The Chautauqua News, 30 March 1909
Under the heading “Thomas Paine, a Prophet not without honor,” (which he said ought to be a “Prophet without honor,” because of the strange and universal prejudice against him,) C. E. Sheldon gave the 2d lay address on Modern Prophets, in the Universalist church Sunday evening. The paper was well conceived and well written and all present learned much they never knew before of the author of the sentence: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Thomas Paine was a patriot of the Patriots, the friend of Franklin and Washington, an intense lover of liberty. Mr. Sheldon spoke of his personal character, his patriotic work, his service in behalf of liberty in France, where he was imprisoned for months and by merest accident escaped the guillotine, and of his writings on religious themes.
The “Age of Reason,” was begun in the French Prison, when he felt himself deserted by both God and Man. The bitterness of its invective and the severity of its judgments, rather than its actual teachings, have made men forget Paine’s great service for human welfare.
Were he living here today and with his creed in his hand, as he laid it down on the opening pages of the book, it is doubtful if he would be debarred membership in any of our churches.
With the passing of the years and fading of old prejudices the dross will fade from men’s memories, leaving the pure gold of a really noble character revealed in clearer lines.
The next of the series, “Tennyson, England’s Prophet of Song” by Mrs. W. C. Watrous, will be given next Sunday evening.