I hope, therefore, that for our _own sakes_, as a part of the people, and for the sake of _our posterity_, we shall act heartily and unanimously, in recommending this constitution, wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts and endeavours to the means of having it well administered.
On the whole, sir, I cannot help expressing a wish, that every member of the convention, who may still have objections, would, with me, on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and making manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument.
"When ranting round in pleasure's ring, Religion may be blinded, Or if she give a random sting, 'Tis oft but little minded.
"But when on life we're tempest driv'n, A conscience's but a canker; A correspondence fix'd with heaven, Is sure a noble anchor."
The time is now at hand that Franklin must die. When that time approaches, or when only the chilling thought of it strikes the heart, how happy is he who in looking on the withered face or snowy locks of a dear friend, can enjoy the exulting hope that he is prepared for the awful change. This leads us to speak of doctor Franklin on a much higher subject than has yet engaged our attention. I mean his religion.
I have met with nothing in the life of any great man in our country about which there has been such universal inquiry, as about the RELIGION OF DR. FRANKLIN.
Some, who in despite of Christ and all his apostles, will "_judge their brother_;" and judge him too by the _letter_ which _killeth_, will not allow that Dr. Franklin had any religion at all, because, forsooth, he did not _believe_ and "_confess Christ before men_," in the manner they did. But others, construing the Gospel, as Christ himself commands, by "_the spirit_;" which teaches that, "_with the heart man believeth unto salvation, through love and good works_;" and that the right way of "_confessing Christ before men_" is by a _good life_.--These gentlemen tell us, that Dr. Franklin not only had religion, but had it in an eminent degree.
Most people seem inclined to judge of Dr. Franklin by these latter commentators, and wind up with the words of our great moral poet.
"For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight; His can't be wrong, whose Life is in the right."