The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-09

seventeen. WHSu uS was l"ci'S
years old his schooldays were past
and he was apprenticed to his brother
as printers devil.
He was born in Boston, but mi,
grated early and arrived in Philadel-
phia with one dollar and twenty-five
cents, and no more, in his pocket.
Franklin was the best all-round
educated man that America has pro-
duced.
When he was forty-two he had &C
cumulated a fortune Of seventy-lYe
thousand dollars. 1t gave him an IN
come Of about four thousand dollars
a year, which he said was all he
wanted; so he sold out his business,
intending to devote his entire ener
gies to the study of science and lar
guages.'
He had lived Just one-half his
days, and had he then passed out his
life could have been summed up as
one of the most useful that ever had
been lived.
He had founded and been the life
of the Junto Club, the most sensible
and beneficent club of which I ever
heard. This club began with twelve
members, all printers. The mem
bership was increased, but finally, I
believe, was limited to forty. They
met weekly and read, talked and pre-
sented little essays by the members.
All of the original twelve men be-
came distinguished and successful
citizens.
The series of questions asked at
every meeting Of the Junto so mir
rored the life and habit of thought of
Franklin that we had better glance
at a few of them:
/: Have you met with anything in
the author you last read remarkable
or suitable to be communicated to
the Junto; particularly in history,
morality, physics. travels, mechani-
cal arts or other parts of knowledge?
.. Do you know of a fellow citizen
who has lately done a worthy action,
deserving praise and imitation; or
who has lately committed an error,
proper for us to be warned against
and avoid?
S. What unhappy effects of intem-
perance have you lately observed or
heard; OF imprudence, or passion, or
of any other vice or folly?
4. What happy effects of temper
ance, of prudence, or moderation, or
Of any other virtue?
5. Do you think of anything at
present wherein the members of the
Junto may be ~serviceable to man
kind, to their country. to their friends
or to themselves?
G.. Hath any deserving stranger
arrived in town since last meeting
that you have heard Of? And what
have you heard or observed Of his
character or merits? And whether,
think you, it lies in the power of the
,Junto to oblige him, or encourage
him as. he deserves?
Z. Have you lately observed any
encroachment on the just liberties of
the people?
8. Have you any weighty affair on
hand in which you think the advice
of the Junto may be of service?
8. Is there any difficulty in mat
tiers of opinion, of justice and injus-
tice, which you would gladly have
discussed at this time?
The Junto led to the establishment
by Franklin Of the Philadelphia Pub
of all public libraries in America.
He also organized and equipped a
fire company; paved and lighted the
streets of Philadelphia; established a
study of the French branches, which
evolved into the University of Penn
~sylvania, and founded the Philadel-
phia Public Hospital.
He was postmaster in Philadelphia,
and on account of his special kncwl-
edge of postal affairs was Postmas-
ter-General under President George
Washington.
Franklin wrote out the following
prayers, which were for a time re-
cited in concert on the opening of the
Junto Club meetings:
THAT 1 may have tenderness for
the meek; that I may be kind to my
neighbors, good-natured to my COM
panions and hospitable to strangers
Help me, o Cod"
That I may be AYERS to craft and
overreaching, abhor extortion and
every kind of weakness and wicked
ness-Help me, o God"
That l may have constant regard
to honor and probity: that I may pos
sess an innocent and good conscience,
and at length become truly virtuous,
magnanimous and helpful to my fell
low men-Help me, o Cod"
That I may refrain from calumuy
and d%etraction; that l may abhor de-
ceit, and avoid lying, envy and fraud,
iattery, hatred, malice and ingrati-
tude-Help me, o Cod"
The Junto experience fixed in
Franklin the study habit, the health
habit, the work habit, and these
things made him what he was.
What Franklin says in his auto.
biography about limiting member
ship in the Junto is interesting: "Our
club, the Junto, was found so useful