Saturday, January 08, 2011
"General Principles" Part VII
First From Julie's Keyboard:
Do you ever experience those relationships that touch your life in some way that is in constant need of ......whatever? Be it an ear to listen to someone rattle off a round of senseless rhetoric, your tens or twenties because gas money ran out, that precious soul that certainly is in our life to help make us more "like our Master?" Ouch!
Seems it has been a week of this once again. But as I begin to approach the Lord with my whines about it, He quickly reminded me of His grace that's there for "such as these" and myself as well. Because you see, I'm such a one in need of His grace just as much as the person who seems to often not bother with what we would call "getting it all together."
After going to prayer once again this week on behalf of some of these situations I'm referring to, the Spirit of the Lord reminded me of the best medicine to give to my friends in such need. He said, "What have I told you in my Word that will make a difference in anyone's life?"
I was quickly reminded that we must seek Him first and His righteousness, then all the other things needed would be added. What an awesome promise!
A well-spoken word, a ten or a twenty here and there, may help someone in a tight for the moment. But, when approached on a continuing basis with repetitive needs, there must be a remedy at the roots. The Lord has given us just this. The trouble is often the candidate is not ready to receive their solution to their problems.
This is where prayer needs to be focused on behalf of the one in need. The revelation of the truth that will make a man free must happen so that one can walk in the quality of life afforded them through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How is it with us today, reader? Are we complaining about the complications and issues we face, or are we focused on the answer to every man's dilemma?
I asked the Lord this week. "Why do so many poor seem to continue to struggle after being helped?" He reminded me that one must seek Him first or their life patterns will change little.
So, I leave you with this Scripture today. It applies to all who will hear. It will work for any who would dare to walk in it, including me.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
I pray we will seek Him with all our hearts this week.
Julie
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Principles of the Founding Fathers
"General Principles" Part VII
Because of this, I am putting a little more effort into this post than usual. Out of necessity, it will have to be quite lengthy.
But I would like to put to rest the idea that our Founders were deists as defined by Webster's 1826 dictionary "deism implies infidelity or a disbelief in the divine origin of the scriptures."
As long as it is, I could have included many others and continued with many other quotes by the Founders I did quote.
But for lack of time and space, I hope this will help you see through the misinformation that is being propagated today concerning the faith of our Founders.
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Jedidiah Morse - HISTORIAN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; EDUCATOR; “FATHER OF AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY”; APPOINTED BY SECRETARY OF STATE TO DOCUMENT CONDITION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. All efforts made to destroy the foundations of our Holy Religion ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness. In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation… in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom… Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government – and all the blessings which flow from them – must fall with them." - - - - Jedidiah Morse, A Sermon, Exhibiting the Present Dangers and Consequent Duties of the Citizens of the United States of America, Delivered at Charlestown, April 25, 1799, The Day of the National Fast (MA: Printed by Samuel Etheridge, 1799), p. 9
I know there are many who will deny our Christian heritage as a nation, and I know there are many who ascribe the term deist to our Founders. I included the above quote at the beginning to set the framework for what will follow.
Jedidiah Morse is one who was a historian of the American Revolution, if we can not trust his understanding of the times, I wonder who we can turn to? He said it was the influence of Christianity that we owe our freedom, and political and social happiness. He said it was our Holy religion and that if the pillars of Christianity were to be overthrown our nation would fall with them.
This you may not agree with, but you can't change the words that were spoken by those before us.
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John Adams - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
"The Holy Ghost carries on the whole Christian system in this earth. Not a baptism, not a marriage, not a sacrament can be administered but by the Holy Ghost. . . . There is no authority, civil or religious – there can be no legitimate government but what is administered by this Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All without it is rebellion and perdition, or in more orthodox words damnation." - - - - Letter from John Adams to Benjamin Rush, from Quincy, Massachusetts, dated December 21, 1809.
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John Quincy Adams - SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; DIPLOMAT; SECRETARY OF STATE; U. S. SENATOR; U. S. REPRESENTATIVE; “OLD MAN ELOQUENT”; “HELL-HOUND OF ABOLITION”
"My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away. . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances His disciples in asserting that He was God." - - - - John Adams and John Quincy Adams, The Selected Writings of John and John Quincy Adams, Adrienne Koch and William Peden, editors (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1946), p. 292, John Quincy Adams to John Adams, January 3, 1817.
This could also be added I think to his father John's faith as contributing to the faith of this son.
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Samuel Adams - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; “FATHER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
"I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace." - - - - The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1908), Vol. IV, p. 407, from his proclamation of March 20, 1797.
One can take note here that Mr. Adams linked the term Supreme Ruler of the world to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many will take quotes from our Founders and point to the fact that they were deists because they used such terms and did not refer directly to Jesus or Christianity.
This is evidence that when they made references to the Supreme Ruler or Supreme Being etc,. the understood subject was, at least for certain here, Christianity.
