and "dicd drunken, cowardly
and beastly death" Mr.. Ingersoll,
through the medium of paper pub
lished at his place of residence, replied
to the article in the Observer, and main
tained that Paine expired TRANQUILITY,
holding to the last the religious opionions
be had published.
Rt. Rev. Benedict Joseph Fenwick,
s. j., who was the second Bishop of
Boston, and died August II, 1916, was
called to the death-bed of Thomas Paine,
and went, accompanied by father Kohl
man. In letter to his brother, Bishop
Fenwick describes the interview. After
telling how Father Kohlman failed to
make any impression on the dying man,
he tells how he took up the conversation !:
"Well, sir, if you will listen calmly
for one moment" said |, II will prove
to you that there is such Being; and
| 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, is
to trouble me. | wish you would leave
the room"
This he spoke in an exceedingly an
cry tone so much SO that he foamed at
the mouth.
"Mr. Paine" I continued, II assure
you our object in coming here was purely
to do you good we had no other motive
We had been given to understand that
you wished to see us, and we have come
accordingly. because it is principle
with us never to refuse our services to a
dying man asking for them But for
this we would never have come, for we
never obtrude upon any individual"
Paine, on hearing this seemed to relax
a little ln milder tone of voice than
he had hitherto used, be replied
"You can do me no good now-it is too
late. | have tried different physicians,
and their remedies have failed. [ have
nothing now to expect" (this he spoke
with sigb) "but a speedy dissolution
My physicians have told me as much"
You have misunderstood me" said
to him; 1--WE have not come to pre-
scribe any remedies for your bodily COM
plants, VIC 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 having vilifed and rejected His
Word, and uttered plasphemies against
His Son."
Paine, on hearing this, was aroused
to fury be gritted his teeth, twisted
and turned himself several times in his
bed, uttcring all the while the btterest
imprecations. firmly believe, such
was the rage in which he was at this
time, that if he lad had a pistol he
would have shot one Of us for he con-
Quoted himself more like a madman than
a rational creature.
"Begone," ;" says he, "and trouble me
no more" He continued: f: Il was in
peace before you came"
''Be knows better than that" replied
Father KohIman 1--WE know that you
cannot be in peace-there can be no
peaca for the wicked God has said it,"
Away with you and your God, too
leave the room instantly" he exclaimed
''all that you have uttered are lies filthy
lies, and if had little more time would
prove it, as did about your impostor.
Jesus Christ"
"Mon teri" exclaimed Father Kohl
man, IN burst of zeal, "you will have
no more time. Your hour has arrived.
Think rather Of the awful account you
will have to render. and implore pardon
Of God /; provoke no longer His just in
1igDation upon your head"
Paine here ordered US again to retire,
10 the highest pitch of his voice, and
seemed very maniac with rage and
madness.
Let us go, "said | to Father Koblman,
''we have nothing more to do here. He
seems to be entirely abandoned by God.
Further words are lost on him"
Upon this we withdrew from the room,
and left the unfortunate man to his own
thoughts never before or since be-
held a more hardened wretch This, you
may rely upon ii, is faithful and cor
rect account Of this transaction"
This letter goes to show, at least, that
Paine died as he lived an in6del.