From Boyhood to Manhood | Page 8

a baby is no curiosity in your family," remarked the relative,
laughing. "Some men would think that fifteen was too much of a good
thing."
"A child is God's gift to man, as I view it, for which parents should be
thankful, whether it is the first or fifteenth. Each child imposes an
additional obligation upon parents to be true to the Giver as well as to
the gift. I am poor enough, but no man is poorer for a large family of

children. He may have to labor harder when they are young and
helpless, but in age they are props on which he can lean."
Mr. Franklin spoke out of the depths of his soul. He was a true
Christian man, and took the Christian view of a child, as he did of any
thing else. While some men are annoyed by the multiplicity of children,
he found a source of comfort and contentment in the possession. The
seventeenth child, which number he had, he hailed with the same
grateful recognition of God's providence that he did when the first was
born. Yet he was poor, and found himself face to face with poverty
most of the time. Each child born was born to an inheritance of want.
But to him children were God's gift as really as sunshine or showers,
day or night, the seventeenth just as much so as the first. This fact alone
marks Josiah Franklin as an uncommon man for his day or ours.
"If more men and women were of your opinion," continued the relative,
"there would be much more enjoyment and peace in all communities.
The most favorable view that a multitude of parents indulge is, that
children are troublesome comforts."
"What do you think of the idea of taking this baby into the house of
God to-day, and consecrating him to the Lord?" Mr. Franklin asked, as
if the thought just then flashed upon his mind. "It is only a few steps to
carry him."
It was Sunday morning, Jan. 6, 1706, old style; and the "Old South
Meeting House," in which Dr. Samuel Willard preached, was on the
other side of the street, scarcely fifty feet distant.
"I should think it would harmonize very well with your opinion about
children as the gift of God, and the Lord may understand the matter so
well as to look approvingly upon it, but I think your neighbors will say
that you are rushing things somewhat. It might be well to let the little
fellow get used to this world before he begins to attend meeting."
The relative spoke thus in a vein of humor, though she really did not
approve of the proposed episode in the new comer's life. Indeed it
seemed rather ridiculous to her, to carry a babe, a few hours old, to the
house of God.
"I shall not consult my neighbors," Mr. Franklin replied. "I shall
consult my wife in this matter, as I do in others, and defer to her
opinion. I have always found that her judgment is sound on reducing it
to practice."

"That is so; your wife is a woman of sound judgment as well as of
strong character, and you are wise enough to recognize the fact, and act
accordingly. But that is not true of many men. If your wife approves of
taking her baby into the meeting-house for consecration to-day, then do
it, though the whole town shall denounce the act."
There is no doubt his relative thought that Mrs. Franklin would veto the
proposition at once, and that would end it. But in less than a half hour
he reported that she approved of the proposition.
"Benjamin will be consecrated to the Lord in the afternoon; my wife
approves of it as proper and expressive of our earnest desire that he
should be the Lord's. I shall see Mr. Willard at once, and nothing but
his disapproval will hinder the act."
"And I would not hinder it if I could," replied his relative, "if your wife
and Pastor Willard approve. I shall really be in favor of it if they are,
because their judgment is better than mine."
"All the difference between you and me," continued Mr. Franklin, with
a smile playing over his face, "appears to be that you think a child may
be given to the Lord too soon, and I do not; the sooner the better, is my
belief. With the consecration come additional obligations, which I am
willing to assume, and not only willing, but anxious to assume."
"You are right, no doubt; but you are one of a thousand in that view,
and you will have your reward."
"Yes; and so will that contemptible class of fathers, who can endure
five children, but not _fifteen_,--too irresponsible to