copal Church, but adapted to his own conditions. In this he prays
for help in the points where he had found himself to be morally and
spiritually weak.

These petitions and resolutions show his inward struggles. They reveal
his ideals, and to fulfill these ideals became the end of his life. For
the acts of wrong which he had done in his period of adventures, and the
unworthy life that he had then led, he tried to make reparation. The
spiritual purpose of Benjamin Franklin had obtained the mastery over the
natural man. Honor was his star, and more spiritual light was his
desire and quest.

He married Miss Read, the young woman who had laughed at him when he had
entered Philadelphia eating his penny roll, with two rolls of bread
under his arm, and his superfluous clothing sticking out of his pocket.
He had neglected her during his adventures abroad, but she forgave him,
and he had become in high moral resolution another man now.

As a printer in Philadelphia his paper voiced the public mind and heart
on all which were then most worthy. To publish a paper that advocates
the best sentiments of a virtuous people is the shortest way to
influence in the world. Franklin found it so. The people sought in him
the representative, and from the printing office he was passed by
natural and easy stages to the halls of legislation.

So these resolutions to master himself may be regarded as another step
on the ladder of life. To benefit the world by inventions is a good
thing, but to lift it by an example of self-control and an unselfish
life is a nobler thing, and on this plane we find young Franklin
standing now. Franklin is the master of Franklin, and the influence of
Silence Dogood through the press is filling the province of
Pennsylvania. The paper which he established in Philadelphia was called
the Pennsylvania Gazette. In connection with this he began to publish a
very popular annual called Poor Richard's Almanac, about which we will
tell you in another chapter.

Right doing is the way to advancement--Franklin had this resolution; a
newspaper that voices the people is a way to advancement--such a one
Franklin had founded; and good humor is a way to advancement, and of
this Franklin found an expression in Poor Richard's Almanac which has
not yet ceased to be quoted in the world. It was the means of conveying
Silence Dogood's special messages to every one. It made the whole world
happier. Franklin, on account of the wise sayin