On State Representation

Mr. President:

The small progress we have made after 4 or 5 weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other - our different sentiments on  almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human  Understanding.

We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those  Republics which, having been formed with the seeds of their own  dissolution, now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our  circumstances.

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  understanding?

In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. - Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & 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. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of  establishing our future national felicity. 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. 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, Sir, 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: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our  projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach  and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing  Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest. I therefore beg leave to move - that henceforth prayers imploring the  assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in  this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one  or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that  service.