On September 17, Americans celebrate the birthday of our Constitution. It’s a miraculous accomplishment that continues to set records. Since 1787, America has had only one Constitution. Quite frankly this sets us apart from other countries and adds to our exceptionalism. The average life span of a constitution among the countries of the world is a whopping 17 years! Our celebration of 236 years is exceptional! In order to further set our celebration in perspective, consider these facts: within the same time frame we have celebrated one Constitution, France has had 15. In the past 100 years, Russia has had 4. Afghanistan has had 6, while Poland has had 7. Since 1948 South Korea has had 6 constitutions. Since 1954 China has had 4. That’s roughly 1 constitution every 17 years for China. Our Constitution is precious, especially when compared to the rest of the world. British Prime Minister William Gladstone called it, “the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.” That’s quite a compliment. But it almost didn’t happen. The hot, sticky summer of 1787 saw many state delegates bring their own plan of action to the convention, and with so many varying opinions there was very little hope for compromise as gridlock set in. At that point, Benjamin Franklin rose to address the convention. He was the oldest delegate at 81, and had yet to address the delegates personally. His remarks were not prepared, rather than were spoken from the heart. We only know what was said because of Madison’s meticulous note taking. Here is part of what Franklin said: “In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered . . . 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 . . . I therefore beg leave 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.” The delegates took a few days off to attend church services and reflect upon their work. When they returned to the convention hall, they did indeed open the morning in prayer (and congress has opened in prayer every day since). A different mood had set in. A spirit of cooperation had replaced the discord which previously lingered. Alexander Hamilton put it this way: “For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.” We have much to be thankful for in America today, and our Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights, is chiefly among them. However, there are nefarious forces at work which are attempting to undermine the Constitution and remove individual liberties. For example, the governor of New Mexico recently issued an “emergency” executive order suspending the Second Amendment right to keep and bare arms. She stated that the Constitution was not absolute, including her own oath to protect and defend it. She believes that emergency powers give her the authority to suspend any portion of the Constitution she deems to fall within that emergency. Of course, this is not written anywhere in the Constitution, but that does’t matter to Marxists. They despise our Constitution and will do anything possible to dispose of it. Even if they have to strip it away by piecemeal a little hear and a little there. Case in point, the Marxists have succeeded over the past 70 years in redefining the establishment clause of the 1st Amendment so that it no longer means congress shall not establish a religion. It now means that religion shall not exist in the public square. That is something to which our founders would have never agreed or supported. Freedom is fragile, and she is held together by a 236 year old document . . . a document which is under constant assault by the Marxists of the progressive left. The best way for American citizens to protect and defend the Constitution is to read it, know it, learn it, and understand it. Take the next 30 days and read a portion of it daily. Talk about it with your neighbors, friends and family. Let’s keep the Constitution alive and well in America!
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AuthorWaterbrook Christian Academy Staff Archives
September 2023
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