in article 1129182815.118263.136880@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, Everfresh
at

I was re-reading these words of Ben Franklin in my book the other day,
and I am still stunned at the widsom this man displayed in the
Constitutional Convention at which he spoke. His words are almost
prophetic and can be seen displayed all around us in our current day...

"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 G. Britain, when we were
sensible of danger we had daily prayer 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 favor."

To this point, Franklin appealed to a sense of experience, which is
good advice. Has God ever let down one that trusted in Him without
doubt...Franklin will get to that in a minute.

"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 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?"

Here Franklin combined his own personal experience with scriptural
truth and appeals to common sense. It only makes sense that the
highest hope for a nation would be found in appealing to the highest
power in the universe.

"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 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."

That was the prophetic part I was speaking of. We see this division
everywhere today. Since we are no longer united in God, we are united
in nothing. Instead of equal people unifying around a creator of all.
We have unequal groups creating wealth and power for them at the
expense of others. Ben had it right.

"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."

If Ben had said this today, we'd be hearing of the most recent lawsuit
by the ACLU against Franklin for both this political and religious
speech and for the administrative rule he got passed calling for
government supported chaplains. Here's the thing..though. It's better
to offend a few with God as the nation's support than to support the
minority at the expense of losing God's aid.

If you didn't have the radio show and the book contract, how much
aid would you think God was giving you?


Paul