United States of America, Christianity, and the world

For those who scoff at the idea of the United States having a Christian foundation, here is another piece of conveniently forgotten history.  The Constitutional Congress argued and debated and could not agree on a document that would lead the new nation that was in birth.  From the notes of James Madison, on the process of the Constitutional Congress, we find this entry.

Mr. President

The small progress we have made after 4 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 ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, some 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 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 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? 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 bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments be 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 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 the City be requested to officiate in that service.

via WallBuilders – Issues and Articles – Franklin’s Appeal for Prayer at the Constitutional Convention.

Benjamin Franklin wrote, in his own handwriting,  “The convention, except three or four persons, thought prayer unnecessary.” (The Works of Benjamin Franklin,  John Bigelow, footnote, pg. 378)

The Constitution that the founders wrote, under the guidance of God, has created the greatest republic the world has even known.  Had we not ignored or re-thought so much of it,  we might still be the greatest republic (not democracy) there ever has been.

We used the Bible to teach our children in the early public schools of this country.  Now they cannot even speak of God or Christianity, let alone quote the Bible in school.  How far we have fallen.  In my opinion, that fall has hurt not only the US, but the world.

May God forgive us.