The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-10-05
Origin OF tie Custom Of Opening with
Prayer.

Asa mart of the records Of the :" times that
tried mems sonls," we cannot omit TO refer
10 the action Of Benjamin Franklin, wheh nc
found the convention in great dllilculty as
10 the satisfactory settlement oil pehuihS
questions. He rose and said:
found in Eiiots Debates in the Federal Convention
June %, 1887, vol. 5, p 253I
Mr.. President, the small progress we
have made after four or i've weeks close az
tendance and continual reasoning WIN eash
other, our different sentiments on almost eN-
ery auestion-seyeral OF the last producing
as many noes as ayes---is, meihiAks. a mel
anchoiy proof Of the imperfectlon Of the hu-
man understanding. "
I've, indeed, seem to feel our want Of
political wisdom, since we have been run
ming about in search Of it. We have gone
back 10 ancient history for models oil Govern
ment. and examined the forms of those which,
having been formed with the seeds Of their own
dissolution, now no longer exist. And we
have viewed modern States all round Enrope,
bat find none Of their constitutions suitable 10
our circumstances. Ia this situation oi this
assembly, cropping, IS i we're, ~ the dafS
TO find political truth, and scarce able 70 dis-
tlnguish Il when presented 10 u, how has u
hapnened. sir, that we have not once thought
If humbly applying to the Father Of IL ht to
ILLUMINATE our understandings: 10 the be-
ginning Of the contest with Great Britain,
when We were sensible Of danger. ice had
GaiIy prayer in this room for Dira,e proise-
ZION. Our prayers. sir. we're heard, and they
we're graeiously answered.
|. All Of Us who we're engaged in the strug-
nhaarNa1 trpuuQnf instances
Sf 4 sunerintending Providence in our iavor'
To that kind Providence We owe the happy
opportunity Of consulting IN peace on me
means Of establishing our future national te-
lcity. And have we now forgotten that pow
efui friend: Or do we imsgne that We no
longer need his assistanceF
al have II, ed, sir, long time, and the
longer I live the more convincing proofs
see of this truth--ihat God gorern HE agalr'
Of naen and IL a sparrow cannot TAIL TO ths
ground withost Ills notice. Is il probable tina
"A Emnire can rise without His aidf W.
fave been assured, sir. in the sacred wrl
,ings. that except the Lord build the house
,h.y labor IN vain who build IT.. hIml,
believe this; and also believe that withou
His coneuuing AID we shall succeed IN thu
poiitieal building no better than me builder
of Babel. We shall be divided BY our litu
partial local interests; our projects VIII D
COMPOUNDED, and we ourselves shall becom
arrproach and by-wOrd down to future sge'
And. what Il worse, mankind may hereafter
from this unfortunate instance, despair u e.
tabii.hing governments By hnman wisdom
and leave il 10 chance, war aud conquest.
81, therefore, beg leave to move hs
henceforth prayers, implorins the sssistahe
OF Heaven, and blessings on our delioer"tioh
b. held 10 this assembly every morning D.
FIRE we proceed 10 business, aud that one
more Of the clergy Of his city be reqaests
10 afisiate 10 that service"
The motion was carried, and thus vas y
auesrated The custom of having prayers
tie opening u the sessions Of both houses
Congress.