This work is one of Benjamin Franklin's earliest works describing his religious beliefs as a young man. In general, he concludes that there is a God who
deserves to be worshipped and that it is mankind's responsibility to worship him. He does not go so far as to accept Christ's deity, but generally
adheres to the Christian concept of God. Later in life, his views became somewhat more orthodox and he changed his mind about some of what he wrote
here that would be considered out of sync with mainstream Christianity, although he never claimed assurance that Christ was indeed divine.
Go here for a list of interesting Facts about Benjamin Franklin.
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IN TWO PARTS.
Here will I hold ------ If there is a Pow'r above us
(And that there is, all Nature cries aloud,
Thro' all her Works), He must delight in Virtue
And that which he delights in must be Happy.
Cato.
PART I.
Philada.
Nov. 20 1728.
First Principles
I believe there is one Supreme most perfect Being, Author and Father of the Gods themselves.
For I believe that Man is not the most perfect Being but One, rather that as there are many Degrees of
Beings his Inferiors, so there are many Degrees of Beings superior to him.
Also, when I stretch my Imagination thro' and beyond our System of Planets, beyond the visible fix'd
Stars themselves, into that Space that is every Way infinite, and conceive it fill'd with Suns like
ours, each with a Chorus of Worlds for ever moving round him, then this little Ball on which we move,
seems, even in my narrow Imagination, to be almost Nothing, and my self less than nothing, and of no
sort of Consequence.
When I think thus, I imagine it great Vanity in me to suppose, that the Supremely Perfect, does in the
least regard such an inconsiderable Nothing as Man. More especially, since it is impossible for me to
have any positive clear Idea of that which is infinite and incomprehensible, I cannot conceive otherwise,
than that He, the Infinite Father, expects or requires no Worship or Praise from us, but that he is even
INFINITELY ABOVE IT.
But since there is in all Men something like a natural Principle which enclines them to DEVOTION or the
Worship of some unseen Power;
And since Men are endued with Reason superior to all other Animals that we are in our World acquainted with;
Therefore I think it seems required of me, and my Duty, as a Man, to pay Divine Regards to SOMETHING.
I CONCEIVE then, that the INFINITE has created many Beings or Gods, vastly superior to Man, who can better
conceive his Perfections than we, and return him a more rational and glorious Praise. As among Men, the
Praise of the Ignorant or of Children, is not regarded by the ingenious Painter or Architect, who is rather
honour'd and pleas'd with the Approbation of Wise men and Artists.
It may be that these created Gods, are immortal, or it may be that after many Ages, they are changed, and
Others supply their Places.
Howbeit, I conceive that each of these is exceeding wise, and good, and very powerful; and that Each has made
for himself, one glorious Sun, attended with a beautiful and admirable System of Planets.
It is that particular wise and good God, who is the Author and Owner of our System, that I propose for the
Object of my Praise and Adoration.
For I conceive that he has in himself some of those Passions he has planted in us, and that, since he has given
us Reason whereby we are capable of observing his Wisdom in the Creation, he is not above caring for us, being
pleas'd with our Praise, and offended when we slight Him, or neglect his Glory.
I conceive for many Reasons that he is a good Being, and as I should be happy to have so wise, good and powerful
a Being my Friend, let me consider in what Manner I shall make myself most acceptable to him.
Next to the Praise due, to his Wisdom, I believe he is pleased and delights in the Happiness of those he has
created; and since without Virtue Man (*) can have no Happiness in this World, I firmly believe he delights
to see me Virtuous, because he is pleas'd when he sees me Happy.
(*) See Junto Paper of Good and Evil, &c.;
And since he has created many Things which seem purely design'd for the Delight of Man, I believe he is not
offended when he sees his Children solace themselves in any manner of pleasant Exercises and innocent Delights,
and I think no Pleasure innocent that is to Man hurtful.
I love him therefore for his Goodness and I adore him for his Wisdom.
Let me then not fail to praise my God continually, for it is his Due, and it is all I can return for his many
Favours and great Goodness to me; and let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please
Him, who is delighted to see me happy. Amen.
1. Adoration. 2. Petition. 3. Thanks.
Prel.
