DOES THE
PUBLIC
THINK
YOUR
CHURCH
IS “MAD!
”?
“If
therefore
the
whole
church
be come
together
into one
place,
and all
speak
with
tongues,
and
there
come in
those
who are
unlearned,
or
unbelievers,
will
they not
say that
you are
mad? ...
I thank
my God I
speak
with
tongues
more
than you
all; yet
in the
church I
would
rather
speak
five
words
with my
understanding,
that I
may
teach
others
also,
than ten
thousand
words in
a
tongue.”
1
Corinthians
14:23.
18-20.
(For
“mad”,
the
Greek
text
uses the
word “mainomai”.
This is
the
origin
for
“maniac”.)
We
should
not be
surprised
that the
gift of
tongues
creates
controversy
for the
modern
church.
It did
so in
the
Apostolic
day. Now
as then,
the gift
arouses
unusual
reactions.
For the
Corinthians,
when
miraculous
tongues
should
have
been a
holy
encounter
with God
it
became
an
embarrassment
for
their
community.
A
spiritual
blessing
was
reduced
to mere
human
excitement.
They had
a party;
Paul had
a panic.
Instead
of
taking
sides
with the
church
the
Apostle
took
sides
with the
unbelievers.
Why did
he do
that?
Why was
he more
concerned
for the
unbeliever
than for
the
church’s
legitimate
right to
speak in
tongues?’”
The
answer
is
obvious.
Paul’s
priority
was that
the
unbeliever
not be
chased
from the
church,
but
remain,
hear the
gospel,
and be
saved.
Though
the
church’s
liberty
to speak
in
tongues
was
valid it
was
secondary
to its
work of
evangelism.
Transfer
the
Corinthian-crisis
to many
of
today’s
charismatic
churches.
Through
a
variety
of
abuses–tongues
being
only one
of
them–numerous
churches
are
chasing
off
unsaved
visitors
as fast
as they
come.
Instead
of
feeling
welcomed,
the
people
are
repelled
by
excess.
It
matters
not
whether
the
problem
is
tongues
or
ear-splitting
music,
blasting
shofars,
tiresome
services,
flag
wavers,
etc.
Paul
would be
just as
angered
at any
one of
our
abuses
today.
The
Apostle
explained
his
attitude:
“For
though I
am free
from all
men, I
have
made
myself a
servant
to all,
that I
might
win the
more;
and to
the Jews
I became
as a
Jew,
that I
might
win
Jews; to
those
who are
under
the law,
as under
the law,
that I
might
win
those
who are
under
the law;
to those
who are
without
law, as
without
law (not
being
without
law
toward
God, but
under
law
toward
Christ),
that I
might
win
those
who are
without
law; to
the weak
I became
as weak,
that I
might
win the
weak. I
have
become
all
things
to all
men,
that I
might by
all
means
save
some.
Now this
I do for
the
gospel's
sake,
that I
may be
partaker
of it
with
you.” 1
Corinthians
9:19-24.
Thousands
of
conscientious
Christians
are
leaving
denominational
churches
weekly
and
looking
for new
places
to
worship.
Many
have
seen the
“hand
writing
on the
wall”
and are
abandoning
their
sinking
ships.
Even
Southern
Baptist
Churches
are on
the
endangered
list. It
is
estimated
at their
present
rate of
decrease
the
Southern
Baptist
Convention
will be
gone in
just
five
generations.
Many
Lutheran,
Methodist,
Episcopalian
bodies
will not
last
that
long.
Seekers
from
these
declining
churches
are
visiting
Charismatic
Churches.
They
need a
safe
haven.
Wise
churches
welcome
these
wanderers,
provide
them
with
compassion,
an
opportunity
to
worship,
give
them
acceptance
and a
safe-haven.
But that
rarely
happens.
When
these
new
comers
appear
on the
back row
they
encounter
a
similar
reception
for
which
Paul
chastised
the
Corinthians.
The
newcomers
hear no
familiar
songs,
see
nothing
similar
to their
past,
and are
blasted
out by
the
noise.
