which he did. He had committed
acts of social wrong. He had followed at times the law of the lower
nature instead of the higher. He had become intimate with two friends
who had led him into unworthy conduct, and over whom his own influence
had not been good. He saw that the true value of life lies in its
influence. There were things in his life that tended to ruin influence.
There were no harvests to be expected from the barren rocks of negation
and denials of faith in the highest good. Sin gives one nothing that one
can keep. He must change his life, he must obey perfectly the spiritual
laws of his being. He saw it, and resolved to begin.

Now began a struggle between Benjamin Franklin the natural man and
Benjamin Franklin the spiritual man that lasted for life. It became his
purpose to gain the spiritual mastery, and to obey the laws of
regeneration and eternal life.

Here are his first resolutions:

"Those who write of the art of poetry teach us that, if we would write
what may be worth reading, we ought always, before we begin to form a
regular plan and design of our piece; otherwise we shall be in danger of
incongruity. I am apt to think it is the same as to life. I have never
fixed a regular design in life, by which means it has been a confused
variety of different scenes. I am now entering upon a new life; let me,
therefore, make some resolutions, and form some scheme of action, that
henceforth I may live in all respects like a rational creature.

"1. It is necessary for me to be extremely frugal for some time, till I
have paid what I owe.

"2. To endeavor to speak truth in every instance, to give nobody
expectations that are not likely to be answered, but aim at sincerity in
every word and action; the most amiable excellence in a rational being.

"3. To apply myself industriously to whatever business I take in hand,
and not divert my mind from my business by any foolish project of
growing suddenly rich; for industry and patience are the surest means of
plenty.

"4. I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of
truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon
others, and, upon proper occasions, speak all the good I know of
everybody."

But there must be a personal God, since he himself had personality, and
he must seek a union of soul with his will beyond these mere moral
resolutions.

At the age of twenty-two he composed a litany after the manner of the
Epis