CPR Lifeline Advisory - Honoring Ben Franklin
1/17/2025
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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…
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People still toss around his proverbs and prophecies, but many may not know they came from this early American political activist and sage. It would be good if they did. “Today is the birthday of one of the most important Founding Fathers who possibly could have served as the unofficial president of the United States. Sadly, Americans have never honored this man as they have done for others less remarkable. But, Benjamin Franklin, in his time was recognized as a Renaissance Man.” So begins an article I wrote in 2017, regarding Benjamin Franklin’s efforts to help establish the United States and the culture that developed from the inception.
Without the birth of the United States, God could not have established an even stronger foothold within the world of corruption and evil dominion over all of the people. Without a Judeo-Christian heritage, this nation would have turned out much differently. Without the advance of God’s will through His Providence in that time, the radical concept of God-given rights may have never been conceived; and without the example of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, brave and faith-filled people may have never been willing to sacrifice to create and develop the Land of the Free.
Americans have a tendency to take a lot of things for granted that people from around the world could only relish with expectation, or view with jealousy or resentment. God blessed America as we honored and obeyed God. The rest of the world could only witness the advance of Heavenly Father’s Providence in awe, or in frustration as the world of slavery and false dominion would slowly crumble over the lifetime of the Land of the Free. Franklin was one of those who helped set this nation on such a trajectory.
This edition of the CPR Lifeline Advisory is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin on his birthday. Not many may even remember it, but it is worth remembering a single man who took responsibility to secure the truths that most Americans should still believe in. My article is from 2017, but it has more kernels of history than references to the events of that year. That year was also the year following the election of Donald Trump as POTUS. That year saw many rebellious and traitorous activities coming against, not only Trump, but his allies, and against the American people, but all of that revealed the attacks against the American ideals, principles and values. This year, hope exists that wrongs will be made right, and justice will prevail across the land.
Editor’s note: Previously, several readers have suggested that the “True U.S. History” classes that were taught before in the COVID time, would resume. We are going to ask all our readers if there is any desire to literally ‘see’ a return of those ½ hour sessions dealing with America as a nation linked to the Providence of God. We would truly be interested to know if our readers are willing to tune in to a weekly podcast to get a post-education (most of our readers are graduates from some educational system in their home nations) education on God’s Providence moving beyond biblical narratives into the present. We are asking for a reply to this edition, as a new year’s resolution to arm yourselves with a unique understanding of U.S. history. Consider it as taking one step toward arming oneself with a history of America that is not currently taught in the educational system in the United States. Just type “yes, let me know more” and hit ‘reply’ and send your response back to us via the email from whom you received this newsletter. Or comment in Substack. We’ll send information on what the U.S. History course would cover. Based on the information provided, readers can decide if they are willing to take advantage of the opportunity. A lack of response will send a clear message.
We hope readers take in as many of the features and intelligent perspectives that may be of interest. Don’t get greedy! Only absorb what you can easily digest! Read, enjoy, absorb and as always, if readers believe the perceptions of our writers are worthy of others’ attention, please share today’s articles and links to the important stories of the news cycle with those whom you hope would benefit from the Citizen Sentinels Network.
Additionally, we would like readers to know that one major problem we encountered last year is the issue of Yahoo links that were broken when readers try to access videos. We hope readers will alert us to broken links because we cannot always know once the newsletter has been sent. We do test the links before we send the newsletters, but some may not get discovered. Our real hope is that you enjoy this edition and take in as many of the features that may interest you and share articles and links to articles with those whom you believe would benefit from the content. Or simply, advise them to go to Substack and get a free subscription – Citizen Voice on Substack
Ben Franklin’s Prophecy Regarding the Survival of the United States of America
By Dennis Jamison – January 17, 2017
From: https://ro.meteorologiaenred.com/Benjamin-Franklin.html
Benjamin Franklin may have been the most essential of the Founding Fathers.
Today is the birthday of one of the most important Founding Fathers who possibly could have served as the unofficial president of the United States. Sadly, Americans have never honored this man as they have done for others less remarkable. But, Benjamin Franklin, in his time was recognized as a Renaissance Man. Born into a humble and large family on January 17, 1706, Franklin got his initial start in life as a printer in his brother’s print shop and newspaper in Boston. This foundation served as a basis for his industriousness and provided a livelihood that served him well many times throughout his younger days. But, he eventually outgrew such a beginning as he became a colonial Renaissance Man, as he became a an entrepreneur and a businessman, a meteorologist, a scientist and inventor, a musician, a librarian, a humorist, an economist, a philanthropist, a philosopher, and a diplomat and statesman.
To Walter Isaacson, whose exhaustive biography of Benjamin Franklin was published in 2003, Franklin stood out as “the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become.” Amazingly, during the time of such an incredible career, never lost pride in his working class roots, nor his desire for freedom. He served his people and his country as a determined patriot for most of his adult life. Even at 81 years of age, one of his last official duties, and one of the most important, was to give the concluding remarks at the Constitutional Convention to urge the delegates to sign the document giving birth to the new nation.
One of the most important statements he shared, has more relevance for America in 2017, than in his own day. However, in his time or in ours, he is never considered a prophet; but he offered a prophetic warning that may contain significant meaning for the United States today.
Ben Franklin’s prophecy shows up through one of the most important statements he ever made. On Monday, September 17th, on the last day of the gathering of delegates in the historical assembly at the Constitutional Convention, Franklin offered a message. Delegates had been deliberating on signing the document even to this day. Franklin was actually too weak to stand and offer his speech, so he asked James Wilson to deliver it. It is advisable to read the entire speech, but among other words, he shared these with his fellow patriots:
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise… In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better constitution.
