What did Franklin propose to open the convention with prayer?
Franklin (PA) then suggested in view of the small progress made and the different sentiments, that the Convention should be opened each day with prayer - as the Congress had been. Sherman seconded. Hamilton (NY) and others opposed the motion because the practice might rouse fears in the community.
What was the best motion brought before the Constitutional Convention?
This motion for prayer is probably the best known of the hundreds brought before the Convention. Some of the fame of this motion may derive from its incongruous source - Benjamin Franklin was, not among the most devout or formally religious of the delegates.
How many people thought prayers were unnecessary at the convention?
Even stranger, few convention attendees supported the proposal. A couple of devout delegates seconded his motion, but it fizzled among the other participants. Franklin scribbled a note at the bottom of his prayer speech lamenting, “The Convention except three or four Persons, thought Prayers unnecessary!”
What did Benjamin Franklin propose for the first meeting of Congress?
Several weeks into the proceedings, the octogenarian Benjamin Franklin proposed that the meetings open with prayer. “How has it happened,” he pondered, according to a copy of the speech in Franklin’s papers, “that we have not, hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our Understandings?”
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Was there prayer at the Constitutional Convention?
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.
Who called for daily prayer at the Constitutional Convention?
Benjamin FranklinThis motion for prayer is probably the best known of the hundreds brought before the Convention. Some of the fame of this motion may derive from its incongruous source - Benjamin Franklin was, not among the most devout or formally religious of the delegates.
What did Benjamin Franklin do at the Constitutional Convention?
In 1787, he was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention. (The 81-year-old Franklin was the convention's oldest delegate.) At the end of the convention, in September 1787, he urged his fellow delegates to support the heavily debated new document.
What did Ben Franklin say after the Constitution was written?
“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” Franklin said.
What was the result of the Constitutional Convention?
The result of the convention was the creation of the Constitution of the United States, placing the Convention among the most significant events in American history. The convention took place in the old Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.
Did the founding fathers pray?
On the surface, most Founders appear to have been orthodox (or “right-believing”) Christians. Most were baptized, listed on church rolls, married to practicing Christians, and frequent or at least sporadic attenders of services of Christian worship. In public statements, most invoked divine assistance.
What is the main point of Benjamin Franklin's Speech in the Constitutional Convention?
What is the main point of Benjamin Franklin's Speech in the Convention? The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because the document is as good as it is likely to be.
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitutional Convention took place from May 14 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The point of the event was decide how America was going to be governed. Although the Convention had been officially called to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, many delegates had much bigger plans.
What does Franklin encourage all members of the convention to do?
When the time came to sign the document, Franklin encouraged his fellow delegates to take this spirit of compromise to its conclusion by lending the Constitution their unanimous support, despite the fact that he himself did not approve of every aspect of the new plan of government.
How did Benjamin Franklin feel about the Constitution?
Speaking at the Philadelphia convention in September 1787, Benjamin Franklin offered his cautious and measured support for the new Constitution: “I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present.
Did Benjamin Franklin help write the Constitution?
While he was a member of the Second Continental Congress, Franklin worked at Independence Hall, where he helped write and then signed The Declaration of Independence. Franklin also worked at Independence Hall when he helped write the United States Constitution in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention.
What famous quote did Benjamin Franklin say?
“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.” “He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.” “There never was a good war or a bad peace.”
Did Ben Franklin help write the Constitution?
While he was a member of the Second Continental Congress, Franklin worked at Independence Hall, where he helped write and then signed The Declaration of Independence. Franklin also worked at Independence Hall when he helped write the United States Constitution in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention.
Did Ben Franklin agree with the Constitution?
Speaking at the Philadelphia convention in September 1787, Benjamin Franklin offered his cautious and measured support for the new Constitution: “I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present.
What did Benjamin Franklin do in the Declaration of Independence?
Benjamin Franklin primarily served as the editor of the Declaration of Independence. His changes were believed to have been minimal, but, when the document went before the entire Continental Congress, the draft was more thoroughly changed by the larger body from Jefferson's original text.
Who was the youngest delegate at the Constitutional Convention?
Jonathan DaytonBenjamin Franklin, 81, was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention; Jonathan Dayton, 26, was the youngest.
Why did Franklin and Hamilton oppose the Fourth of July sermon?
Sherman seconded. Hamilton (NY) and others opposed the motion because the practice might rouse fears in the community. Williamson (NC) remarked that the Convention had no money to hire a chaplain. Randolph (VA) proposed a fourth of July sermon instead; Franklin seconded. The Convention then managed to adjourn without voting on the motion.
Why was the motion for prayer so famous?
This motion for prayer is probably the best known of the hundreds brought before the Convention. Some of the fame of this motion may derive from its incongruous source - Benjamin Franklin was, not among the most devout or formally religious of the delegates. Some of it may derive from the timing - at the end of a day of heated, even ill-tempered, debate. Some of it probably derives from its susceptibility to improvement, such as the legend that Hamilton argued against the motion because the delegates were competent to transact the business entrusted to them and did not need to call in foreign aid. In the end, it was a firm Presbyterian minister who voiced the strongest argument. Hugh Williamson (NC) noted that the Convention had no funds and therefore couldn't offer honoraria.
Why did Hamilton argue against the motion?