In time
they
become
“drop
outs”
from the
Kingdom.
How
tragic!
Paul
would be
outraged.
Before
going
farther,
I must
say what
my heart
believes:
Charismatic
Churches
that are
needlessly
struggling
and
dying
could
reverse
that
condition
overnight
if they
would
listen
to
Paul’s
advice.
Use
common
sense!
Stop
scaring
off the
ones God
wants
you to
convert!
Before
you
think I
am
anti-tongues
(or
shofars,
flags,
etc.) I
wish to
relate
some of
my
personal
history.
First of
all, I
am a
total
believer
in the
gift of
tongues.
My
baptism
in the
Spirit
more
than 30
years
ago and
my
humbling
encounter
with the
gift was
the most
awesome,
ministry-changing
experience
of my
life.
For
years,
as a
pastor,
I had
mocked
the gift
of
tongues,
publicly
denounced
it from
the
pulpit,
and
ridiculed
those
who
believed
in it.
In my
opinion
those
weird
people
were
moronic
and
brainless.
Nor was
I alone
in that
view. To
most of
the
world–Christian
or
non-Christian–the
very
thought
of
someone’s
claiming
to speak
in
unknown
tongues
is
repugnant,
offensive.
But I
learned
the hard
way that
the gift
was not
only
real but
that one
of its’
works
was to
expose
my
religious
ego and
pride.
It does
that
even in
people
who do
not
believe
in it.
How?!
The
contempt,
anger,
rebellion,
people
show
toward
the gift
is
simply
the
revelation
of their
inner-person.
Every
time I
ridiculed
the
gift, I
was
merely
responding
to its’
ability
to make
me
disclose
my true
self. It
is
important
that you
see this
aspect
of the
gift’s
operation.
I
repeat:
One of
the
primary
works of
tongues
is to
force a
person
to
expose
his
religious
rebellion.
People
do not
respond
to other
gifts as
vehemently
as they
do to
tongues.
Words of
knowledge,
wisdom,
faith,
do not
draw
such
fire.
Tongues
draws
fire
because
that is
part of
its
work.
Hear
this:
“God has
chosen
the
foolish
things
of the
world to
put to
shame
the
wise,
and God
has
chosen
the weak
things
of the
world to
put to
shame
the
things
which
are
mighty;
and the
base
things
of the
world
and the
things
which
are
despised
God has
chosen,
and the
things
which
are not,
to bring
to
nothing
the
things
that
are,
that no
flesh
should
glory in
His
presence.”
1
Corinthians
1:27-30.
No where
else in
Scripture
is the
work of
tongues
better
identified
than in
this
passage.
The
truth of
this
Scripture
ultimately
exploded
in my
heart
like a
hand-grenade.
I found
myself
face-on-the-floor
begging
God for
forgiveness
and for
the
privilege
to
experience
the
gift.
Once my
eyes
were
opened
to its
absolute
reliability
and that
“all
Scripture
is given
by
inspiration
of God
and is
profitable”–that
including
tongues–I
felt
without
it I
would
die.
There
was a
point
during
my
travail
that I
underwent
what the
Greek
text
identifies
as
agonizomai–an
agonizing
struggle.
It is
impossible
to
describe
that
kind of
spiritual
anguish.
When the
gift
finally
appeared
in me
(alone
in my
Baptist
Church
office)
I spoke
distinctly
in seven
or eight
separate
dialects.
These
ranged
in sound
from
Oriental
to
French
to
Native
American.
I am
convinced
the
final
one was
Hebrew.
Please
know
that I
am not
ignorant
of other
languages.
In my
teenage
years I
was
fluent
in
Spanish,
in
college
took an
introductory
course
to
French,
and had
two
years of
Greek at
Columbia
Theological
Seminary.
What I
spoke in
tongues
was
real.
Few of
us
hard-line
preachers
realize
that
speaking
in
tongues
does not
climax
in
itself.
It is
the
“watch
guard”
at the
gate
that
protects
the
other
gifts. I
Conthians
12.
After
experiencing
tongues
other
works of
the
Spirit
suddenly
began
flooding
out of
me in
ways
that can
only be
described
as
phenomenal.
