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"I therefore beg to move that henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessings 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."

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“Mr. HAMILTON, and several others, expressed their apprehensions that, however proper such a resolution might have been at the beginning of the Convention, it might at this late day, in the first place, bring on it some disagreeable animadversions; and, in the second, lead the public to believe that the embarrassments and dissensions within the Convention had suggested this

measure.

"It was answered by Dr. FRANKLIN, Mr. SHERMAN, and others, that the past omission of a duty could not justify a further omission; that the rejection of such a proposition would expose the Convention to more unpleasant animad versions than the adoption of it; and that the alarm out of doors that might be excited for the state of things within, would at least be as likely to do good as ill.

"Mr. WILLIAMSON observed that the true cause of the omission could not be mistaken. The Convention had no funds.

“Mr. RANDOLPH proposed, in order to give a favorable aspect to the measure, that a sermon be preached at the request of the Convention on the Fourth of July, the anniversary of Independence; and thenceforward prayers, etc., to be read in the Convention every morning.

"Dr. FRANKLIN seconded this motion. After several unsuccessful attempts for silently postponing this matter by adjourning, the adjournment was at length carried, without any vote on the motion."

The speech of Dr. Franklin was written and read to the Convention by his colleague, Mr. Wilson, "it being inconvenient to the Doctor to remain long on his feet.' See Madison, in the introduction to his report of the Debates, Elliot, vol. v., 122.

The motion was not voted on and virtually withdrawn. In the "Works of Benjamin Franklin," edited by Jared Sparks, Boston, 1847, vol. v., p. 153, the speech of Dr. Franklin is given, with the following note of his on p. 155: "The Convention, except three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary!" The remarks of Hamilton and others, however, show that they were not opposed to prayers, but to the untimeliness of the motion.

At the enthusiastic centennial celebration of the Constitution in Philadelphia, September 17, 1887, prayer was not neglected. Bishop Potter, of New York, made the opening, Cardinal Gibbons, of Baltimore, the closing prayer, and both prelates performed the solemn duty with excellent taste, falling back upon the common ground of Protestant and Catholic Christianity. The Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, a Presbyterian clergyman, pronounced the benediction. President Cleveland embodied Franklin's speech in his eulogy of the Constitution.

James Madison, in a letter to Mr. Sparks, dated Montpellier, April 8, 1831 (Elliot's" Debates," vol. i., p. 508, revised ed.), makes the following allusion to Franklin's motion: "It was during that period of gloom [the hot controversy

between the larger and smaller States on the rule of voting in the Senate] that Dr. Franklin made the proposition for a religious service in the Convention, an account of which was so erroneously given, with every semblance of authenticity, through the National Intelligencer, several years ago."

DOCUMENT IV.

Acts of Congress in regard to the Bible.

I. Act of the Continental Congress, Sept. 11, 1777.

From "Journal of Congress, Containing the Proceedings from January ist, 1777, to January 1st, 1778. Published by order of Congress," vol. iii.,Philadelphia (John Dunlap), pp. 383-386.

"The committee to whom the memorial of Doctor Allison1 and others was referred, report, That they have conferred fully with the printers, etc., in this city, and are of the opinion, that the proper types for printing the Bible are not to be had in this country, and that the paper cannot be procured, but with such difficulties and subject to such casualties as render any dependence on it altogether improper; that to import types for the purpose of setting up an entire edition of the Bible, and to strike off 30,000 copies, with paper, binding, etc., will cost 10,2727. 10s. od., which must be advanced by Congress to be reimbursed by the sale of the books; that in the opinion of the committee, considerable difficulties will attend the procuring the types and paper; that afterwards the risque of importing them will considerably enhance the cost, and that the calculations are subject to such uncertainty in the present state of affairs, that Congress cannot much rely on them; that the use of the Bible is so universal, and its importance so great, that your committee refer the above to the consideration of Congress, and if Congress shall not think it expedient to order the importation of types and paper, the committee recommend that Congress will order the committee of commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland or elsewhere into the different ports of the States of the Union.'

