conquered him." Who that remembers Trenton, Valley Forge, Saratoga and
Yorktown, will not say God fought for our Washington? In 1777 a Quaker
had occasion to pass through the woods near the headquarters of the
army; hearing a voice, he approached the spot, and saw Washington in
prayer. Returning home, he said to his wife: "All's well! All's well!
Washington will prevail. I have thought that no man can be a soldier
and a Christian. George Washington has convinced me of my mistake."
Peace was declared in 1783. I have a water-color of the building used
as the Department of State, in which the treaty of peace was signed--it
was a building 12 feet by 30.


In May,1787, delegates from all the States, except Rhode Island, met in
the state house in Philadelphia, with George Washington as president, to
draft a constitution for these United States. All the delegates were
convinced of the utter failure of the articles of confederation, all
were convinced of the need of a stronger government. Two parties
honestly differed and were determined to fight it out to the bitter end.
At one time it looked as if the convention must disband without
effecting its object. Franklin arose and said: "Mr. President, the
small progress we have made after five weeks is a melancholy proof of
the imperfection of human understanding--we have gone back to ancient
history for models of government--we have viewed modern states--we find
none of their constitutions suitable to our circumstances--we are groping
in the dark to find political truth, and are scarcely able to
distinguish it when presented to us. How has it happened, sir, that we
have not once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to
illumine our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with
Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this
room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were