John Hancock, Proclamation For a Day of Fasting and Prayer, March 16, 1789, from a proclamation in our possession, Evans #21946. Christianity wouldn’t be what it is if not for several men who labored faithfully to lay the foundation and build the pillars of the Church. Fifteen were baptized; a number during the three days professed to experience a change of heart. No truth is more evident than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.133, The Bible is the chief moral cause of all that is good and the best corrector of all that is evil in human society – the best book for regulating the temporal concerns of men.134, [T]he Christian religion… is the basis, or rather the source, of all genuine freedom in government… I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of Christianity have not a controlling influence.135, I shall now conclude my discourse by preaching this Savior to all who hear me, and entreating you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ; for “there is no salvation in any other” [Acts 4:12].139, It is very evident that both the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New are at great pains to give us a view of the glory and dignity of the person of Christ. I, p. 49, Robert Treat Paine’s Confession of Faith, 1749. . The reality is that the Founding Fathers were a diverse group of individuals. He appeared to His disciples and charged them to proclaim the good news and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). . They, therefore, who enlist in His service, have the highest encouragement to fulfill the du¬ties assigned to their respective stations; for most certain it is, that those of His followers who [participate in] His conquests will also participate in the tran¬scendent glories and blessings of His Triumph.58, I recommend a general and public return of praise and thanksgiving to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend. Benjamin Rush, Letters of Benjamin Rush, L. H. Butterfield, editor (Princeton, New Jersey: American Philosophical Society, 1951), Vol. 68. More especially is it necessary in your profession firmly to rely upon the God of Battles for His guardianship and protection in the dreadful hour of trial. With over 900 pages of text and totaling over 1100 pages with … . And are you disposed to live in love and charity with all men?” He lifted up his hands and said, “With the utmost sincerity of heart I can answer those questions in the affirmative – I have no ill will against Col. Burr. From his last will and testament, attested October 8, 1807. 84. Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1821 (New York: E. Bliss and E. White, 1821), pp. 49. Yet the work itself shall not be lost; for it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and more beatiful edition, corrected and amended by the Author.30 (FRANKLIN’S EULOGY THAT HE WROTE FOR HIMSELF), SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.37, He called on the entire state to pray “that universal happiness may be established in the world [and] that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole earth be filled with His glory.”38, REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; LEGISLATOR; “THE VOICE OF LIBERTY”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA, Being a Christian… is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.48, The Bible… is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.49, Righteousness alone can exalt [America] as a nation…Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.50, The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. And may the God of your parents (for many generations past) seal instruction to your soul and lead you to Himself through the blood of His too greatly despised Son, Who notwithstanding, is still reclaiming the world to God through that blood, not imputing to them their sins. II, pp. He also called on the State of Massachusetts to pray . Elias Boudinot, The Age of Revelation, or the Age of Reason Shewn to be An Age of Infidelity (Philadelphia: Asbury Dickins, 1801), p. xv, from his “Dedication: Letter to his daughter Susan Bradford.”. Benjamin Rush, Essays, Literary, Moral & Philosophical (Philadelphia: Thomas & Samuel F. Bradford, 1798), p. 93, “A Defence of the Use of the Bible as a School Book;” see also Rush, Letters, Vol. 62. 124. & J. Harper, 1833), Vol. Thomas Jefferson, Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, editor (Boston: Grey & Bowen, 1830), Vol. 114. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. with true contrition of heart to confess their sins to God and implore forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior. IV, p. 390, from his prayer of November 30, 1828. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.52, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.63, The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. In the meantime, a number of their comments are pasted in below for your review. Jacob Broom to his son, James, on February 24, 1794, written from Wilmington, Delaware, from an original letter in our possession. He also commands them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and has assured us that all who do repent and believe shall be saved… [G]od… has absolutely promised to bestow them on all these who are willing to accept them on the terms of the Gospel – that is, in a way of free grace through the atonement. Will of Richard Stockton, dated May 20, 1780. