The parents of Benjamin Franklin don’t receive much fanfare, notoriety, or acclaim about the lives they lived. Ben talks a little about them in his Autobiography. One of the things they taught Ben was to obey the commandments of God. As a result, he did honor them. After all, Honor thy Father and Mother is the first commandment with a promise—that your life may be long in the land.
Here’s what Ben wrote in honor of his parents after their death:
“Josiah Franklin
and Abiah, His Wife
Lie here interred
They lived together loving in Wedlock
Fifty-five years
Without an estate of any gainful employment
By constant labour and industry
With God’s blessing
They maintained a large family
Comfortably
And brought up thirteen children
And seven grandchildren
Reputably
From this Instance, Reader
Be encouraged to Diligence in thy Calling
And distrust not Providence
He was a pious and prudent man
She a discreet and virtuous woman
Their youngest son
In filial regard to their Memory
Places this Stone
J.F. born 1655 Died 1744 Aetat (age) 89
A.F. born 1667 Died 1752 Aetat (age) 85
There is much talk these days about our U.S. Constitution. There is not as much talk about the “Father of the Constitution” as James Madison is known. He is, after all, the one who got the framers together to amend the Articles of Confederation. And that took some doing. George Washington didn’t want to attend—he didn’t think it could be successfully accomplished!
I wonder if Thomas Jefferson would have been so dismissed by the opposite party when he spoke to the nation. When he spoke he advocated that any political problems of the past decade be buried in order for Americans to unite. Here is what he said in his inaugural speech:
When someone says that America isn’t a Christian nation, I understand. It’s just that I believe they don’t know history. American principles are based on the Christian religion and on the Bible. No, that’s just history.
When John Adams was still a young attorney, the Boston Massacre took place. No lawyer wanted to defend the British soldiers that were accused of murder in the case. John Adams eventually learned that the whole matter would probably end with the British being found guilty. Because his cousin Sam Adams was there, John knew some of the facts. He also knew that no one would defend the soldiers.