Below is an excerpt from a speech by Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention in July 1797. After struggling for several weeks and making little progress on the writing of the Constitution, 81 year old Benjamin Franklin rose and addressed the President (referred to as Sir) and the rest of the troubled and confused convention.
This is what he said:
In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection.
Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answeredAll of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor....
And have we now forgotten this powerful 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 man.' 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 labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this.
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 interest; our projects will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword 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 or conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberation 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."
He then proposed that the Congress adjourn for two days to seek divine guidance. When they returned they began each of their sessions with prayer and this stirring speech marked a turning point in the writing of the Constitution.
Happy 4th of July everyone. May God bless this great nation of ours and always help us reminder on what/Whom it was established. God bless America!