Being mindful that before I address the DEITY, my Soul ought to be calm and Serene, free from Passion and
Perturbation, or otherwise elevated with Rational Joy and Pleasure, I ought to use a Countenance that
expresses a filial Respect, mixt with a kind of Smiling, that signifies inward Joy, and Satisfaction, and
Admiration.
O wise God,
My good Father,
Thou beholdest the Sincerity of my Heart,
And of my Devotion;
Grant me a Continuance of thy Favour!
(1) Powerful Goodness, &c.
O Creator, O Father, I believe that thou art Good, and that thou art pleas'd with the Pleasure of thy Children.
Praised be thy Name for Ever.
(2) By thy Power hast thou made the glorious Sun, with his attending Worlds; from the Energy of thy mighty Will
they first received their prodigious Motion, and by thy Wisdom hast thou prescribed the wondrous Laws by which they move.
Praised be thy Name for ever.
(3) By thy Wisdom hast thou formed all Things, Thou
hast created Man, bestowing Life and Reason, and plac'd him in Dignity
superior to thy other earthly Creatures.
Praised be thy Name for ever.
(4) Thy Wisdom, thy Power, and thy GOODNESS are every where clearly seen; in the Air and in the Water, in the Heavens
and on the Earth; Thou providest for the various winged Fowl, and the innumerable Inhabitants of the Water; Thou
givest Cold and Heat, Rain and Sunshine in their Season, and to the Fruits of the Earth Increase.
Praised be thy Name for ever.
(5) I believe thou hast given Life to thy Creatures
that they might Live, and art not delighted with violent Death and
bloody Sacrifices.
Praised be thy Name for Ever.
(6) Thou abhorrest in thy Creatures Treachery and Deceit, Malice, Revenge, Intemperance and every other hurtful
Vice; but Thou art a Lover of Justice and Sincerity, of Friendship, Benevolence and every Virtue. Thou art
my Friend, my Father, and my Benefactor.
Praised be thy Name, O God, for Ever.
Amen.
After this, it will not be improper to read part of some such Book as Ray's Wisdom of God in the Creation or
Blacmore on the Creation, or the Archbishop of Cambray's Demonstration of the Being of a God; &c. or else spend
some Minutes in a serious Silence, contemplating on those Subjects.
Then Sing
Milton's Hymn to the Creator
These are thy Glorious Works, Parent of Good!
Almighty: Thine this Universal Frame,
Thus wondrous fair! Thy self how wondrous then!
Speak ye who best can tell, Ye Sons of Light,
Angels, for ye behold him, and with Songs,
And Choral Symphonies , Day without Night
Circle his Throne rejoicing. You in Heav'n,
On Earth, join all Ye Creatures to extol
Him first, him last, him midst and without End.
Fairest of Stars, last in the Train of Night,
If rather thou belongst not to the Dawn,
Sure Pledge of Day! That crown'st the smiling Morn
With thy bright Circlet; Praise him in thy Sphere
While Day arises, that sweet Hour of Prime.
Thou Sun, of this Great World both Eye and Soul
Acknowledge Him thy Greater, Sound his Praise
In thy Eternal Course; both when thou climb'st,
And when high Noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st.
Moon! that now meet'st the orient Sun, now fly'st
With the fix'd Stars, fix'd in their Orb that flies,
And ye five other Wandring Fires, that move
In mystic Dance, not without Song, resound
His Praise, that out of Darkness call'd up Light.
Air! and ye Elements! the Eldest Birth
Of Nature's Womb, that in Quaternion run
Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix
And nourish all Things, let your ceaseless Change
Vary to our great Maker still new Praise.
Ye Mists and Exhalations! that now rise
From Hill or steaming Lake, dusky or grey,
Till the Sun paint your fleecy Skirts with Gold,
In Honour to the World's Great Author rise.
Whether to deck with Clouds th' uncolour'd Sky
Or wet the thirsty Earth with falling Show'rs,
Rising or falling still advance his Praise.
His Praise, ye Winds! that from 4 Quarters blow,
Breathe soft or loud; and wave your Tops ye Pines!
With every Plant, in Sign of Worship wave.
Fountains! and ye that warble as ye flow
Melodious Murmurs, warbling tune his Praise.
Join Voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds!
