The Bible Tested | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 15, 1875

The Bible Tested.

DURING his protracted residence in Paris, Benjamin Franklin was once invited to meet a gay company, where most of the members of the court were present. By one of his bold strokes he made a deep impression, and gained applause by his frankness.

According to the customs of the country, after the usual ceremonies of the evening were over, the gentlemen engaged in free conversation, and the remarks of the company were directed against Christianity. They made the church ridiculous by every means in their power, and treated the Bible with unsparing severity.

They grew more and more excited in their sarcastic observations. One gentleman drew to himself universal attention, stoutly maintaining that the Bible was a book of impious lies, and without the slightest literary value. All the Frenchmen present heartily approved of this decision, but Franklin gave no sign of assent. Being at that time a favorite at court, it was not easy to endure the silent dissent of a man of his worth and influence. They all, therefore, asked his opinion. Franklin replied, in his usual way, that he was not exactly prepared to answer. But he had lately been occupied with the merits of a new book of remarkable excellence which he had just received; and as they had taken the liberty to make light of the literary merits of the Bible, perhaps they would be interested in comparing the value of his new purchase with it. If so, he would read them a short extract. They were all delighted to have the doctor read. With great formality he drew an old book from his pocket, and with the utmost impressiveness read them a poetical passage.

It had its effect. The admiring hearers said it was the best thing they had ever heard or read. "Beautiful!" said one. "How sublime!" said another. "There is nothing grander in the world!" was the general opinion. They all desired to know the title of the book, and whether this was a specimen of its contents.

"Really, gentlemen," said the doctor, chuckling over his triumph, "my book is full of such passages. It is no other than your despised Bible. I have read you the prayer of the Prophet Habakkuk, recorded in the 3d chapter."