Two Colonial Writers

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the writings of Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin represent two opposite extremes of colonial thought; together, these two thinkers helped to cement the American character and nation. The author points out that Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is an example of the "Hellfire" religious revivalism, which exercised such strong appeal during the period; in contrast, to the extent that Franklin's piece, "Advice to a Young Tradesman" does touch on religion at all, it is a very different sort of religion described as Deism, which did not directly interfere in the actions of man. The paper concludes that Jonathan Edwards and his followers live in a world that, above all, is a world ruled by fear, a world in which one misstep can cause one to become lost forever; on the other hand, Benjamin Franklin sees hope and a promise of a better and brighter tomorrow, if only we grasp the opportunities, which are presented to us.

From the Paper:

"Whereas in Franklin's concept of human existence, a man or woman makes his or her own destiny, finds success as he or she may, in Edward's worldview, virtually every human being stands perpetually at the slippery edge of the Pit. For Edwards, it is only God's Grace that prevents weak human beings from sliding off over the edge at any given instant. Edwards feels that almost all human beings are inherently evil and selfish. They seek their own pleasure and forget their duty to God. While Benjamin Franklin counsels young men to put their resources to good use and to work as hard as they can, and very importantly, to create the appearance that they are working as hard as they can, Edwards strongly disagrees."

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