Donald Wickham’s Blog

On this 4th of July, 2009, as on ones past, we celebrate America’s independence from British rule. Our founding fathers recognized, though, that this independence was not one of complete self-reliance. Our nation would be based on each individual having a strong moral basis and a relationship with our Creator. Here are some quotes to consider.

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Commander-in-Chief in the American Revolution; Signer of the Constitution;
First President of the United States

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
JOHN ADAMS
Signer of the Declaration of Independence; One of Two Signers of the Bill of Rights;
Second President of the United States

“Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.
JAMES MADISON
Signer of the Constitution; Fourth President of the United States

“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Signer and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence;
Third President of the United States

“Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? – that it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? – That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Statesman; Diplomat; Sixth President of the United States

“We are a Christian people…not because the law demands it, not to gain exclusive benefits or to avoid legal disabilities, but from choice and education; and in a land thus universally Christian, what is to be expected, what desired, but that we shall pay due regard to Christianity?”
[Senate Judiciary Committee Report, January 19, 1853]

“At the time of the adoption of the Constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged…In this age there can be no substitute for Christianity…That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.”
[House Judiciary Committee Report, March 27, 1854]

“Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17.3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of Him (Proverbs 2, 3). Every one shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein.”
HARVARD
1636 Student Guidelines

“All the scholars are required to live a religious and blameless life according to the rules of God’s Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, that fountain of Divine light and truth, and constantly attending all the duties of religion.”
YALE
1787 Student Guidelines

To see more – In God We Trust

May each of us become the citizens this country needs, committed to God in Christ and living God’s way. That will make this country what it can truly be.

Tags:   founding fathers · GEORGE WASHINGTON · HARVARD · Independence · JAMES MADISON · JOHN ADAMS · JOHN QUINCY ADAMS · morality · Quotes · THOMAS JEFFERSON · YALENo Comments