p. 91 | A SKEPTIC’S ADVICE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 14, 1876

A SKEPTIC’S ADVICE.

Benjamin Franklin was a deist, but had sense enough to see the banefulness of infidelity. When Thomas Paine sent him a portion of his “Age of Reason” for examination he wrote: “I have read your manuscript. You strike at the foundation of all religion. You will not succeed, so as to change the general sentiments of mankind on that subject. The consequence of printing this piece will be mischief to you and no benefit to others. He that spits against wind spits in his own face.

“You may find it easy to live a virtuous life. You have a clear perception of the advantages of virtue. But think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women and of inconsiderate youth of both sexes, who need the motive of religion to restrain them from vice. Perhaps you are indebted to your religious education for the habits of virtue upon which you now justly value yourself.

“I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger; but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person. If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be without it?”—Sel.