The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
The Constitutional, A Amendment.


A joint resolution proposing an
Amendment TO the Constitution, ac
knowledging Almighty God, has been
introduced into both Houes of Con
gress, and been referred to the appro-
pirate Committees, Never before in
the history of the movement has this
point been reached. The bill was in.
troduced into the House by Represen:
tative Morse, of Massachusetts, and
into the Senate by Senator Frye, ol
Maine. 1t has been carefully prepared
by one who is familiar with the whole
question, and embodies all that the
most scrupulous advocate of the Script.
ure theory of civil government can de.
sire. The following is the full text OF
the bill
"Joint Resolution Proposing an
Amendment to the Constitution
of the United States:
"Resolved by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled,
two-lhirds of each House concurring
therein, that the following amended
form of the Preamble of the Constitu-
ton of the United States be proposed
for ratification by conventions in the
se> eral States which, when ratified
by conventions in three.fourths of the
States shall be valid as part of the
said Constitution, namely:
PREAMBLE.
"We, the people of the United States,
devoutly acknowledging the supreme
authority and just government of AL
mighty God in all the affairs of men
and nations; grateful to Him for our
civil and religious liberty !; and en-.
couraged by the assurance of His Word
to invoke His guidance, as Christian
nation. according to His appointed
way, through Jesus Christ, in order to
form more perfect union, establish
Justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty to ourselves
and our poslerity, do ordain and es-
tablish this Constitution of the United
States of America"
The introduction of the bill is due to
the efforts of DR.. II. H. George, who
has been sent to Washington, by the
National Reform Association, to es-
tabIish there Bureau of Legislative
Reform. The wisdom of this action is
thus at once apparent. OF course the
bill has not yet passed the ordeal OF
Congressional discussion and vote, but
the very fact of its introduction is most
encouraging. And some of the
leading members of both Houses
have already given assurance
of their earnest support. And tbs be-
lieved that the time is auspicious for
pressing the matter to a conclusion.
There is a growing conviction that
mere human wisdom is not adequate
to the emergency that is upon our ma.
ton to-day. The eyes of the Christian
people are beginning to turn to Him
for help, who has been the helper of
the nation in every time of its need.
And now, when the nation is begin
ming to realize once more the need oil
his special interposition, 20 deliver 1t
from national ruin, it Is an appropriate
time to urge the official authoritative
recognition of his relation TO the gov
ernment and nation. The Christian
people of the land have now the op-
bortunity to secure clear and perma.
nent basis in the fundamental law of
the land, for all "our Christian laws,
institutions and usages." Prayer to
God should be made continually by all
Christians, on this behalf. Petitions
will be prepared and distributed for
signature, that our national Legislators
may know that this is the desire of the
best portion of our citizenship. And
let every earnest worker for this cause
"Thank God and take courage. w.
J. Robinson, in Christian Statesman.