In This Issue:
Benjamin Franklin’s Motion
True Then. True Now! What America Needs
Lincoln’s Plea Lincoln’s Bible
“If They Slip Too Far, the Light Will Go Out of America!”
Different Motive The Greatness of America
MacArthur Was Right! Only Way Out Is Up!
Volume: 978 October 21, 2024
Theme: Strengthening A Nation
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Benjamin Franklin’s Motion
Our Hope
At the meeting of the 1778 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin made the motion to those assembled that the Convention should not proceed without an opening prayer each day.
“I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth that God governs the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, it is probable that an empire cannot rise without His aid.
“We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it….’ I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall proceed in politically building no better than the builders of Babel.”
Prayer was the foundation stone in our country’s beginning. There should be more national prayer today.
“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” — Cowper
True Then. True Now!
President Woodrow Wilson
Our civilization cannot survive materially unless it is redeemed spiritually. It can be saved only by becoming permeated with the Spirit of Christ and being made free and happy by the practices which spring out of the spirit. Only thus can discontent be driven out and all the shadows lifted from the road ahead.”
“Our prayer and God’s mercy are like two buckets in a well; while the one ascends, the other descends.” — Hopkins
What America Needs
Wall Street Journal (Many years ago!)
What America needs more than railway extensions, western irrigation, a low tariff, a bigger cotton crop, and a larger wheat crop is a revival of religion, the kind that our fathers and mothers used to have. We need a religion that made men quit work a half hour earlier on Wednesday so the whole family could get ready to go to prayer meeting.
“Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.” — Keith
Lincoln’s Plea
Christian Beacon
During the days of the Civil War, a visitor to the White House said, “I had been spending three weeks in the White House with Mr. Lincoln as his guest. One night, just after the Bull Run battle, I was restless and could not sleep.
It was near dawn when I heard low tones proceeding from a private room where the president slept. The door was partly open. I walked in and saw a sight I shall never forget. It was the president kneeling before an open Bible.
The light was turned low in the room. His back was toward me.
I shall never forget his tones, so pitiful and sorrowful. “Do thou God, that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me! I cannot lead this people. I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without Thy help. I am poor and weak and sinful. O God, thou didst hear Solomon when he cried for wisdom, hear me and save this nation.”
God heard, and He answered him. Will He not answer today if we had leaders who sought God’s help?
Abraham Lincoln’s well-thumbed Bible in the Lincoln Museum, among other things, would abundantly prove that he was a Christian.
On the way to be inaugurated, Mr. Lincoln uttered these impressive words, “I go to assume a task more difficult than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He would never have succeeded but for the aid of Divine Providence upon which he relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same divine blessing which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being, I place my reliance for support. I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I may receive the divine assistance without which I cannot succeed but with which success is certain.”
“Oh, for more leaders that seek God’s help and guidance rather than those adopting sinful philosophies in hopes of gaining more votes.”
“If They Slip Too Far, the Light Will Go Out of America!”
President Herbert Hoover
“The ‘New Order,’ ‘New Freedom,’ ‘New Day,’ ‘New Outlook,’ ‘New Epoch,’ ‘New Economy,’ ‘New Deal,’ ‘New Deal,’ ‘New Religion,’ ‘New Liberalism,’ ‘New War,’ and ‘New Policy’ are popular to the ears of many. We have overused the word ‘New’ to escape the misery from 37 years of hot and cold wars, with intervals of hot and cold peace.
If we want to strengthen the country, the practical thing is to use the word ‘Old’ more often. Some “old things” made this country.
Many old things are slipping. If they slip too far, the light will go out of America! Old virtues, religious faith, whole truth, integrity, honor in public office, economy in government, individual liberty, and willingness to sacrifice for righteousness need to return to our leaders and nation. We have a cancerous growth of dishonesty among our leadership. Our great danger is suicide by complaisance with evil.
Different Motive
Christian Digest
Roger Babson, the statistician, was lunching with the President of Argentina. “Mr. Babson,” the president said, “I have been wondering why it is that South America, with all its natural advantages, its mines of iron, copper, coal, silver and gold, its rivers and great waterfalls which rival Niagra’s, is so far behind North America.
Babson asked, “Well, Mr. President, what do you think is the reason?”
The president was silent for a while before he answered, “I have come to the conclusion, South America was settled by the Spanish, who came to South America in search of gold, but North America was settled by the Pilgrim Fathers, who went there in search of God.”
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17
The Greatness of America
Author Unknown
Over a hundred years ago, De Tocqueville of France visited America. Upon his return home, he wrote, “I sought the greatness of America in her harbors, rivers, fertile fields, mines and commerce. It was not there.”
Not until I went into the churches and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the greatness of her power. America is great because she is good. If America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.
MacArthur Was Right!
Prairie Overcomer
General Douglas MacArthur, recognizing a spiritual awakening was imperative, said, as quoted by Moody Monthly, “History fails to record a single precedent in which nations experiencing moral decay have not passed onto political and economic success. There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimately a national disaster.”
“Choosing to honor and allow sin to flourish will lead to the destruction of any nation. NO ONE gets away with disregarding the morality God demands in His Word!”
Only Way Out Is Up!
Walter Knight
On a gray morning during World War One, David Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of Britain, stood grim-visaged before his compeers and members of the British Cabinet. The seriousness of the situation was evident on the faces of all.
The prime minister said, ”Gentlemen, we are fighting with our backs to the wall. The only way out is up. Our only hope is God. Let us pray!” When nations turn to God in their trouble, deliverance is not distant.