Reading from Benjamin Franklin's letter to George Washington during the Constitutional Convention:
"In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how is it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings.
"And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs 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? We have been assured, Sir, the sacred writings, that except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build it.'
"I firmly believe this, and I also believe without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this partial building no better than the builders of Babel. We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
"I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this 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."
I find it incredible that this man of science and human understanding recognized the power of a Father in Heaven. His words become especially convincing in the second paragraph when he compares an event of little consequence such as a sparrow falling to the rise of the United States of America. His words appeal emotionally to each person’s patriotic and spiritual beliefs. The words of Franklin in this letter compel the assembly with such emotion that there seems to be no other logical choice but to pray for the assistance of Heaven.
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2 comments:
It truly is amazing how our country was founded by such great leaders like Benjamin Franklin. He was a very influential man and his words definately appealed to many people's emotions.
I can remember learning about the founding fathers of this country back in high school. I was impressed by how much they depended on the God for strength and guidance.
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