Daily National Intelligencer

Dr. Franklin's Parable against Persecution

The following beautiful imitation of the historical style of the Old Testament, was written by Dr. Franklin, and by him communicated to Lord Kames.

And it came to pass after these things, that Abraham sat in the door of his tent, about the going down of the sun, And beheld a man bent with age, coming from the way of the wilderness, leaning on his staff. And Abraham rose and met him, and said unto him, turn in, I pray thee and wash thy feet, and tarry all night: and thou shalt arise early on the morrow and go on thy way. But the man said Nay: for I will abide under this tree. But Abraham pressed him greatly: so he turned, and they went into the tent; and Abraham baked unleavened bread and they did eat. And when Abraham saw that the man blessed not God, he said unto him, wherefore dost thou not worship the Most High God, Creator of heaven and Earth? And the man answered and said, I do not worship thy God, neither do I call upon his name: for I have made to myself a God, which abideth always in my house, and provideth me with all things. And Abraham's zeal was kindled against the man, and he arose and fell upon him, and drove him forth with blows into the wilderness. And God called upon Abraham, saying Abraham, where is the stranger? And Abraham answered and said, Lord he would not worship thee, neither would he call upon thy name: therefore have I driven him out from before my face into the wilderness. And God said, have I borne with him these hundred ninety and eight years, and nourished him, and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me: and could not thou, who art thyself a sinner, bear with him one night.