The Irish standard., 1890-12-06
TOM PAINE.
Death Bed Of the Infdel--Bishop Fen
Wick's Letter.

W1Ck's Letter.
Bishop Fenwick. while on the mission
as priest in New York, was called tt
the death bed of the notorious Ton
Paine. in a letter to his brother, hi
gives graphic account Of his visit t.
Paine, and the impenitence of the
wretch. 1t was in 1869 that Father
Wenwick, accompanied by Father Kohl
man, went to the last residence OF Pavne
In Greenwich village. now West
Eleventh street, New York. He says
.sAs soon as we had seated ourselves
Father Kohlman. in mild tone OF
voice. informed him that We were
Catholic priests, and were come on his
Invitation to see him. Paine made nc
reply. After short pause Father Kohl
man proceeded thus. addressing himself
to Paine in the French language,
thinking that as Paine had been IN
France he was probably acquainted
with that language (Which, however,
was not the facs), aud might under
stand better what he said, as he had at
that time greater facility, and could
express his thoughts better in 1t than in
English,
.'Mons. Paine. j'ai lU votre livre intl-
tule, 'L'Age de la 8aison.' on vous ave2
attaque pecriture salnte avec une VIC
lence, sans bornes, ct d'autres de vos
acrits publics On France; ct jet suis per.
suade que"
Paine interrupted him abruptly,
and in sharp tone Of voice, ordering
him to speak English, thus:
"Speak English, man, speak Eng
fish,"
Father Kohlman, without showing
the least embarrassment, resumed the
discourse and expressed himself nearly
as follows, after his interruption, IN
English: :
"Mr. Paine, i have read your book
entitled the Age Of Reason as we'll as
other of your writings against the
Christian religion. and l amat loss to
imagine how man of your good sense
could have employed his talents in at
tempting to undermine what, to say
nothing of its divine establishment, the
wisdom of ages has deemed most con
ducive to the happiness OF men--the
Christian religion, sir"
''That's enough, sir; that's enough
said Paine, again interrupting him. Il
zee what you would be about; wish to
hear no more from you, sir. My mind
Is made up on that subject. Hook upon
the whole of the Christian scheme to be
a TISSUE of absurdities and lies, and
Jesus Christ to be nothing more than a
cunning knave and an impostor."
Father Kuhlman here attempted to
speak again, when Paine, with lower
inc countenance, ordered him instantly
to be silent and to trouble him no more.
81 have told you already tnat wish
TO hear nothing mere from you.''
.",rhe Bible, sir,' said Father Kohl
man. still attempting to speak, lis
sacred and divine book, which has stood
the test anu Lu0 CllGlSASAA VI s@OA.A k~AAo
than yours-pens which have made at
least some show of argument. and
"Your Bible" returned Paine, ICON
tains nothing but fables, and have
proved It to demonstration"
All this time I looked on the monster
with pity, mingled with i.d,enati0n al
his blasphemies. felt degree OF hor
ror at thinking that in very short time
he would be cited to appear before the
tribunal of his GOD, whom he so shock ,
ingly blasphemtd, with all his sins upon
him. Seeing that Father Kohlman had
completely failed in making any inn
preston upon him. and that Paine
would listen 10 nothing that came from
him. nor even suffer him to speak, l
finally concluded to try what effect |
might have. accordiDRlY commenced
with observing
IN Paine, you will certainly allow
4 sbat there exists God. and this God
4 cannot 10 Indifferent to the conduct
4 seldom of Hi Great nres. =