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Josiah Bartlett - MILITARY OFFICER; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Called on the people of New Hampshire ". . . to confess before God their aggravated transgressions and to implore His pardon and forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ . . . [t]hat the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be made known to all nations, pure and undefiled religion universally prevail, and the earth be fill with the glory of the Lord." - - - - Josiah Bartlett, Proclamation for a Day of Fasting and Prayer, March 17, 1792.
It is interesting to note here Mr. Bartlett spoke openly about Jesus Christ in this public address to his state and the proclamation was made after the ratification of the Constitution, of which many now would try and say prohibits such speech. Since the 1st Amendment of the Constitution has not changed since this time, it must be we have changed to interpretation of it.
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Gunning Bedford - MILITARY OFFICER; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; FEDERAL JUDGE
"To the triune God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost – be ascribed all honor and dominion, forevermore – Amen." - - - - Gunning Bedford, Funeral Oration Upon the Death of General George Washington (Wilmington: James Wilson, 1800), p. 18, Evans #36922.
From this statement we can contrive Mr. Bedford was traditional in his faith in the Father, Jesus his Son accepting his divinity, and the sending and working of the Holy Spirit as we do today.
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Elias Boudinot - PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; SIGNED THE PEACE TREATY TO END THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; FIRST ATTORNEY ADMITTED TO THE U. S. SUPREME COURT BAR; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; DIRECTOR OF THE U. S. MINT
"Let us enter on this important business under the idea that we are Christians on whom the eyes of the world are now turned… [L]et us earnestly call and beseech Him, for Christ’s sake, to preside in our councils. . . . We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, Whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning . . . in order to open the meeting with prayer." - - - - Elias Boudinot, The Life, Public Services, Addresses, and Letters of Elias Boudinot, J. J. Boudinot, editor (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1896), Vol. I, pp. 19, 21, speech in the First Provincial Congress of New Jersey.
We can see here, that at least Mr. Boudinot considered himself and the others in Congress, as well as the people Christian. We may debate today whether our Founders were deist or Christian, Mr. Boudinot considered them Christian.
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Jacob Broom - LEGISLATOR; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION
A letter to his son, James, attending Princeton University:
"I flatter myself you will be what I wish, but don’t be so much flatterer as to relax of your application – don’t forget to be a Christian. I have said much to you on this head, and I hope an indelible impression is made." - - - - Jacob Broom to his son, James, on February 24, 1794, written from Wilmington, Delaware.
I included Mr. Broom just to add to the long list of Constitutional signers who were Christian.
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Charles Carroll - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SELECTED AS DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; U. S. SENATOR
"On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits, not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts." - - - - From an autograph letter written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., September 27, 1825.
Evidence of the long line of Christians who were signers of the Constitution.
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John Dickinson - SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE; GENERAL IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
"Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity." - - - - From the Last Will & Testament of John Dickinson, attested March 25, 1808.
John Dickinson considered this country enlightened by the Gospel and placed his on salvation in Jesus Christ proving in his mind his divinity. Another on the long list of Signers of the Constitution who considered themselves Christian.
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Gabriel Duvall - SOLDIER; JUDGE; SELECTED AS DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; COMPTROLLER OF THE U. S. TREASURY; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
"I resign my soul into the hands of the Almighty Who gave it, in humble hopes of His mercy through our Savior Jesus Christ." - - - - From his last will and testament, attested on September 21, 1840.
Evidence of the long list of Founders who considered themselves Christians and held faith in the divinity of Jesus Christ.
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Elbridge Gerry - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
He called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that ". . . with one heart and voice we may prostrate ourselves at the throne of heavenly grace and present to our Great Benefactor sincere and unfeigned thanks for His infinite goodness and mercy towards us from our birth to the present moment for having above all things illuminated us by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, presenting to our view the happy prospect of a blessed immortality." - - - - Elbridge Gerry, Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise, October 24, 1810, from a proclamation in our possession, EAI #20675.
More evidence that after the ratification of the United States Constitution the people of the United States were still called on to pray by public officials. Also again, we see the term Great Benefactor linked to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By this we can understand why they were speaking and using such terminology, it was in reference and understood to mean the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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John Hancock - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
" . . . that with true contrition of heart we may confess our sins, resolve to forsake them, and implore the Divine forgiveness, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Savior. . . . And finally to overrule all the commotions in the world to the spreading the true religion of our Lord Jesus Christ in its purity and power among all the people of the earth." - - - - John Hancock, Proclamation for Day of Public Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, March 4, 1793.
Notice hereafter the ratification of the U. S. Constitution, it was not considered a breach of the Separation of Church and State to call for the peoples of the United States to ask for forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Savior, to speak of spreading the true religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the 1st Amendment hasn't changed, what has?
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Samuel Huntington - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; JUDGE; GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT
"It becomes a people publicly to acknowledge the over-ruling hand of Divine Providence and their dependence upon the Supreme Being as their Creator and Merciful Preserver . . . and with becoming humility and sincere repentance to supplicate the pardon that we may obtain forgiveness through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - - - - Samuel Huntington, A Proclamation for a Day of Fasting, Prayer and Humiliation, March 9, 1791, from a proclamation in our possession, Evans #23284.
