ied by their horrid yellings, formed a scene the most
resembling our ideas of hell, that could well be imagined.
There was no appeasing the tumult, and we returned to our
lodgings. At midnight a number of them came thundering at our
door demanding more rum, of which we took no notice.

"The next morning they all seemed very much ashamed of the
disgraceful orgies in which they had indulged. There was a
law written in their own hearts, which told them that they
had done wrong. Three chiefs were appointed to call upon the
commissioners with an humble apology. With downcast looks
they confessed their fault, and then with logic which more
intelligent men sometimes use, endeavored to throw the blame
upon God. In remarkable speech one of them said,

"'The Great Spirit, who made all things, made everything for
some use. Whatever use he designed anything for, that use it
should be always put to. Now, when he made rum, he said, "Let
this be for the Indians to get drunk with! and it must be
so."'"

The Governor at this time appointed Franklin a Justice of Peace.
Franklin says he was much flattered by these accumulating honors. Soon
he was elected to a seat, as one of the Legislators in the Assembly.
Mainly through his influence, a hospital for the sick was established
in Philadelphia. Though the measure encountered much opposition, he
carried it; and the institution proved of incalculable benefit.

The Rev. Gilbert Tennent solicited Franklin's aid in raising money for
building a Meeting House. As Franklin had been so continually engaged
in asking for money for various objects of benevolence, he was afraid
he should become obnoxious to his fellow-citizens, and declined. Mr.
Tennent then requested him to give him a list of the names of those
influential persons upon whom it would be well for him to call. Every
Christian minister who reads this, will appreciate the nature of his
embarrassment. Franklin says that he thought it would be unbecoming in
him, after having emptied the purses of his friends, to send other
beggars to them, with renewed importunities. This request he therefore
declined. Mr. Tennent then urged him to give him some advice.
Franklin replied,

"That I will willingly do. In the first place, I advise you to apply
to all those who you know will do something; next, to those who you
are uncertain whether they will give anything o