Some of it probably derives from its susceptibility to improvement, such as the legend that Hamilton argued against the motion because the delegates were competent to transact the business entrusted to them and did not need to call in foreign aid.
Who proposed a fourth of July sermon instead of a chaplain?
Williamson (NC) remarked that the Convention had no money to hire a chaplain. Randolph (VA) proposed a fourth of July sermon instead; Franklin seconded. The Convention then managed to adjourn without voting on the motion. This motion for prayer is probably the best known of the hundreds brought before the Convention.
Who wrote "I am not at liberty to say what is done or doing in convention"?
William Blount (NC) wrote from Philadelphia to his brother in Washington, N.C.: "I am not at Liberty to say what is done or doing in Convention but I can say things are so much in Embryo that I could give you no Satisfactory account if I was ever so much at Liberty.
Who said the government should be formed for the states?
Luther Martin (MD) finished the speech he had started yesterday, arguing that the General Government should be formed for the states and therefore they should be represented equally.
Who opposed the Equal Vote?
Williamson (NC) opposed the motion - if the states were equally sovereign now and parted with equal proportions of sovereignty - they would remain equally sovereign. Madison (VA) also opposed it - even Brearley (NJ) and Paterson (NJ) had agreed an equal vote was unjust to the larger states. Sherman (CT) observed that it wasn't a question of natural rights, but one of how rights may be guarded in society. The question was postponed at the request of the Deputies of New York.
Who said the Convention except three or four people thought prayers unnecessary?
Franklin scribbled a note at the bottom of his prayer speech lamenting, “The Convention except three or four Persons, thought Prayers unnecessary!”. If Franklin truly was a deist, he wasn’t a very good one.
Who proposed that the meetings open with prayer?
Several weeks into the proceedings, the octogenarian Benjamin Franklin proposed that the meetings open with prayer. “How has it happened,” he pondered, according to a copy of the speech in Franklin’s papers, “that we have not, hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our Understandings?”
What did Benjamin Franklin refer to in his speeches?
From his first writings as “Silence Dogood”—the pseudonym he adopted when writing essays for his brother’s newspaper, the New-England Courant —to his speeches at the Constitutional Convention, Franklin was constantly referencing the Bible.
What was Ben's concern about his growing teenage skepticism?
Concern about his growing teenage skepticism derailed those plans. As a young man Ben did indulge some strident views and scurrilous behavior, especially on an extended trip to London. But he was certain that personal responsibility and industry were the keys to worldly success.
Who was Franklin's sister?
He kept in steady contact with his sister Jane Mecom of Boston, an evangelical Christian and his closest sibling. He established a business relationship and longstanding friendship with George Whitefield, a celebrated evangelist during the Great Awakening of the 18th century. The preacher grilled him occasionally about the state of his soul, yet Franklin admired Whitefield and even fleetingly proposed that they start a colony together in the Ohio territory, one that would model the best principles of Christianity.
Did Benjamin Franklin believe in Christianity?
Yes, Franklin questioned basic points of Christianity, including Jesus’ divine nature. Yet his childhood immersion in the Puritan faith, and his relationships with traditional Christians through his adult life, kept him tethered to his parents’ religion. If he was not a Christian, he often sounded and acted like one.
Is the Constitution secular?
The text of the unamended Constitution is notably secular, save for references like the “Year of our Lord” 1787. But the lack of religion in the document does not mean the topic went unmentioned at the Constitutional Convention. Several weeks into the proceedings, the octogenarian Benjamin Franklin proposed that the meetings open with prayer.
How old was Benjamin Franklin when he spoke at the Constitutional Convention?
On June 28, almost exactly a month after the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia convened, the 81–year-old Benjamin Franklin rose to address his fellow members. He had become frustrated over the constant and fruitless bickering and the inability of the representatives to made any significant progress in amending the federal government. He noted how some members had already left in disgust.
Why did the chaplains oppose the motion to appoint chaplains to begin each day?
There were some who opposed to the motion to appoint chaplains to begin each day with prayer because they had no funds to pay such chaplains. In fact, he recorded his disappointment at the bottom of his prayer speech, writing: “ The Convention, except three or four Persons, thought Prayers unnecessary. ”
How long did the delegates stay in the Old First Reformed Church?
The delegates were dismissed for three days, and some, moved by Franklin’s words, attended the Old First Reformed Church, where Rev. William Rogers held a special time of prayer for the proceedings.
Who said "The Doctor sat down and never did I behold a countenance at once so dig?
New Jersey delegate Jonathan Dayton reported: “ The Doctor sat down; and never did I behold a countenance at once so dignified and delighted as was that of Washington at the dose of the address; nor were the members of the convention generally less affected. The words of the venerable Franklin fell upon our ears with a weight and authority, even greater that we may suppose an oracle to have had in a Roman senate!”
Who was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention?
Here is a trivia question for you: Who were the oldest and youngest delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, in 1787 ? The oldest delegate, as many I’m sure remember from your history class, was Benjamin Franklin. He was the delegate from Pennsylvania and he attended the Convention at the ripe old age of 81. ...
Was Franklin the least religious?
Out of the 55 delegates at the Convention, only a handful were devoutly religious. And here was Franklin, perhaps one of the least religious of the Founding Fathers, calling for prayer and quo ting Script ure. As James Madison noted, in the notes he meticulously took of the Convention, many were deeply moved.