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: