2. Ben Franklin's Prayer
The Constitutional Convention met at Philadelphia in the hot summer of 1787 to rewrite the Articles of
Confederation which had been so ineffective. The quarrels between the States were deep and divisive;
each state lowered or raised its own tariffs and coined its own money. There was no Union. The
delegates began to realize that they needed to do something more than patch up the Articles of
Confederation. It was a stormy convention. The northern states insisted upon representation according
to population; the southern states claimed representation should be based upon land under cultivation.
The small states feared they would be overwhelmed by the large states. It was only the strength of
George Washington's personality which held the Convention together. The debate over representation
grew more bitter and hopelessly deadlocked. At this crucial moment, Ben Franklin, 81 years of age,
rose and spoke quietly:
"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 answered. All of us who
were engaged in the struggle have observed frequent instances of 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 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 labour 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 interests; our projects will be confounded; and we shall become a reproach and a byword 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 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."
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