fliction of woes which no
finite imagination can gauge, these very slave-holders declare with
one voice, that nothing would induce them to _reinstate the execrable
institution_. How much misery would have been averted, and what a
comparative paradise would our southern country now have been, if
before, instead of after the war, the oppressed had been allowed to go
free!]

CHAPTER XV.

_Life's Closing Scenes._

Advice to Thomas Paine--Scenes at Passy--Journey to the
Coast--Return to America--Elected Governor of
Pennsylvania--Attends the Constitutional
Convention--Proposes prayers--Remarkable speech--Letter to
Dr. Stiles--Christ on the Cross--Last sickness and death.

About this time some one, knowing Dr. Franklin's deistical views,
presented, for his opinion, a treatise denouncing the idea, that there
was any God, who manifested any interest in the affairs of men, that
there was any _Particular Providence_. Though Franklin did not accept
the idea, that Jesus Christ was a divine messenger, and that the Bible
was a supernatural revelation of God's will, he certainly did not, in
his latter years, deny that there was a God, who superintended the
affairs of this world, and whom it was proper to worship. It is
generally supposed that Thomas Paine was the author of this treatise,
and that it was a portion of his Age of Reason. Franklin, in his
memorable reply, wrote,

"I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the
argument it contains against a particular Providence, though
you allow a _general_ Providence, you strike at the
foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a
providence that takes cognizance of, guards and guides and
may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship
a deity, to fear his displeasure or to pray for his
protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your
principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall
only give you my opinion that, though your reasonings are
subtile, 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.

"I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchai