LETTER (June 28, 1787) – Benjamin Franklin – Constitutional Convention
“Mr. President, the small progress we have made after four- or five-weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other – our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes and ayes, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.”
“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 has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of light to illuminate our understandings?”
“In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible to danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor…Have we now forgotten that power Friend? Or do we imagine 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, in the Sacred Writing, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it (Psalms 127.1).’ I firmly believe this: and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.
I therefore beg leave to move – that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business…”
References for the Letter
- Online Speech Bank: Benjamin Franklin’s Prayer Speech at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 (americanrhetoric.com)
- Ben Franklin’s Request for Prayer Printable – Flanders Family Homelife
- Constitution Alive! – Book – Wallbuilders
Bible Reference:
Psalm 127:1 – Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
If you want to see more evidence, visit Library Study View – WallBuilders