Injuries
were
healed,
lives
rescued,
minds
restored,
addicts
freed,
the
demonized
delivered,
with
other
miraculous
signs
becoming
common-place.
Traveling
as I do
I am in
some
truly
great
churches
that
flow
freely
in the
gifts of
the
Spirit.
God is
worshiped,
the
congregation
is
edified
and
unbelievers
are
saved in
every
service.
Prophecy,
healing,
tongues,
other
gifts,
move
normally
during
worship.
In these
meetings
the Holy
Spirit
does not
repel
people.
He draws
them to
Christ.
But!,
while
seeing
the best
I also
see the
rest. In
some
Charismatic
Churches
I
witness
an
imitation
of
spiritual
gifts
that
frightens
me.
Human
emotion
replaces
holy
order.
In some
cases
the
people
have
left the
Holy
Spirit
and
reverted
to their
earthy
feelings.
In these
places a
substitution
is
taking
place.
It is
this:
Human
excitement
is
gradually
replacing
the Holy
Spirit’s
authentic
presence.
Most
people
do not
recognize
the
change.
Some of
this is
emotion
out of
control.
Congregations
do not
always
give the
Holy
Spirit
the
courtesy
of
awaiting
His
arrival.
Instead
they act
as if He
is
automatically
there if
they
wave
flags,
jump,
blow
shofars,
blast
the
music,
and clap
their
hands.
He comes
at their
command.
Not so.
In these
cases,
exhilaration
satisfies
the
emotional
need;
Presumption
takes
control.
Kenneth
Hagin
use to
say, “If
the
music
moves
your
feet
more
than
your
soul you
have a
problem.”
King
Saul
committed
this sin
of
rushing
ahead
when he
refused
to wait
for the
prophet
Samuel
and
offered
the
sacrifice
himself.
I Samuel
13:10-14
That was
his
point of
rejection
by God.
After
several
years
coaxing
from a
Christian
friend
certain
unbelievers
finally
consented
to
attend a
meeting
where I
was
speaking.
Tragically,
when the
service
began
they
encountered
such
weirdness
that it
immediately
sent
them
running.
This was
exactly
what
Paul
warned
against.
These
people
arrived
unsaved
and left
unsaved–totally
convinced
that the
congregation
was
“mad”.
Will
they be
back?
No.
Years
ago on
national
T.V. an
Episcopalian
clergyman
said of
his
denomination,
“If the
Holy
Spirit
were to
withdraw
from the
church
80% of
our work
would
carry on
as if
nothing
happened.”
The
hearers
were
shocked–but
what he
said was
true.
But hear
me: I am
willing
to
repeat
that
clergyman’s
statement
in
regard
to the
future
of many
charismatic
churches.
To their
satisfaction,
they
have
mastered
the art
of
worship
with
music
that
electrifies
the
body,
dancers
and
flag-wavers
that
excite
the eye,
and
excesses
in a
number
of other
ways. If
that
fails
they can
always
turn up
the P.A.
volume.
I am
grieved
to tell
you
this:
Several
times,
as a
guest
speaker,
I have
had to
leave
the
pulpit
and go
to the
office
or lobby
to
wait-out
the
attack.
The
noise
was
unbearable.
In one
church
when I
went to
the
foyer I
found it
filled
with
visitors
who had
also
fled the
service.
A very
safe
guess
would be
that
once the
“worship”was
over
they
never
came
back.
Does
that fit
Paul’s
description
of
church
madness?
Absolutely.
The most
horrific
moment
of all
came
once
when a
matron
bounded
onto the
platform
dressed
in a
child-sized
costume
and did
an
interpretive
dance to
one of
my
favorite
hymns.
As a
nine
year-old,
my
grandson
asked me
to take
him out
of a
service
because
the
noise
was
giving
him a
headache.
When
people
quote
Psalm
33:3 to
me,
“Play
skillfully
with a
loud
noise”,
I remind
them
that was
before
the days
of
electronic
amplifiers
and that
the
Tabernacle
of David
was
outdoors.
