"Why not? What is the matter with it?"

"It is highly scurrilous and defamatory," replied Benjamin; "but being at a loss, on account of my poverty, whether to reject it or not, I thought I would put it to this issue. At night when my work was done, I bought a twopenny loaf, on which I supped heartily, and then, wrapping myself in my great coat, slept very soundly on the floor until morning, when another loaf and mug of water afforded a pleasant breakfast. Now, sir, since I can live very comfortably in this manner, why should I prostitute my press to personal hatred or party passion for a more luxurious living?"

We have seen that Benjamin began to revise his religious opinions on his return voyage from England. He continued to reflect much upon his loose ways; and there is no doubt that his integrity, industry, economy, and desire to succeed in business had something to do with his moral improvement. He confessed that, along from 1725 to 1730, he was immoral, and was sometimes led astray; but his conscience made him much trouble, and, finally, it asserted its supremacy, and he came off conqueror over his evil propensities. A change from skepticism or deism to a decided belief in the Christian Religion, no doubt exerted the strongest influence in making him a better man.

In 1728 he prepared “Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion" for his own use every day. This was his ritual, beginning and closing with an humble prayer.

Three or four years later, he appears to have taken up this thought of a religious life anew; and he pre

pared a code of morals, perhaps a revision of his former Articles of Faith, wrote them out carefully in a blank book for use, as follows:

"I. 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.

66 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.

"13. HUMILITY.— Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

At one time he seriously thought of organizing a "United Party for Virtue," in connection with which he prepared this religious creed :

"That there is one God, who made all things.

"That he governs the world by his providence.

"That he ought to be worshipped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving.

"But that the most acceptable service to God is doing good to man.

"That the soul is immortal.

"And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter."

His letters to relatives and friends, from this time, contained strong words for the Christian Religion, and for the imitation of the virtues practised by its Author. Through his long and useful life, he continued to observe the doctrines and precepts that he named in the foregoing extracts. He was a delegate to the convention for forming a Constitution of the United States, which met at Philadelphia, May, 1787, and he introduced the motion for daily prayers, with remarks thus :

Our

"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. prayers, Sir, were heard; and they were graciously answered. All of us, who were engaged in the struggle, must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of con sulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time; and, the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that GOD governs in the affairs of

men.

And, if a sparrow can not fall to the ground

without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves. shall become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages."

We will only add here an epitaph that he wrote for his own monument at twenty-three years of age, supposed to have been a paper for the Junto:

"THE BODY

OF

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,

PRINTER

(LIKE THE COVER OF AN OLD BOOK,
ITS CONTENTS TORN OUT,

AND STRIPT OF ITS LETTERING AND GILDING),
LIES HERE, FOOD FOR WORMS.

BUT THE WORK ITSELF SHALL NOT BE LOST,
FOR IT WILL, AS HE BELIEVED, APPEAR ONCE MORE.
IN A NEW AND MORE ELEGANT EDITION,
REVISED AND CORRECTED

BY

THE AUTHOR.

XXXIII.

POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC.

SHALL have to publish an almanac to be in fashion," remarked Franklin to his old friend Coleman. "Every printer in this country issues one, so far as I know." From this point, we shall drop the Christian name, Benjamin, and use the surname, Franklin.

""

"A good theme to discuss in the Junto," replied Coleman. 'You would publish a better one than the country ever had, if you should undertake it.”

“I shall make one that differs from all issued hitherto, in some respects. I have devoted considerable thought to the subject, and have formed a plan, although it has not taken an exact shape yet in my own mind. I think I will bring it up in the Junto."

"By all means do it," added Coleman; "two or more heads may be better than one alone, even if the one contains more than all the rest."

"Much obliged," answered Franklin.

"It will aid

me essentially to mature my plans, to exchange views with the members of the Junto. I will introduce it at the very next meeting."

The subject was introduced into the Junto, as proposed, and every member hailed the project with delight. Franklin's paper had become the most popular one in the country, in consequence of the ability