Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-21
DaiIp kfrneh,r 5ournaI.
Words OF Franklin.


Aside from Benz. Franklin's greatness
in scientific research, and his valuable
services rendered to the colonies, his
moral nature deserves the highest consid-
GRAFTON and is well worthy OF emulation.
High excellence in purity of character
seems to have been the controlling inf1u-
ence of his life. One of his plans to
attain moral perfection, was the drawing
up of schedule of the moral virtues I'M
der thirteen heads, with brief precept
annexed to each. They are expressed as
follows: Temperance Eat not to dull
ness: drink not to elevation. Silence
Speak not but what may benefit others or
yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Order: Let all your things have their
places; let each part of your business
have its time. Resolution: Resolve to
perform what you ought; perform with,
out tail what you resolve. Frugal
ty: Make no expense but to dc
good to others, or yourself; that
is, waste nothing. Industry: Lose nc
time; be always employed in some.
thing useful; cut off all unneces
sary actions. Sincerity: Use no hurtful
deceit think innocently and justly; and
if you speak, speak accordingly. Justice
Wrong none by doing injuries or emitting
benefits that are your duty. Moderation
Avoid extremes; forbear resenting iniur.
les so much as you think they deserve
Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleaniness in
body, clothes or habilation. Tranquility
BE not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents
common or unavoidable. Chastity, HUI,
mility: Initiate Jesus, and Socrates.
These are each valuable for the high
sentiments they contain and afford much
food for thought, as maxims to guide the
young.
Franklin's parents were Calvinists and
he was trained accordingly, but in man
hood while he gave much attention to re.
ligion, he embraced no particular creed
although occasionally an attendant at di
vine worship. His belief is substantially
expressed in the ensuing words viz
That there is one God, who made all
things; that he governs the world by his
providence; that ne ought to be wor-
shipped by alteration, prayer and
thanksgiving that the most acceptable
service to God, is doing good to man
that the soul is immOrtal and that God
will certainly reward virtue. and punish
vice, either here or hereafter. While
he had some doubts of the divinity OF
Jesus, yet he believed his system of relig-
ion and morality as left by him, the best
ever taught; and that for himself he re.
lied solely on the goodness of God, with
out the slightest idea of meriting it.
In reference to the treatment of aged
people he SAYS AS having their own
&c Of hn 70 ~
life to old people, think their friends
should endeaver to accommodate them in
that. as in anything else. When they
have lived long in a house, it becomes
natural to them; they are almost as close,
ly connected with it as the tortoise with
his shell they die if you tear them out Of
it. Old folks and old trees, if you re.
move them, it is ten to one that YOU Kill
them.
While in London. Franklin made the
acquaintance of Miss Mary Stevenson
the daughter of his hostess of Craven st
Being of high moral worth, and possessing
unusual mental abilities, friendship
sprung up between them. While separa
ted, she and her distinguished friend ex.
changed several letters, relating chiefly to
her studies. One of these letters con.
tains suggestions on reading, which most
youthful readers would find it an advan-
tage to observe. He advises her to read
with pen in hand, and to enter in book
suitably prepared for the purpose, short
hints or abstracts of whatever she might
find striking, whether curious or useful,
us the best method of fixing them
in her mind, either for subsequent use,
il practically valuable, or, if relating
to rare and curious to adorn and improve
her conversation and moreover always
to have good dictionaries at hand for the
instant explanation of words not perfectly
understood, particularly terms of science
and art, so that no part of the authors
meaning may be lost, or knowledge rem
dered defective, and the mental percep-
tons impaired by any confusion of ideas