Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-05-15
RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS OF FRANKLIN

~" u"y vi Sicdt duAie'y, PcipleAi
! ty and division of sentiment,in the con-
vention that framed the Constitution o.
I the United States, the venerable Dir.
Franklin rose and made the following
speech which, as indicating the true
source Of political wisdom, ought to be
in the memory and heart of every A
inerican citizen:
'Mr. President-The small progress
we have made, latter four or FIVE weeks
close attendance and continual reason
ings with each other-our different
sentiments on almost every question,
several of the last producing as many
noes as nays-is, melbinks, a melan-
cloly proof Of the imperfection Of the
human understanding. We, indeed,
seem to feel our want of political wis
dom, since we have been running all
about in search of it. We have gone
back to ancient history for models of
government, and examined the differ
emf forms of those republics which hav-
ingbeen originally formed with the seeds
Of their own dissolution, now no longer
exist, and we have viewed modern
States round Europe, bu, find none OF
their Constitutions suitable to cur cir
cu'nstances. In this situation of this
mbly-groping, as it were, in the
dark 10 find political truth, and scarce
able to distinguish it when presented tc
us--how has it happened, sir, that VIZ
have not hitherto once thought Of hum
bly, applying to the Father ofLights to
illuminate our understandings? In the
beginning of the contest with Britain,
when we were sensible Of danger, we
had daily prayers in this room for the
Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir,
were heard-and they were graciously
answered. All of us who Were engag~
ed in the struggle, must have observed
frequent instances Of a experimenting
Providence in cur favor. To that kind
Providence We owe this happy oppor-
tunity of consulting in peace on tie
means of establishing or future nation
al felicity. And have we now forgot
ten that powerful F7riends Or do we
imagine we no longer need his assis-
tance' l have lived, sir, long time:
and the longer live, the more convin-
cling proofs I see of this truth-that
GOD goreTns IN the affairs Of aaen!-->
And if sparrow cannot fall to the
ground without his notice, it is proba-
bic 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 labor i'll
vain that build it, l firmly believe
this; and also believe, that without
his concurring aid, We shall succeed
in this political building no better than
the builders of Babel; we shall be divi-
ded by our little, partial, local interests;
our projects will be confounded; and
we ourselves shall become reproach
and a by-word down to future ages
And what is worse, mankind may here
dittT. HON tuiS unfortunate itlStdECS,
despair of establishing government by
human wisdom, and leave it 10 chance,
war, and. conquest.
Il therefore beg leave 10 move, that
henceforlh prayers, inploring the assis-
lance of Heaven, and its blessings on
our deliberations, be held in this assem-
bly, every morning, before we proceed
to business;and that one or more of the
clergy of this city be requested to Off
ciate in that service
Putting ston Too Thick "A house
painter of our acquaintance has soma
mere lad, who occasionally assists him
indoing jobs. He used the brush dex-
terously, but unfortunately he had &C.
CURED the habit of putting it on too
thick The other day his father, after
having frequently scolded him for his