We just celebrated the 248th celebration of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence! Happy Birthday, America! I am sure you know that the Declaration of Independence was meant to be a list of grievances leveled against Great Britain for her being “deaf to the Voice of Justice.
Although the list of grievances comprised the bulk of the Declaration, the Founding Fathers made it clear that they respected and honored Great Britain but that it was now time for them to become an independent entity of 13 colonies. This was the foundation for the Constitution. They saw the need to make men aware that their personal rights and powers are first and foremost from God and not derived from their fellow men.
Over eleven years later, the founders met to discuss a form of cohesive government that would unite the colonies into one nation. Thus, they delivered to the world the first civilization in which the people determined how they would be governed by choosing among themselves men (today women) who could convert the necessities of civility to laws of regulation that would not usurp the peaceable lives of its citizenry.
There is much talk today of preserving our democracy. Our Founding Fathers did not view America as a democracy, having studied pretty much every form of recorded government known to mankind. They created a Constitutional Republic. This allowed the people to have power but not unlimited power so that a majority could not rule over the minority = (democracy). It allowed the government to guide through debate and balanced representation the need for civil order, thus greatly diminishing its power to rule over others in a Monarchy or Dictatorship.
We want to thank Pastor Allen Cook for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
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This is the most marvelous form of government that been created so far since mankind has begun. Its proof is in its sure standing for these many years, and instead of being diminished or demised, it has flourished. We often say there is a reason for everything. Well, I believe the reason we have stood as a nation that is a beacon of hope for the world is because in the foundation, we sought the care and protection of Almighty God from whom our freedoms and rights are given. Note the speech Ben Franklin gave when the gathering for the Constitutional Convention hit a real snag in the process:
“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? At 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 graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor….And have we now forgotten that 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 proofs I see of this truth: that GOD GOVERNS IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN. (emphasis, mine). 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 in the sacred writings that except the Lord build the House, they labor 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…and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. 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.”
Franklin’s motion was not addressed or voted on but the Convention did recess for three days to attend church and listen to leaders of the day. They gathered at the Calvinist Reformed Church in Philadelphia and were prayed over by Rev. Willam Rogers. Needless to say, after this brief hiatus, they began to make progress.
So many historical records and documents emphasize that the Founders (whether practicing Christians or not) invoked God’s wisdom and blessings upon the new Nation. Perhaps we should consider Franklin’s word as most appropriate for us in this dark hour.
Until Next Time…