In that
day a
zero-percent
of the
population
had lost
its
hearing
from
loud
music.
Today,
approximately
22,000,000,
Americans
have
experienced
permanent
hearing
damage
because
of
exposure
to
musical
noise.
Jesus
came to
“open
the ears
of the
deaf”,
not to
increase
their
problem.
He meant
the
church
to be a
haven,
not a
hazard
Please
know, I
don’t
look at
the
church
as it is
now. I
try to
see it a
hundred
years
down the
road. If
history
repeats
itself
the
abuses
we are
accepting
now (and
the
traditions
we are
establishing)
will
become
unrecognizable
doctrines
a
century
into the
future.
Lord
help!
May
Christ
come
before
that
happens!
Here is
what I
mean:
During
one
service
a young
man ran
through
the
congregation
blowing
a police
whistle.
In
another,
an old
man
walked
about
carrying
a
machine
that
blew
bubbles
into the
air.
Everybody
had
opportunity
to do
“his
thing”.
Someone
says,
“That is
freedom,
Brother!”
No, it
isn’t!
It is
religious
silliness
and has
no place
in the
church.
Paul’s
criteria
for
congregational
conduct
is
expressed
in a few
simple
statements
and such
carrying
on as
that
does not
survive
the
test.
Everything
the
church
does
should
pass
these
qualifications:
Is it
expedient,
does it
edify,
is it
childish
or
manly,
is it
decent
and
orderly,
is it
based on
Scripture?
Here is
the
foundation:
1. “All
things
are
lawful
for me,
but all
things
are not
expedient,
2. All
things
are
lawful
for me,
but all
things
do not
edify.”
1
Corinthians
10:23.
3. “When
I became
a man, I
put away
childish
things.”
13:11.
4. “Let
all
things
be done
decently
and in
order.”
14:40.
5. “All
scripture
is given
by
inspiration
of God,
and is
profitable
for
doctrine,
for
reproof,
for
correction,
for
instruction
in
righteousness:
That the
man of
God may
be
perfect,
throughly
furnished
unto all
good
works.”
2
Timothy
3:16-17.
The Holy
Spirit
will
prove
His
sovereignty
by
performing
“signs
and
wonders”
that are
completely
beyond
our
power or
control.
Thank
God for
that!
For that
reason I
always
caution
congregations,
“Do not
fake
anything.
If you
fake
something
that is
all you
will get
—
fakery.
Don’t
expect
the
Lord’s
reality.”
I once
had to
stop the
message,
speak to
a woman
who was
performing
her own
falsetto,
tell her
to sit
down and
be
quiet.
The Holy
Spirit
does not
compete
with
Himself.
At that
point in
the
service
the
gospel
was
being
preached.
The Word
of God
had
priority
over
her, me,
and
everyone
else in
the
room. I
believe
in the
sovereign
move of
God and
have
committed
myself
to being
sensitive
to it.
When I
preached
in
Westminster
Chapel,
London–a
church
steeped
in
Reformed
Theology
and
sovereign-grace
preaching–we
saw that
sophisticated
congregation
laid-out
under
the
sovereign
power of
the Holy
Spirit.
Several
times in
Toronto
at the
Airport
Fellowship
thousands
were
“floored”
by Him.
I
believe
in that!
I
experience
that! I
welcome
that!
What I
don’t
want is
self-induced
silliness
pretending
to be
the work
of the
Sovereign
Lord!
What I
am
longing
for is
the
scene of
charismatic
worship
in the
1970's
when
entire
congregations
fell
into
deep,
deep
encounters
with
God.
Like
priests
at the
dedication
of
Solomon's
Temple,
we were
prostrate
on the
floor
with a
Glory
Cloud
filling
the
building.
Voices
would
drop to
the
level of
a murmur
as we
left the
Outer
Court of
the
Tabernacle,
slid
under
the
veil,
and rose
up in
the
Shekinah
Glory of
the Holy
of
Holies.
I long
for that
kind of
worship
to
return.
Few
congregations
are even
aware of
its
possibility.
