BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
THE DELEGATES CAME TO THE CONVENTION BECAUSE THEY SUFFERED UNDER A GOVERNMENT THAT WAS TOO WEAK. Yet previously Americans had fought a revolution because they chafed under a government that was too strong.
THE NATION LIVED IN A NEARLY CONSTANT FLUX OF FEARS THAT IT WOULD CEASE BEING A NATION ALTOGETHER OR BECOME TOO MUCH OF ONE.
PEOPLE FEARED BOTH ANARCHY AND TYRANNY.
THE ISSUE OF REPRESENTATION AND THE NUMBER OF VOTES EACH STATE WOULD HAVE THE CONVENTION DEADLOCKED.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WROTE THAT HE ALMOST DESPAIRED OF EVEN REACHING AN AGREEMENT.
TO EASE TENSION BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SUGGGESTED THAT THE DELEGATES BEGIN EACH DAY WITH A PRAYER.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON QUIBBLED OVER EVEN THAT SAYING THEY DID NOT NEED “FOREGIN AID.” (The help of God.)
FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S SPEECH AT THE CONSTITUTION CONVENTION: June 27, 1787
“IN THIS SITUATION OF THIS Assembly… how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?
Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?
I have lived a long time, sir and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth:
That God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid.?”…
“Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this. I therefore beg leave to move – that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in the Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.”
American Rhetoric.com
As written history affirms (not the changed history now promoted),
The Constitutional Convention obeyed this exhortation from Franklin, and the breakthrough was swift that led to a Constitution which was truly God breathed and God blessed.
THE PAINTING ON THE WASHINGTON, D.C. ROTUNDA REFLECTS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE FOUNDING FATHERS PRAYING.
It has been the cornerstone of the blessings we’ve enjoyed since. Abandoning God is the source of our troubles, and returning to Him is the only remedy for the United States of America.
Blessings,
Pastor Valarie