Much of the strength & efficiency of any government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends on opinion; on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this constitution… and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administered.
Franklin went on to fully recommend the constitution to his fellow delegates, and in the end urged each delegate to “doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument.” A bit later, all but three delegates came forward to sign the document.
Consider the words, “…can only end in despotism…when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.” Was this his prophecy of the inevitable outcome of the human efforts to obtain a “more perfect union” or ideal government?
If anyone is paying attention to the rapid and detrimental developments throughout the nation in the past decade, or if one looks clearly around the United States today, the layers of reality that are being peeled away reveals tell-tale signs of the kinds of fundamental corruption Franklin and the other Founding Fathers feared. Are the portents of a creeping tyranny that hard to recognize? Is the Party of Tyranny willing to concede the election to the GOP, or will they repeat history and attempt to impose a tyranny over the people as they had in the days before the Civil War?
Franklin rightfully explained that “much of the strength & efficiency of any government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends… on the general opinion of the goodness of the government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors.” It is wise to allow the machinery of a Constitutional-Republic to carry on the hopes and dreams of our Founders.
CONTINUE TO SEEK THE TRUTH AS THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
Lifelong Resolutions
By Rev. Susan Schrier
The following is a substantial excerpt from an article entitled “Lifelong Resolutions” by formerly active Methodist minister, Susan Schrier Clouse. The original first appeared in “Preacher Girl Diaries” in 2017.
While not a fan of the organized church, Benjamin Franklin supported his local Presbyterian congregation and attended occasionally. As Franklin described in his Autobiography, one Sunday the sermon focused on this verse from the fourth chapter of Philippians:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Franklin assumed the message would be about morality, doing good and avoiding evil, but the pastor talked about what we Methodists call "attending upon the ordinances of God": keeping the Sabbath holy, reading Scripture, attending public worship, partaking the Sacrament, respecting God's ministers. Disappointed, Franklin never returned to that church, but he never gave up on God and God's ways.
Franklin writes: "It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection." He wanted to live a faultless life and conquer any vice that "natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other."
After much study, he made a list of thirteen virtues he thought were "necessary and desirable" and defined each:
1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery [sex] but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Franklin focused on one virtue each week for thirteen weeks. He kept track of how he did each day, first in a little notebook and later on a piece of ivory that he could more easily erase and reuse. Some years he repeated the thirteen week course 4 times (the whole year), others he just did it once. He did this, in some fashion, for many years. Later, the demands of his very famous public life as one of our Founding Fathers and champion of liberty kept him from such rigorous such record-keeping, but by then the habits were ingrained.
In the little book where he recorded his successes and failures (he admitted that Order was the most difficult for him), he included quotes from Cato, Cicero and Proverbs for encouragement, and: "And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it; to this end I formed the following little prayer, which was prefix'd to my tables of examination, for daily use.
"O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide! increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favors to me."
He also used a little prayer he took from Thomson's poems:
"Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme!
O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself!
Save me from folly, vanity, and vice,
From every low pursuit; and fill my soul
With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure;
Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!"
Wouldn't we all benefit by considering ourselves descendants of Benjamin Franklin? What would happen if we each embarked upon a path to encourage ourselves to become a more moral people? List those virtues that are important to you, prioritize them, and then take a moment each day to reflect on how you can improve on one or two of them. And don't neglect to ask God to help you!
All quotes are from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, a copy of which can be found here: http://www.archive.org/stream/theautobiography00148gut/bfaut11.txt
Preacher girl diaries: http://preachergirldiaries.blogspot.com/
A Bit of History…
From The Heritage Foundation: ED070302b: A Republic If You Can Keep It – 7/3/2002
From The American Minute with Bill Federer: How do Politicians become Corrupt? "The Love of Power and the Love of Money" warned Franklin – 1/30/2024
From Canada Free Press: A Virtuous Society – 5/30/2015
From The National Constitution Center: Benjamin Franklin’s last great quote and the Constitution – 11/13/2023
From The Daily Wire: The Founding Fathers: 6 Prophetic Warnings That Are Coming True – 2/19/2021
From The National Constitution Center: Primary and Secondary Sources - Perspectives on the Constitution: A Republic, If You Can Keep It
From The History News Network (HNN): What we get wrong about Ben Franklin’s ‘a republic, if you can keep it’ – 10/29/2019
Coalition Connections…
Editor’s note:
The CPR group activities segment continues to shine a spotlight on member organizations, affiliates. or allies. We know new patriots are awakening each day across the nation, and as ‘necessity breeds invention,’ the CPR seeks to work with additional Christian, conservative, groups as they work to organize, mobilize, and actively respond to the current clear and present danger to our Constitutional Republic.
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From Canada Free Press by Jack Gleason: A Serious Warning for January 6th and the Inauguration – 1/1/25
From Last Call Radio Show w/ B.J. Edwards: 1/04/2025 It's Your Move in 2025 – 1/4/25
From Canada Free Press by A. Dru Kristenev: Passing the firefighting buck to a ghost – 1/12/25
From Students for Life of America — SFL Action: The Pro-Life Generation to U.S. Senate: STOP INFANTICIDE – 1/16/25
From Every Black Life Matters:Biden's Leadership and Media Accountability – 12/25/24
From Camp Constitution: 2024 Year End Summmary of Dead Article V Convention Applications – 1/8/25
ICYMI > From Liberty Christian Fellowship: Matt 6: The Lord's Prayer Provides A Pattern For A Productive Relationship With God 10/30/24
