"Some writers have denied his political services, and have declared it impossible that a stranger at the outbreak of the Colonial struggle, he could have influenced public opinion in America; but such should remember that the contemporaries of Paine--and worthy men many of them certainly were who associated with Paine--judged differently, and not only freely circulated his writings but gave expression to their worth,... besides conferring on him the degree of M. A. (Pennsylvania University), and membership in their choicest literary association, the American Philosophical Society."--_McClintock and Strong's Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Cyclopedia_. "Let it not be supposed that Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Randolph, and the rest were carried away by a meteor. Deep answers only unto deep."--_Dr. Conway_. Drake's Dictionary of American Biography: "His powerful exertions to promote the independence of America constitutes a high claim upon the gratitude of his adopted country." Ignatius Donnelly: "Paine did a great work during the Revolutionary war in behalf of liberty and deserves to be forever remembered." McClintock and Strong's Biblical Theological and Ecclesiastical Encyclopedia, to quote again from this standard Christian authority, says: "The truth cannot be withheld that Thomas Paine was one of the most powerful actors in the Revolutionary drama.... His services to his adopted country should not be forgotten." "As the Tyrtaeus of the Revolution, and it is no exaggeration to style him such, we owe everlasting gratitude to his name and memory."--_Rev. Solomon Southwick._ John Spencer Bassett: "History cannot forget that he was an important promoter of the Revolution." "Paine's brawny arm applied the torch which set the country in a flame, to be extinguished only by the relinquishment of British supremacy; and for this, irrespective of his motives and character, he merits the gratitude of every American."--_Gen. William A. Stokes._ "No man rendered grander, service to this country, and no man ought to be more cherished or remembered than Thomas Paine."--_Rev. Minot J. Savage, D. D._ Paul Allen: "Those who regard the independence of the United States as a blessing will never cease to cherish the remembrance of Thomas Paine." "To the welfare of Thomas Paine the Americans are not nor can they be indifferent."--_James Monroe._ Hon. Elizur Wright: "It was Thomas Paine, more than any other man, or any other thing, who turned the current of history in the New World." Rev. John Snyder: "Paine did more than any other single man to create this nation. I simply speak what will some day be the sober judgment of history." "There was no man in the Colonies who contributed so much to bring the open Declaration of Independence to a crisis as Thomas Paine."--_William Howitt._ "He did more for the American cause and for American independence than any other man."--_Sir Hiram Maxim._