the Sabbath-day. 2. Being diligent in reading the
Scriptures. 3. Attending duly public worship. 4. Partaking of the
Sacrament. 5. Paying a due respect to God's ministers. Franklin
thought that these subjects, though very good, did not belong to such
a text, and he was so dissatisfied with the sermon, that he ceased
attending.

Conscience, however, did not slumber. He saw and felt that he was
wrong, and, in order to make himself better, he began to lead a
self-righteous life. He imposed religious duties upon himself. He
returned to the use of a form of prayer which he prepared some time
before, when his thoughts were dwelling upon religious things. In that
prayer, under the head of "Thanks," occurs the following:--

"For the common benefits of air and light, for useful fire and
delicious water,--Good God, I thank Thee!

"For knowledge and literature, and every useful art; for my
friends and their prosperity, and for the fewness of my
enemies,--Good God, I thank Thee!

"For all thy innumerable benefits; for life, and reason, and the
use of speech; for health, and joy, and every pleasant hour,--My
good God, I thank Thee!"

He made a little book, in which he wrote down certain virtues that he
ought to cultivate, and prepared a table for the same. The following
were the virtues:--

"1. Temperance.--Eat not to dulness; drink not to elevation.

"2. Silence.--Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself;
avoid trifling conversation.

"3. Order.--Let all your things have their places; let each part
of your business have its time.

"4. Resolution.--Resolve to perform what you ought; perform
without fail what you resolve.

"5. Frugality.--Make no expense but to do good to others or
yourself; that is, waste nothing.

"6. Industry.--Lose no time; be always employed in something
useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

"7. Sincerity.--Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and
justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

"8. Justice.--Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the
benefits that are your duty.

"9. Moderation.--Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so
much as you think they deserve.

"10. Cleanliness.--Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or
habitation.

"11. Tranquillity.--Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents,
common or unav