I include Samuel Huntington as more evidence that such references to Divine Providence, Supreme Being, Creator, and Merciful Preserver are terms all linked to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These terms being used alone do not imply deist thought but were understood at the time to be conducive to Christianity. Also, note the date is after the ratification of the U. S. Constitution.
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James Iredell - RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NORTH CAROLINA; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON
"For my part, I am free and ready enough to declare that I think the Christian religion is a Divine institution; and I pray to God that I may never forget the precepts of His religion or suffer the appearance of an inconsistency in my principles and practice." - - - - James Iredell, The Papers of James Iredell, Don Higginbotham, editor (Raleigh: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1976), Vol. I, p. 11 from his 1768 essay on religion.
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John Jay - PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; DIPLOMAT; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; ORIGINAL CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT; GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK
"Condescend, merciful Father! to grant as far as proper these imperfect petitions, to accept these inadequate thanksgivings, and to pardon whatever of sin hath mingled in them for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior; unto Whom, with Thee, and the blessed Spirit, ever one God, be rendered all honor and glory, now and forever." - - - - William Jay, The Life of John Jay (New York: J & J Harper, 1833), Vol. I p. 518, Appendix V, from a prayer found among Mr. Jay’s papers and in his handwriting.
Indicating John Jay traditional belief in the Christian faith, One God, One Holy Spirit, and One Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Thomas Jefferson - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
"I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others." - - - - Thomas Jefferson, Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, editor (Boston: Grey & Bowen, 1830), Vol. III, p. 506, to Benjamin Rush, April 21, 1803.
I included this quote of Thomas Jefferson because many assign to him the belief of deist. He considered himself a Christian. Although the Christian faith is attained not through a sincere attachment to his doctrine, but a belief in his atoning work on the cross of Calvary. Many Christians have a problem with many of his statements, unorthodox as he may have been, one cannot say he was not greatly influenced by Christianity.
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William Samuel Johnson - JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE; U. S. SENATOR
"[I] . . . am endeavoring . . . to attend to my own duty only as a Christian. . . . let us take care that our Christianity, though put to the test . . . be not shaken, and that our love for things really good wax not cold." - - - - Edwards Beardsley, Life and Times of William Samuel Johnson (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1886), p. 184.
I included William Samuel Johnson as more evidence that our Founders were not deist but Christian.
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James Kent - JUDGE; LAW PROFESSOR; “FATHER OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE”
"My children, I wish to talk to you. During my early and middle life I was, perhaps, rather skeptical with regard to some of the truths of Christianity. Not that I did not have the utmost respect for religion and always read my Bible, but the doctrine of the atonement was one I never could understand, and I felt inclined to consider as impossible to be received in the way Divines taught it. I believe I was rather inclined to Unitarianism; but of late years my views have altered. I believe in the doctrines of the prayer books as I understand them, and hope to be saved through the merits of Jesus Christ. . . . My object in telling you this is that if anything happens to me, you might know, and perhaps it would console you to remember, that on this point my mind is clear: I rest my hopes of salvation on the Lord Jesus Christ." - - - - William Kent, Memoirs and Letters of James Kent, (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1898), pp. 276-277.
Here is an example of a Founder who originally did ascribe to Unitarianism, (One that rejects the Trinity and the divinity of Christ) but in his later years placed his faith in the merits of Jesus Christ. So if you find anyone quoting Jame Kent views in support of Unitarianism or deist, remember, he later ascribed to Christianity.
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Francis Scott Key - U. S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; AUTHOR OF THE “STAR SPANGLED BANNER”
"[M]ay I always hear that you are following the guidance of that blessed Spirit that will lead you into all truth, leaning on that Almighty arm that has been extended to deliver you, trusting only in the only Savior, and going on in your way to Him rejoicing." - - - - Hugh A. Garland, The Life of John Randolph of Roanoke (New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1853), Vol. II, p. 104, from Francis Scott Key to John Randolph.
Here again, we find the traditional belief of Christianity.
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James Madison - SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECRETARY OF STATE; FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
"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." - - - - James Madison, The Papers of James Madison, William T. Hutchinson, editor (Illinois: University of Chicago Press, 1962), Vol. I, p. 96, to William Bradford on September 25, 1773.
I included this quote by James Madison to point to his understanding of the benefits of Christianity. I understand one can find conflicting statements by Mr. Madison at various times in his life. But regardless of where he stood at any given time on religious matters, he was always an advocate of Christ, this is not the belief of a deist.
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James Manning - MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; PRESIDENT OF BROWN UNIVERSITY
"I rejoice that the religion of Jesus prevails in your parts; I can tell you the same agreeable news from this quarter. Yesterday I returned from Piscataway in East Jersey, where was held a Baptist annual meeting (I think the largest I ever saw) but much more remarkable still for the Divine influences which God was pleased to grant. Fifteen were baptized; a number during the three days professed to experience a change of heart. Christians were remarkably quickened; multitudes appeared." - - - - Letters of Delegates to Congress: November 7, 1785-November 5, 1786, Paul H. Smith, editor (Washington DC: Library of Congress, 1995), