honourable endeavours, that they will, in the end,
be crowned with success.

In conversation this evening with Samuel Bryant

,
a son of the Judge of that name, he mentioned
that Doctor Franklin was an intimate friend of his
father and that in consequence there was a fre-
quent intercourse between the two families.
Amongst a number of anecdotes relating to the
Doctor, he recited one, respecting his religious
opinions, which appeared to me worth preserving:
It is as follows:--At the time the Doctor lay
near on his death-bed, he was visited by a young man
who had a great respect for his judgment in all
things; and having entertained doubts in his own
mind, as to the truth or the scriptures, he thought
that this awful period, afforded a suitable oppor-
tunity of consulting the Doctor on this important
subject. Accordingly he introduced it in a solemn
weighty manner, inquiring of the Doctor what
were his sentiments as to the truth of the scrip-
tures. On the question being put, although he was
in a very weak state and near his close, he replied,
Young man! my advice to you is, that you culti-
vate an acquaintance with, and a firm belief in the
Holy Scriptures; this is your certain interest.