The
nearest
to
Heaven-on-earth
I've
ever
been was
once in
Sierra
Leon,
West
Africa,
when the
worship
became
an
uninterrupted,
angelic-like
chorus
of
tongues.
No
instruments
were
used and
voices
rose and
fell,
wave-like,
as
worshipers
sang in
the
Spirit.
I
Corinthians
14:15.
Some 17
different
tribal
languages
were
present
in that
huge
auditorium
but they
all
disappeared
as
“tongues
of men
and
angels”
transformed
everyone’s
voice
into
one,
spiritual
song of
the
Lord.
Never
before
and
never
since,
have I
experienced
reverence
and
adoration
of God
so real,
so
magnificent!
Suddenly,
it
lifted
the
congregation
above
earth’s
noise
and
clamor
into the
glory of
Heaven.
Had
unbelievers
been
present
they
would
have
been
lifted
also.
That
day–for
the
first
time–I
think I
experienced
what
Issac
Watts
wrote in
a hymn
in the
1700's.
He said:
“There
shall I
bathe my
weary
soul in
seas of
heavenly
rest
And not
a wave
of
trouble
roll
across
my
peaceful
breast.”
How can
the
church
“become
all
things
to all
men .”
in the
sense
that it
remains
sensitive
to the
unbeliever
and also
provides
believers
with
opportunity
to
worship
in the
“power
and
demonstration
of the
Holy
Spirit”?
I can
only
tell you
how I
would do
it were
I a
pastor
again.
Sunday
mornings
would be
evangelical
in
purpose
and all
other
meetings
charismatic
in
power.
That
balance
can be
maintained
to the
honor of
God the
Father
and
without
compromising
our
responsibility
to the
Holy
Spirit.
Keep in
mind it
was the
Holy
Spirit
who
prompted
Paul to
take the
pro-unbeliever
position.
The Holy
Spirit
will be
pleased
when
today’s
Charismatic
Churches
do the
same.
Amen!
Chas
AMERICA!
YOUR
GODLY
HERITAGE
IS BEING
STOLEN
FROM YOU
BY
WICKED
POLITICIANS.
THROW
THEM
OUT!
50 State
Constitutions
Acknowledge
Almighty
God
Our
National
Anthem
Acknowledges
God
Our
Money
Says “In
God We
Trust”
Our
Declaration
of
Independence
Calls On
Him For
Aid, But
Our
Foundations
Will
Soon Be
Gone!
Alabama
1901,
Preamble.
We the
people
of the
State of
Alabama
,
invoking
the
favor
and
guidance
of
Almighty
God, do
ordain
and
establish
the
following
Constitution.
Alaska
1956,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of
Alaska,
grateful
to God
and to
those
who
founded
our
nation
and
pioneered
this
great
land.
Arizona
1911,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
Arizona,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
liberties,
do
ordain
this
Constitution...
Arkansas
1874,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
Arkansas,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
privilege
of
choosing
our own
form of
government...
California
1879,
Preamble.
We, the
People
of the
State of
California,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freedom.
Colorado
1876,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of
Colorado,
with
profound
reverence
for the
Supreme
Ruler of
Universe.
Connecticut
1818,
Preamble.
The
People
of
Connecticut,
acknowledging
with
gratitude
the good
Providence
of God
in
permitting
them to
enjoy.
Delaware
1897,
Preamble.
Through
Divine
Goodness
all men
have, by
nature,
the
rights
of
worshiping
and
serving
their
Creator
according
to the
dictates
of their
consciences.
Florida
1885,
Preamble
. We,
the
people
of the
State of
Florida
,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
constitutional
liberty,
establish
this
Constitution...
Georgia
1777,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of
Georgia,
relying
upon
protection
and
guidance
of
Almighty
God, do
ordain
and
establish
this
Constitution...
Hawaii
1959,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of
Hawaii,
Grateful
for
Divine
Guidance,
Establish
this
Constitution.
Idaho
1889,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
Idaho,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freed om,
to
secure
its
blessings.