That singing, up to Heav'n's high Gate ascend,
Bear on your Wings, and in your Notes his Praise.
Ye that in Waters glide! and ye that walk
The Earth! and stately Tread, or lowly Creep;
Witness if I be silent, Ev'n rain or Fresh Shade,
Made Vocal by my Song, and taught his Praise.
Here follows the Reading of some Book or part of a Book Discoursing on and exciting to MORAL VIRTUE
Petition.
Prel.
In as much as by Reason of our Ignorance We cannot be Certain that many Things Which we often hear
mentioned in the Petitions of Men to the Deity, would prove REAL GOODS if they were in our Possession,
and as I have Reason to hope and believe that the Goodness of my Heavenly Father will not withold from
me a suitable Share of Temporal Blessings, if by a VIRTUOUS and HOLY Life I merit his Favour and Kindness,
Therefore I presume not to ask such Things, but rather Humbly, and with a sincere Heart express my earnest
Desires that he would graciously assist my Continual Endeavours and Resolutions of eschewing Vice and
embracing Virtue; Which kind of Supplications will at least be thus far beneficial, as they remind me
in a solemn manner of my Extensive DUTY.
That I may be preserved from Atheism and Infidelity, Impiety and Profaneness, and in my Addresses to Thee
carefully avoid Irreverence and Ostentation, Formality and odious Hypocrisy,
Help me, O Father
That I may be loyal to my Prince, and faithful to my Country, careful for its Good, valiant in its Defence,
and obedient to its Laws, abhorring Treason as much as Tyranny,
Help me, O Father
That I may to those above me be dutiful, humble, and submissive, avoiding Pride, Disrespect and Contumacy,
Help me, O Father
That I may to those below me, be gracious, Condescending and Forgiving, using Clemency, protecting Innocent
Distress, avoiding Cruelty, Harshness and Oppression, Insolence and unreasonable Severity,
Help me, O Father
That I may refrain from Calumny and Detraction; that I may avoid and abhor Deceit and Envy, Fraud, Flattery
and Hatred, Malice, Lying and Ingratitude,
Help me, O Father
That I may be sincere in Friendship, faithful in Trust, and impartial in Judgment, watchful against Pride,
and against Anger (that momentary Madness),
Help me, O Father
That I may be just in all my Dealings and temperate in my Pleasures,
full of Candour and Ingenuity, Humanity and Benevolence,
Help me, O Father
That I may be grateful to my Benefactors and generous to my Friends, exerting Charity and Liberality to
the Poor, and Pity to the Miserable,
Help me, O Father
That I may avoid Avarice, Ambition, and Intemperance, Luxury and Lasciviousness,
Help me, O Father
That I may possess Integrity and Evenness of Mind, Resolution in Difficulties, and Fortitude under Affliction;
that I may be punctual in performing my Promises, peaceable and prudent in my Behaviour,
Help me, O Father
That I may have Tenderness for the Weak, and a reverent Respect for the Ancient; That I may be kind to my Neighbours,
good-natured to my Companions, and hospitable to Strangers,
Help me, O Father
That I may be averse to Craft and Overreaching, abhor Extortion, Perjury, and every kind of Wickedness,
Help me, O Father
That I may be honest and Openhearted, gentle, merciful and Good, chearful in Spirit, rejoicing in the Good of Others,
Help me, O Father
That I may have a constant Regard to Honour and Probity; That I may possess a perfect Innocence and a good Conscience,
and at length become Truly Virtuous and Magnanimous, Help me, Good God,
Help me, O Father
And forasmuch as Ingratitude is one of the most odious of Vices, let me not be unmindful gratefully to acknoledge
the Favours I receive from Heaven.
Thanks.
For Peace and Liberty, for Food and Raiment, for Corn and Wine, and
Milk, and every kind of Healthful Nourishment, Good God, I Thank thee.
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.
End of the first Part.
Epitaph
The Body of
B. 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 shall not be wholly lost:
For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more,
In a new & more perfect Edition,
Corrected and amended
By the Author.
He was born Jan. 6. 1706.
Died 1728
By the way, in case you were wondering, this work says Part 1 of 2 at the top, Ben Franklin never wrote, or never published anyway, the second part.
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