Constitutional Convention - Our Lost Founding Archives

American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, Founding Documents, Founding Fathers, George Washington, The Common Thread of Our Lost Founding

Constitutional Convention Convenes at Independence Hall

On this day in 1787, delegates from every state except Rhode Island convened (appropriately) in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention.

The delegates met at what we now know as Independence Hall in order to compose the U.S. Constitution. That very building had earlier seen the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia delegate and Revolutionary War hero George Washington was elected convention president. In 1789, the U.S. Constitution became the law of the land.

The Affairs of Men

At the Convention, an 81 year old Benjamin Franklin, a delegate of Pennsylvania, appealed for prayers:

“I have lived a long time, 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?”

So, that quote, and his own sketch of the bifocals he invented, inspired the artwork for Our Benjamin Franklin “See… God Governs” t-shirt:

Get yours in Our Shop, HERE.

May 25, 2021/1 Comment/by Our Lost Founding

American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, Founding Documents, Founding Fathers, George Washington, The Common Thread of Our Lost Founding

Constitution Day : United States Constitution signed

On this day in 1787, 38 of 41 delegates in Philadelphia sign the United States Constitution, concluding the Constitutional Convention.

It was the first time in human history that a nation framed government with reasoned debate, and, perhaps, prayer.

During the convention, at 81 years old, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was elder statesman. As such, he urged the Assembly toward daily prayer to seek guidance from God:

“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?”

Builders

Then, the portion of the powerful paragraph we print on Our shirts:

“I have lived a long time, 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…”

Finally, we paired a portion of Franklin’s famous quote with his sketch of bifocals found in his personal correspondence. These elements inspired Our “Benjamin Franklin “See… God Governs” t-shirt design:

Previous US Constitution Posts

Please peruse Our previous posts on the Constitution and the Constitutional Convention below:

https://ourlostfounding.com/constitutional-convention-convenes/

U.S. Constitution: No debating “God governs…”

September 17, 2020/0 Comments/by Our Lost Founding

American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, Founding Documents, The Common Thread of Our Lost Founding

Benjamin Franklin Owns It

On this day in 1776, London’s St. James Chronicle announces that “The very identical Dr. Franklyn [Benjamin Franklin], whom Lord Chatham so much caressed, and used to say he was proud in calling his friend, is now at the head of the rebellion in North America.”

This confirmed Franklin’s position as an American leader, and he was instrumental in securing an the crucial alliance with France.

Cleverly crafting an argument for ratification of the newly written Constitution, Franklin wrote “A Comparison of the Conduct of the ancient JEWS, and of the ANTIFEDERALISTS in the United States of AMERICA.” He concluded it with this paragraph:

“I beg I may not be understood to infer, that our general convention was divinely inspired when it formed the new federal constitution, merely because that constitution has been unreasonably and vehemently opposed: yet, I must own, I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence, that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance to the welfare of millions now existing, and to exist in the posterity of a great nation, should be suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent and beneficent Ruler, in whom all inferior spirits live, and move, and have their being.”

“Convincing Proofs”

He did “own” it. After all, it was Franklin who, in 1787, urged the Assembly at the Constitutional Convention toward morning “prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on [their] deliberations.” In so doing, he made this famous quote:

“I have lived a long time, 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?”

Might we suggest that you “own” Our shirt commemorating that quote:

Benjamin Franklin “See… God Governs”

November 14, 2019/0 Comments/by Our Lost Founding