Illinois
1870,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
Illinois,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
civil,
political
and
religious
liberty
which He
hath so
long
permitted
us to
enjoy
and
looking
to Him
for a
blessing
on our
endeavors.
Indiana
1851,
Preamble
We, the
People
of the
State of
Indiana,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the free
exercise
of the
right to
choos e
our form
of
government.
Iowa
1857,
Preamble
We, the
People
of the
State of
Iowa,
grateful
to the
Supreme
Being
for the
blessings
hitherto
enjoyed,
and
feeling
our
dependence
on Him
for a
continuation
of these
blessings
establish
this
Constitution.
Kansas
1859,
Preamble
. We,
the
people
of
Kansas,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
civil
and
religious
privileges
establish
this
Constitution.
Kentucky
1891,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
Commonwealth
are
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
civil,
political
and
religious
liberties...
Louisiana
1921,
Preamble
We, the
people
of the
State of
Louisiana,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
civil,
political
and
religious
liberties
we
enjoy.
Maine
1820,
Preamble.
We the
People
of Maine
acknowledging
with
grateful
hearts
the
goodness
of the
Sovereign
Ruler of
the
Universe
in
affording
us an
opportunity.
And
imploring
His aid
and
direction.
Maryland
1776,
Preamble
We, the
people
of the
state of
Maryland,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
civil
and
religious
liberty.
Massachusetts
1780,
Preamble
We, the
people
of
Massachusetts,
acknowledging
with
grateful
hearts,
the
goodness
of the
Great
Legislator
of the
Universe
.. In
the
course
of His
Providence,
an
opportunity
and
devoutly
imploring
His
direction
..
Michigan
1908,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
Michigan,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
blessings
of
freedom
establish
this
Constitution.
Minnesota,
1857,
Preamble
. We,
the
people
of the
State of
Minnesota,
grateful
to God
for our
civil
and
religious
liberty,
and
desiring
to
perpetuate
its
blessings:
Mississippi
1890,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of
Mississippi
in
convention
assembled,
grateful
to Al
mighty
God, and
invoking
His
blessing
on our
work.
Missouri
1845,
Preamble
. We,
the
people
of
Missouri,
with
profound
reverence
for the
Supreme
Ruler of
the
Universe,
and
grateful
for His
goodness,
Establish
this
Constitution
.
Montana
1889,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of
Montana,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
blessings
of
liberty
establish
this
Constitution
Nebraska
1875,
Preamble
. We,
the
people,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freedom
.
Establish
this
Constitution.
Nevada
1864,
Preamble
. We the
people
of the
State of
Nevada,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freedom
establish
this
Constitution
New
Hampshire
1792,
Part I.
Art. I.
Sec. V .
Every
individual
has a
natural
and
unalienable
right to
worship
God
according
to the
dictates
of his
own
conscience.
New
Jersey
1844,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
New
Jersey,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
civil
and
religious
liberty
which He
hath so
long
permitted
us to
enjoy,
and
looking
to Him
for a
blessing
on our
endeavors.
New
Mexico
1911,
Preamble
. We,
the
People
of New
Mexico,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
blessings
of
liberty
...
New York
1846,
Preamble.
. We,
the
people
of the
State of
New
York,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freedom,
in order
to
secure
its
blessings.
North
Carolina
1868,
Preamble
. We the
people
of the
State of
North
Carolina,
grateful
to
Almighty
God, the
Sovereign
Ruler of
Nations,
for our
civil,
political,
and
religious
liberties,
and
acknowledging
our
dependence
upon Him
for the
continuance
of those
...
North
Dakota
1889,
Preamble
. We,
the
people
of North
Dakota ,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
blessings
of civil
and
religious
liberty,
do
ordain
...
Ohio
1852,
Preamble
. We the
people
of the
state of
Ohio,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freedom,
to
secure
its
blessings
and to
promote
our
common
Oklahoma
1907,
Preamble
.
Invoking
the
guidance
of
Almighty
God, in
order to
secure
and
perpetuate
the
blessings
of
liberty
establish
this ...
Oregon
1857,
Bill of
Rights,
Article
I.
