New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-28

toin-vhether he died Atheist, Dcist, or Ike
one almost persuaded to believe while incap-
able of believing, his closing days were
singularly unhappy. He had been in his
time n man of some importance, ana had
acted a considerable part in the affairs OF three
great States. He had achieved the honor OF
being prosecuted by an English Ministry. He
had been member, and by no means
an obscure one, Of the National Con
venton of France. He had been a contiden-
tial officer of the American Congress. lie hau
been patronized by Washington, and treated
with marked consideration by Jefferson Ills
political writings had done much to forward
the Declaration of independence, ana TO pre-
pare the public mind for its favorable recep-
tion. But his habits had worn out the
notience of all his distinguished and respect
able associates and now in country Viiiage'
almost alone, and with constitution entlrey
mined bv his excuses, he was slowly dying
What man says under such circumstances
must depend greatly upon his momentaiy
hnmor To some OF those visitors who were
brought by pity or charity to his bedside
Paine spoke very harshly OF Christianity ana
OF Christians; with others he seems to have
been more moderate in his language. Mary
Roscoe, young Quakeress, told Greiiet
that Paine spoke of his atheistlcal frlends
ms miserable comforters )" and what Mary
Roscoe said to Grellet may be ac-
cepted rs the truth, as well as Grellet's report
of il. She saws that she repeatedly heard INN
uttcrinc cries of ooh, Lord" and that he con-
fessed to her that Satan alone could nave
prompted him to write the age of Reason"
What he meant by this is uncertain
He NAV have regretted the publication as IN
furious 20 his temporal fortunes, since undouDt-
edy il had been so. He may have felt that
he had thrown away great chances for the sake
of gratifying his natural love of disputation.
He may even have been haunted by suSpi-
cion that bis book was mistake, theologlcaliy
considered For some reason, at any rate, an
alusion to it made by the religious woman
who had come to minister to his wants, gave
him little. pleasure. His memory may have
gone back to the days of his boyhood, when
he was led by bis mother in the
decent and orderly ways Of the Society OF
Friends, and he might naturally have con-
trasted his happiness then with his present
miserable condition. How far he felt that he
had been wrong in his religions speculations it
is impossible To say. His mind had been very
much weakened by his habits and we cannot
be sure that when his mind was at its best, he
heartily accepted the opinions f0f which he was
willing publicly to stand sponsor lie was never
a very hearty dlsbelieyer. He accepted SUI
preme Being, and he distinctly ayowed his
belief in "happiness beyond this life.' He
thought that Religious duties consisted in do
cling Justice, in loving mercy and i'll endeay-
" orng to make our fellow creatures happy
This was his theory, whatever may have
been his practice; and so far, upon his
death-bed, he had no anti-Christan sentiments
to recant.
The public has all the testimony which it is
likely to have concerning this mans ultimate
opinions, and a court of arbitration would not,
throw much light upon them. There
will always be those who, honestly influenced
by their dearest opinions, will attribute the
wreck Of Paines life to his want of religious
There will always be others who
will refer it to accident and to the ingratitude
of those whom he had faithfully served. But
nobody can deny that il was a wreck. All the
arhitrations in the world will not alter that
fact and as the American public. remember
ing his services when they were really OF great
value, is disposed to forget his errors of con-
duct and of opinion Colonel lngersoll clearly
does no friendly Office to his memory by his
somewhat bOsteTous patronage. Geographic
character is not to be settled by the offer of
wagers, however large; and mankind, in cases
of disputed reputation, can make up its mind
without erecting special tribunal for the pur-
pose of determining the merits or dement's OF
a man SO well known as Thomas PANE.