Every Friday night, a Junto member had to lead the gathering with “one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy, to be discuss’d by” the “junta,” which is Spanish for “assembly.” Meetings took place either in local taverns or in members’ private residences. Some of Franklin’s guiding questions for the meetings were published posthumously in his “Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces.” These five give us a glimpse of the wide range of topics up for discussion:

“Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? Or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?”
“What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? Of imprudence? Of passion? Or of any other vice or folly?”
“Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?”
“Have you lately heard any member’s character attacked, and how have you defended it?”
“Is there any difficulty in matters of opinion of justice, and injustice, which you would gladly have discussed at this time?”

Discussion was meant to help members reflect on their failures and accomplishments, think of ways to assist one another, and refine their thinking. In addition to enriching conversations, attendees also had to write essays on “Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy.” Every three months, they read the essays to their Junto peers, who offered critiques and suggestions on content, style, and other noteworthy details.

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