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'Whereupon it was moved, That the committee of commerce be directed to import 20,000 copies of the Bible.

New IIampshire.-Mr. Folsom, ay; Mr. Frost, ay—ay.

Massachusetts Bay.-Mr. S. Adams, ay; Mr. J. Adams, ay; Mr. Gerry, ay; Mr. Lovell, ay—ay.

Rhode Island.-Mr. Marchant, ay-ay.

Connecticut.-Mr. Dyer, ay; Mr. Law, ay; Mr. Williams, ay—ay.

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New Jersey. Mr Witherspoon, ay; Mr. Clarke, ay—ay.
Pennsylvania.-Mr. Wilson, ay; Mr. Roberdeau, ay—ay.
Delaware.-Mr. Reed, no-no.

Maryland.-Mr. Chase, no-*

Virginia.-Mr. Harrison, no; Mr. F. L. Lee, ay; Mr. Jones, no-no.

1 Dr. Patrick Allison was one of the two chaplains of the Continental Congress, the Rev. William White (afterwards Bishop of the diocese of Pennsylvania) being the other. The memorial referred to was a petition to Congress to issue an edition of the Bible, under the direction and at the expense of the government.-P. S.

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North Carolina.-Mr. Harnett, no-no.

South Carolina.—Mr. Middleton, no; Mr. Heyward, no ; Mr. Laurens, ay—no, Georgia.-Mr. Brownson, ay—ay.

"So it was resolved in the affirmative."

2. Act of the Continental Congress, passed September 12, 1782.

From "Journal of Congress and of the United States in Congress Assembled," vol. vii., Philad. (D. C. Claypoole), pp. 468, 469.

"The committee, consisting of Mr. Duane, Mr. M’Keen and Mr. Witherspoon, to whom was referred a memorial of Robert Aitkin,' printer, dated January 21st, 1781, respecting an edition of the Holy Scriptures, report;

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"That Mr. Aitkin has, at a great expense, now finished an American edition of the Holy Scriptures in English; that the committee have, from time to time, attended to his progress in the work; that they also recommend it to the two Chaplains of Congress to examine and give their opinion of the execution, who have accordingly reported thereof.

"The recommendation and the report being as follows:

"PHILADELPHIA, September 1st, 1782. "Reverend GENTLEMEN :-Our knowledge of your piety and public spirit leads us without apology to recommend to your particular attention the edition of the Holy Scriptures publishing by Mr. Aitkin. He undertook this expensive work at a time, when from the circumstances of the war, an English edition of the Bible could not be imported, nor any opinion formed how long the obstruction might continue. On this account particularly he deserves applause and encouragement. We therefore wish you, Reverend gentlemen, to examine the execution of the work, and if approved, to give it the sanction of your judgment and the weight of your recommendation.

We are, with very great respect, your most obedient servants,

'(Signed)

JAMES DUANE, Chairman,

"In behalf of a committee of Congress on Mr. Aitkin's memorial.

"Reverend Dr. White and Reverend Mr. Duffield,

Chaplains of the United States assembled,'

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"Agreeably to your desire, we have paid attention to Mr. Robert Aitkin's impression of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. Having selected and examined a variety of new passages throughout the work, we are of opinion that it is executed with great accuracy as to the sense, and with as few grammatical and typographical errors as could be expected in an undertaking of such magnitude. Being ourselves witnesses of the demand for this invaluable book, we rejoice in the present prospect of a supply, hoping that it will prove as advantageous as it is honorable to the gentleman, who has ex

1 A misprint for Aitken.-P. S.

erted himself to furnish it at the evident risque of private fortune. gentlemen, your very respectful and humble servants,

66 6

''(Signed)

We are,

WILLIAM WHITE, "GEORGE DUFFIELD.

Honorable James Duane, Esquire, Chairman,

and the other honorable gentlemen of the
committee of Congress on Mr. Aitkin's
memorial.

"PHILADELPHIA, September 10th, 1782.'

