Motion made June 28, 1787
Mr. President,
The small Progress we have made, after 4 or 5
Weeks’ close Attendance and continual Reasonings with each other, our
different Sentiments on almost every Question, several of the last
producing as many Noes as Ayes, is, methinks, a
melancholy Proof of the Imperfection of the Human Understanding. We
indeed seem to feel our want of political Wisdom since we have been
running all about in Search of it. We have gone back to ancient History
for Models of Government, and examin’d the different Forms of those
Republics, which, have been orig[i]nally form’d with the Seeds of
their own Dissolution, now no longer exist; and we have view’d 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
Lights to illuminate our Understandings? In the Beginning of the Contest
with Britain, when we were sensible of Danger, we had daily prayers in
this Room for the 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 Favour. To that kind Providence we owe this happy
Opportunity of Consulting in Peace on the means of establishing our
future national Felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful
friend? or do we imagine we no longer need its 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 Writings that "except the Lord build the House,
they labour in vain that build it." 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; we shall be
divided by our little, partial, local Interests, our Projects will be
confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and a Bye-word down
to future Ages. And, what is worse, Mankind may hereafter, from this
unfortunate Instance, despair of establishing Government 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 Blessing on our Deliberations, he 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.*
*"The convention, except three or four
persons, thought prayers unnecessary!" [Franklin's note.]
Transcribed into html from Jorgenson,
page 489.