Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/34

30 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 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 little, partial, local interests, our projects will be unfounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages. And, what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government 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.

But his appeal was unavailing, and the motion was lost, "as the Convention, except three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary." There was that in the man that would win the friendship and respect of even a Whitefield; and one need wonder not at the exercise of this personal influence in all his intercourse with his fellow men.

But domestic concerns led him to other ingenious thoughts, though for once he here halted, not however for lack of faith, but failure at the time of the proper instrument to mature his plans. His son William had reached the age of about twelve years when he "in 1743 drew up a proposal," he tells us, for establishing an academy; and at that time, thinking the Reverend Mr. Peters, who was out of employ, a fit person to superintend such an institution, I communicated the project to him; but he, having more profitable views in the service of the proprietaries which succeeded, declined the undertaking: and, not knowing another at that time suitable for such a trust, I let the scheme lie awhile dormant.

Mr. Peters, of whom much will be said on later pages, was appointed on the 14 February of this year, Secretary of the Province and Clerk to the Council; his intimate concern and