Section
2. All
men
shall be
secure
in the
Natural
right,
to
worship
Almighty
God
according
to the
dictates
of their
consciences..
Pennsylvania
1776,
Preamble
We, the
people
of
Pennsylvania
,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
blessings
of civil
and
religious
liberty,
and
humbly
invoking
His
guidance
...
Rhode
Island
1842,
Preamble.
We the
People
of the
State of
Rhode
Island
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
the
civil
and
religious
liberty
which He
hath so
long
permitted
us to
enjoy,
and
looking
to Him
for a
blessing
...
South
Carolina,
1778,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of he
State of
South
Carolina
grateful
to God
for our
liberties,
do
ordain
and
establish
this
Constitution.
South
Dakota
1889,
Preamble
. We,
the
people
of South
Dakota ,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
civil
and
religious
liberties
...
Tennessee
1796,
Art.
XI.III.
That all
men have
a
natural
and
indefeasible
right to
worship
Almighty
God
according
to the
dictates
of their
conscience...
Texas
1845,
Preamble
. We the
People
of the
Republic
of Texas
,
acknowledging,
with
gratitude,
the
grace
and
beneficence
of God.
Utah
1896,
Preamble.
Grateful
to
Almighty
God for
life and
liberty,
we
establish
this
Constitution.
Vermont
1777,
Preamble
.
Whereas
all
government
ought to
enable
the
individuals
who
compose
it to
enjoy
their
natural
rights,
and
other
blessings
which
the
Author
of
Existence
has
bestowed
on man
...
Virginia
1776,
Bill of
Rights,
XVI
Religion,
or the
Duty
which we
owe our
Creator
can be
directed
only by
Reason
and that
it is
the
mutual
duty of
all to
practice
Christian
Forbearance,
Love and
Charity
towards
each
other
...
Washington
1889,
Preamble.
We the
People
of the
State of
Washington,
grateful
to the
Supreme
Ruler of
the
Universe
for our
liberties,
do
ordain
this
Constitution.
West
Virginia
1872,
Preamble.
Since
through
Divine
Providence
we enjoy
the
blessings
of
civil,
political
and
religious
liberty,
we, the
people
of West
Virginia
reaffirm
our
faith in
and
constant
reliance
upon God
...
Wisconsin
1848,
Preamble
We, the
people
of
Wisconsin,
grateful
to
Almighty
God for
our
freedom,
domestic
tranquility
...
Wyoming
1890,
Preamble.
We, the
people
of the
State of
Wyoming,
grateful
to God
for our
civil,
political,
and
religious
liberties
...
establish
this
Constitution.
Benjamin
Franklin’s
Appeal
For
Prayer
At The
1787
Constitutional
Convention
We have
arrived,
Mr.
President
... at a
very
momentous
and
interesting
crisis
in our
deliberations.
Hitherto
our
views
have
been as
harmonious,
and our
progress
as great
as could
reasonably
have
been
expected.
But now
an
unlooked
for and
formidable
obstacle
is
thrown
in our
way,
which
threatens
to
arrest
our
course,
and, if
not
skillfully
removed,
to
render
all our
fond
hopes of
a
constitution
abortive
...
Before I
sit
down,
Mr.
President,
I will
suggest
another
matter;
and I am
really
surprised
that it
has not
been
proposed
by some
other
member
at an
earlier
period
of our
deliberations.
I will
suggest,
Mr.
President,
that
propriety
of
nominating
and
appointing,
before
we
separate,
a
chaplain
to this
Convention,
whose
duty it
shall be
uniformly
to
assemble
with us,
and
introduce
the
business
of each
day by
an
address
to the
Creator
of the
universe,
and the
Governor
of all
nations,
beseeching
Him to
preside
in our
council,
enlighten
our
minds
with a
portion
of
heavenly
wisdom,
influence
our
hearts
with a
love of
truth
and
justice,
and
crown
our
labors
with
complete
and
abundant
success!
From
that
point on
the
Convention
met with
great
success
success!
America,
reclaim
your
honor as
a
Christian
nation!
Announcing
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Charles
Carrin
ISLAND
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