Chapter VIII Summary and Analysis

A new preacher named Mr. Whitefield arrived from Ireland in 1739. He preached hell fire and drew a large following. He build a large building meant for anyone of any sect or reason who had something to say to a large mass of Philadelphia's people. He moved on to Georgia, where he set up an orphanage for children whose indentured servant parents had died. Franklin noted the absence of a defense system in Pennsylvania. Franklin established a militia to protect the English colonies against the Spanish and French. There were many Quakers did not believe in war, but surprisingly few opposed the militia because the militia was created for defense.

In 1742, Franklin invented the Franklin stove, which became extremely popular, and which he refused to patent, saying people should have free access to something that improves their lives. Eventually, another...