SW_Sutcliff_Page_225

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.