[Congress authorized a medal to be presented to fifty organizations which Benjamin Franklin supported. One of these was Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia. This is the address I gave when the medal was presented by US Senator Hugh Scott (R-Pennsylvania), January 28, 1956.]
Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.[Proverbs 22.29]
This verse from the book of Proverbs might well apply to Benjamin Franklin, whose birthday this month is being celebrated throughout the world. Arriving as a youth in this city [Philadelphia] with but two coins in his pocket, he yet rose to be one of the most prominent men in his day, whose influence extended over two continents, whose name was a byword in every mouth. He had an almost incredible range of interests, together with the abilities to match them. He was a printer, a journalist, a diplomat, a philosopher, a scientist, a man of letters, to speak but a little of his accomplishments. He was active to the last years of his long life, the majority of which were devoted to the public service, writing, meditating, giving freely to the world of the products of his genius.
Now what was the internal force which propelled this remarkable man along his chosen course? What set of ideals gave him the strength and determination needed for the many difficult and delicate tasks which he undertook with such outstanding success in London, In Paris, and at home?
Ben Franklin did not adhere to any specific form of religion, although he was not anti-religious, and felt that the adherents of religions often derived much benefit from them. We must give credit to the man that his heart and lips were at one. He never simulated a piety which he did not feel, although as a politician he may well have benefited thereby. In Franklin's religious makeup we may trace a gradual development. He was, after all, a child of the eighteenth century, and was in his youth much influenced by the demands of the age of reason, an age which came as a reaction to the often obscurantist and irrational stand taken by many religious people of the day. As a youth, he was a philosopher pure and simple, untouched by the demands of religion. Yet in the very last year of his life he was moved to declare a creed which is as religious a document as has ever been pronounced from a pulpit. It is Franklin's last legacy to humanity, and deserves close study. He declares:
Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the creator of the universe. That he governs it by his providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.
You know, my friends, almost every one of these points might have been taken from the classic declaration of Jewish faith as laid down in thirteen articles by the great Jewish philosopher-rabbi, Moses Maimonides. Apart from those points which spring from the singular historic experience of the Jews, it is all there: God's existence, his unity, and so on. The similarity is not mere accident. I said that Franklin was a child of the eighteenth century, and this is true; but something more needs to be said: he was a child of young America too, and young America had been vitally and fundamentally affected by Hebraic ideas, and Hebraic modes of thought. The ideals of the Hebrew prophets, the ordinances of Moses, made a deep and lasting impression on the structure of American society. When Franklin came to consider what his fundamental beliefs were, they stand revealed as a pure example of essentially Hebraic thought, containing some of the most basic ideas which Judaism gave to the world.
Perhaps when Franklin extended a helping hand to those of the Jewish faith, as he did on several occasions - perhaps he felt that he was doing more than just helping his fellow men. Between the two parties there was a spiritual link that stretched back to the time when the Hebrew went out from Egypt into the wilderness to seek God, and having found him, proclaimed his graciousness and mercy to the world. For that incident in the history of the Jewish people, and the wonderful ideas that sprang from it, have become part of the spiritual heritage of the American nation.
In those far-off days too, there commenced the ideal of freedom for which America has always stood. This ideal too found its inspiration in the biblical story of the exodus from Egypt, the prototype of all oppressors, a story which meant a great deal to Franklin and his friends. Fitting it is indeed that on this sabbath when we celebrate the memory of Franklin, and the signal honor conferred on our congregation through him, we should have read from the scroll of the law how the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, setting an example of freedom which inspired this country to follow it, and live in its spirit.
The broad spirit of tolerance with which Benjamin Franklin was imbued, found practical expression in a manner of special interest to us here today. When in 1788 the Mikveh Israel congregation fell on hard times, they sent out what they called a representation and solicitation to their friends of all faiths. The language of this document has a lesson of tolerance and humanity which is as fresh today as it was nearly two centuries ago. After reciting the background to their plight, the writers continue:
They are therefore under the necessity of earnestly soliciting from their worthy fellow-citizens of every religious denomination, their benevolent aid and help, flattering themselves that their worshipping Almighty God in a way and manner different from other religious societies will never deter the enlightened citizens of Philadelphia from generously subscribing towards the preservation of a religious house of worship. The subscription paper will be enrolled in the archives of their congregation, that their posterity may know and gratefully remember the liberal supporters of their religious society.
Philadelphia April 30th 1788.
They were not mistaken in their estimation of their fellow-citizens who responded generously to their appeal. At the head of the list stands the name of Benjamin Franklin, president of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In this expression of friendship to the members of a faith which had so often in other lands met with anything but friendship, he was joined by a number of othe prominent Philadelphians: by Peter Muhlenberg, a noted Lutheran leader; Thomas Fitzsimmons, a leading Catholic layman, then president of the Chamber of Commerce; David Rittenhouse, the astronomer and treasurer of the mint; Thomas McKean, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Hilary Baker, mayor of Philadelphia; William Rush, the first native-born sculptor; Jonathan D. Sergeant, attorney and congressman, and others too.
We of this congregation, the heirs of the men who framed that document have kept the pledge which they made for us. For this tribute to the liberality of the citizens of Philadelphia is one of our most treasured possessions, along with other documents, and old and historic ritual appurtenances, some of which we have brought out for this occasion, such as the Myer Myers bells which we used today, and the Seixas cup which we shall use after the service. We remember this day with gratitude the spirit of brotherly love shown to us by Benjamin Franklin and others, and but for which we should not be gathered here today, a spirit which pervaded Philadelphia in 1788, and which we trust and pray will ever be a characteristic feature of this city and this nation.
Today we extend a welcome to the friends who are visiting us on this occasion. Especially do we welcome among us Senator Hugh Scott, who will now present the medal to the Congregation.