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Alberty Ellery Bergh, editor (Washington D.C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. 6-9. K. Alan Snyder, Defining Noah Webster: Mind and Morals in the Early Republic (New York: University Press of America, 1990), p. 253, to James Madison on October 16, 1829. WallBuilders is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. . . 13. Two Founding Fathers manipulated by secularists to advance the false argument of an irreligious American origin are Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. . . Charles W. Upham, The Life of Timothy Pickering (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1873), Vol. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. 7. 23. Putnam’s Sons, 1890), Vol. in the elegant and expressive language 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” – and do them, and the God of peace shall be with you, to whose most gracious protection I now commend you, humbly imploring Almighty Goodness that He will be your guardian and your guide, your protector and the rock of your defense, your Savior and your God.68, I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way.72, I rejoice that the religion of Jesus prevails in your parts; I can tell you the same agreeable news from this quarter. Here are some of the surprising faiths of our founding fathers. Benjamin Franklin, Works of Benjamin Franklin, John Bigelow, editor (New York: G.P. . John Hancock, A Proclamation For a Day of Public Thanksgiving 1791, given as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from an original broadside in our possession. Your donation is taxdeductible. I call these men the founding fathers because they are the foundation of the church. & J. Harper, 1833), Vol. 78. II, pp. 5, pp. 6-7, diary entry for February 22, 1756. Hugh A. Garland, The Life of John Randolph of Roanoke (New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1853), Vol. Gunning Bedford, Funeral Oration Upon the Death of General George Washington (Wilmington: James Wilson, 1800), p. 18, Evans #36922. ( Log Out / that the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be established in peace and righteousness among all the nations of the earth. Peter was martyred by Emperor Nero between AD 64 and 65. Onward we go with the cornerstone and foundation of the Church. Your email address will not be published. John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. & J. Harper, 1833), Vol. . XI, pp. Patrick Henry, Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches, William Wirt Henry, editor (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1891), Vol. This or¬ganization was to have numerous clubs throughout each state which would meet regularly and work to elect to office those who reflected the goals of the Christian Constitutional Society. 53. William Wirt, Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry (Philadelphia: James Webster, 1818), p. 402; see also George Morgan, Patrick Henry (Philadelphia & London: J. Jonathan Trumbull, Proclamation for a Day of Fasting and Prayer, March 9, 1774, from a proclamation in our possession, Evans #13210. And while you look around you and see the great privileges and advantages you have above what other children have (of learning to read and write, of being taught the meaning of the great truths of the Bible), you must remember not to be proud on that account but to bless God and be thankful and endeavor in your turn to assist others with the knowledge you may gain.74(to his daughter), REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; SECRETARY OF WAR UNDER PRESIDENTS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JOHN ADAMS, [P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. 7, pp. I would encourage you to follow the link below and read for yourself what they had to say. 94. 12. John Adams, Works, Vol. 94, 100, “A Defence of the Use of the Bible as a School Book.”. Benjamin Rush, Letters of Benjamin Rush, L. H. Butterfield, editor (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1951), Vol. John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. John, son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Mary Orne Pickering, Life of John Pickering (Boston: 1887), p. 79, letter from Thomas Pickering to his son John Pickering, May 12, 1796. Joseph Story, Life and Letters of Joseph Story, William W. Story, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1851), Vol. Imprint deep upon your minds the principles of piety towards God, and a reverence and fear of His holy name. I, p. 96, to William Bradford on September 25, 1773. SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS William Jay, The Life of John Jay (New York: J. Life of John Quincy Adams, W. H. Seward, editor (Auburn, NY: Derby, Miller & Company, 1849), p. 248. He was born of a virgin named Mary and was adopted by her husband, Joseph. . No one can deny that many of the founding fathers of the United States of America were men of deep religious convictions based in the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ. Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George W. Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1948), pp.