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'Whereupon,

Resolved, That the United States, in Congress assembled, highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an instance of the progress of arts in this country, and being satisfied from the above report of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work, they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation in the manner he shall think proper."

3. Joint Resolution in behalf of the American Company [Committee]1 of Revisers of the New Testament for Return and Remission of Duties.

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Whereas, 2,100 copies of the book known as the Revision of the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, printed by the University Presses of Oxford and Cambridge in England, being the joint and gratuitous work of two companies of translators, one in England and the other in the United States, were sent, under the direction of the English Company of Revisers, to and for the use and distribution of the American Company of Revisers, and were heretofore imported at the Port of New York, for or in behalf of the American Company of Revisers, and the duties paid thereon; and

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Whereas, The revision of the translation of the Old Testament Scriptures is now progressing under similar auspices, and the same is to be printed in a similar manner, and copies of them will be required for the use and distribution of the American Company of Revisers, therefore,

"

Beit Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and is hereby authorized and directed to ascertain the facts of such past and expected importations of the revisions of the Bible, and if he shall be satisfied that they are substantially as above stated, then to refund and repay, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the American Company of Revisers, of which Reverend Doctor Philip Schaff, of New York, is Chairman, and Reverend Doctor Henry Day, of New York,3 is Secretary, through and by said officers, the amount of duties heretofore paid upon the said books so imported; and that he be, and further is, authorized and directed 1 There were two committees on revision, one for England and one for America; each committee was composed of two companies, one for the Old and one for the New Testament.— P. S.

2 President of the committee; the title Chairman being given to the presiding officers of the two separate companies (Dr. Woolsey and Dr. Green).-P. S.

A mistake for Rev. Dr. George E. Day, of New Haven.-P. S.

to remit the duties upon, and to admit to entry free of duty or custom, the books containing the revision of the Old Testament which may be hereafter imported from England by or on behalf of the American Company of Revisers, for their use and distribution as above set forth,

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'Provided, that future importations of the Bible for the purposes set forth in this Act shall not exceed two thousand copies.

'Approved, March 11, 1882."

DOCUMENT V.

Fudge Story's Explanation of the Constitutional Guarantee of Religious Liberty.

Judge JOSEPH STORY, the authoritative expounder of the American Constitution, explains the third section of Article VI., and the First Amendment of the Constitution ("Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States," Boston, 1833, pp. 690 sq., and 698-703) as follows:

“This clause [the last in Art. VI., § 3] is not introduced merely for the purpose of satisfying the scruples of many respectable persons who feel an invincible repugnance to any religious test or affirmation. It had a higher object: to cut off forever every pretense of any alliance between church and state in the national government. The framers of the constitution were fully sensible of the dangers from this source, marked out in the history of other ages and countries, and not wholly unknown to our own. They knew that bigotry was unceasingly vigilant in its stratagems to secure to itself an exclusive ascendency over the human mind, and that intolerance was ever ready to arm itself with all the terrors of the civil power to exterminate those who doubted its dogmas or resisted its infallibility. The Catholic and Protestant had alternately waged the most ferocious and unrelenting warfare on each other, and Protestantism, at the very moment when it was proclaiming the right of private judgment, prescribed boundaries to that right, beyond which if any one dared to pass he must seal his rashness with the blood of martyrdom. The history of the parent country, too, could not fail to instruct them in the uses and the abuses of religious tests. They there found the pains and penalties of nonconformity written in no equivocal language, and enforced with a stern and vindictive jealousy.

"The right of society or government to interfere in matters of religion will hardly be contested by any persons who believe that piety, religion, and morality are intimately connected with the well-being of the state, and indispensable to the administration of civil justice. The promulgation of the great doctrines of religion; the being, and attributes, and providence of one almighty God; the responsibility to him for all our actions, founded upon moral freedom and accountability; a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues ;—these never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered community. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive how any civilized society can well exist without them, And, at all events, it is impossible for those who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt that it is the especial duty of government to foster and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point

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