When Dr. Benjamin Franklin walked out of the Constitutional Convention, a lady asked him what form of government they had given us. He responded, “A Republic, madam, if you can keep it.” What does THAT mean?
There is a tendency in each of us to want someone else to solve all our problems for us. And there will always be leaders, like our City officials, who would love to do that for us, while they vote themselves 30-60% pay increases after midnight, all the while convinced, I’m sure that it is for us. But our Founders clearly stressed that only our Virtue would allow us to remain free:
“Let Divines, and Philosophers, Statesmen and Patriots unite their endeavors to renovate the Age, by impressing the Minds of Men with the importance of educating their little boys, and girls—of inculcating in the Minds of youth the fear, and Love of the Deity, and universal Philanthropy; and in subordination to these great principles, the Love of their Country—of instructing them in the Art of self-government, without which they never can act a wise part in the Government of Societies great, or small—in short of leading them in the Study, and Practice of the exalted Virtues of the Christian system.” ~ John Adams
“If Virtue and Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great Security.” ~ Samuel Adams
“It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?” ~George Washington in his Farewell Address
Benjamin Franklin published in his autobiography a “Chart of 13 Virtues.” We studied and discussed this chart in my high school History class. It was really fun and enlightening to see the students consider pursuing virtue so seriously. I gave them each a copy of this chart. (Thank you for typing this out, HomeschoolPatriot.com, so that I did not have to!! )
The fascinating thing is that, and Dr. Ben shares this in his autobiography, as there are 13 Virtues and 4 sets of 13 weeks in a year, we can concentrate on one virtue each week, review how we do and then go on to the next virtue for the next week, until we have gone through all of them in a quarter year. What a great project for families!
He also talks about starting a “United Party for Virtue.” Wouldn’t it be great to see that happen?
Maybe in our New Year’s Resolutions, we could purpose to go through the Virtues that Dr. Ben has organized for us and see where that takes us. God is waiting for us to seek Him!
“Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. Go and tell them, “Return to your tents.” But you stand here with me so I can give you all my commands, decrees, and regulations. You must teach them to the people so they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.’”
“So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” ~Deuteronomy 5:29-33
“…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits..” Deut 11:32 NKJV
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