The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-02-22
Franklin TO Paine.
DIssUADING HIM FROM PUBLISHING A
WORK OF AN IRRrIfGIoUs TEN
DENCY.

This letter was first published by
William Temple Franklin, but with
out the name Of the person to whom
it was directed. He probably tran
scribed it from a rough draft, in which
the name was not mentioned. 1t is
supposed to have been written to
Thomas Paine, and the circumstances
are such as to render this supposition
in the highest degree probable. In
the early part of the Revolution, Paine
was in the habit of consulting DR..
Franklin about his political writings,
and the latter is understood to have
aided Paine, at least by his suggestions
and advice, in preparing some of his
| celebrated essays. Paine was in Ame-
rica when DR.. Franklin returned from
France, and often consulted him re-
specting his private affairs and when
he went to Europe with his model of a
newly invented bridge, in which he
thought he had made essential i'm
proyements upon former inventions in
the art of building bridges, DR.. Frank
lin gave him letters of introduction to
the Duke de la Rochetoucauld, M. G..
Veillard, and some of his other friends
in Paris. 1t may be added, moreover,
that the remarks in the following let
ter are strictly applicable to the deisti-
cal writings which Paine afterwards
published.
DEAR SIR Il have read your manu-.
script with some attention. BY the
argument it contains against parti-
cular Providence, though you allow a
general Providence, you strike at the
foundation of all religion. For with
out belief of Providence that takes
cognizance of, guards, and guides, and
may favor particular persons, there is
no motive to worship Deity, to fear
his displeasure, or TO pray for his pro
lection. l will not enter into any dis
cussion of your principles, though you
seem to desire it. At present l shall
only give you my opinion, that, though
your reasonings are subtitle, and may
prevail with some readers, you will not
succeed so as to change the general
sentiments of mankind on that subject,
and the consequence of printing this
piece will be, a great deal of odium
drawn upon yourself, mischief to you,
and no benefit TO others. He that
spits against the wind, spits in his own
face.
But, were you to succeed, do you
imagine any good would be done by it!
You yourself may find it easy to live
a virtuous life without the assistance
afforded by religion you having a
clear perception of the advantages oi
virtue and the disadvantages of vice,
and possessing strength of resolution
sufficient to enable you to resist com
mon temptations. But think how
great portion of mankind consists o.
weak and ignorant men and women
and of inexperienced, inconsideratt
youth of both sexes, who have need O.
the motives of religion to restrain then
from vice. to support their virtue, and
retain them in the practice of it till i
becomes habitual, which is the grea
tpoint for its security. And perhap
you are indebted to her originally, tina
is, to our religious education, for tn
habits of virtue upon which you nov
justly value yourself. You nigh
easily display your excellent talents o
reasoning upon less hazardous object
and thereby obtain a rank with ou
most distinguished authors. For among
us it is not necessary, as among tn,
Hottentots, that youth, to be raise
into the company of men, shoul
prove his manhood by beating hi
mother.
I would ADVISE you, therefore, not t
attempt Enchanting the tiger, but t.
burn this piece before it is seen by an
other person whereby you will saw
yourself great deal of modification
by the enemies it may raise against yor
and perhaps good deal of regret an
repentance. If men are so wicke
with religion, what would they be will
) out it. | intend this letter itself as
/ proof of my friendship, and therefor
add no professions to it, but subscribe
simply your', B. FRANKLIN.