I

religious principle. He witnessed other conduct among those who talked lightly of religion, which caused him to inquire, whether, after all, his parents were not in the right. He stayed away from Church, and devoted the Sabbath to study, which had a very bad look. Yet, he said, "I never was without some religious principle. never doubted the existence of a Deity; that He made the world and governed it by his providence ; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crimes will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter." He also subscribed something for the support of the only Presbyterian meeting in Philadelphia, and advocated the importance of sustaining public worship.

The minister called upon him, and counselled him to attend church, just when he was beginning to think better of it, and it had the effect to bring him out occasionally. Once he went five Sabbaths in succession. But the preacher was dull and uninteresting, so that Franklin was not well pleased; still he continued to attend occasionally, until, one Sabbath, the preacher took the following text: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report, if there be any virtue, or any praise, think on these things." The minister was usually doctrinal in his style of preaching, but now Franklin thought he would have something practical. Con

sequently he was sadly disappointed when he found that the discourse embraced only the following points:-1. Keeping holy 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 selfrighteous 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

"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 unavoidable.

"12. Chastity.

"13. Humility.-Imitate Jesus Christ and Socrates."

These are very good so far as they go, and they show that he studied to form a high character, although he had not yet attained to the height of the true Christian.

CHAPTER XXV.

CONCLUSION.

He was

WE have followed the subject of this volume from the time he paid too dear for his whistle, to the period when he was well established in business. We have seen what his character was as a PRINTERBOY, and hence his promise of success. not perfect by any means; on the other hand, he had marked failings. Yet, underneath the whole, we have discovered certain qualities that are indispensable to eminence in one's vocation. And now it remains to see, briefly, whether the principle we advocate was true in his case, namely, "that the boy is father of the man." To do this, we shall pass over a series of years, and take a succinct view of his position and influence in middle and advanced life.

It should be recorded first, however, that the difficulty between himself and his brother James was adjusted, ten years after his first visit to Boston. James had removed and settled in Newport, where he was fast declining in health, and Benjamin went thither to see him. Their past differences were forgotten, and their inter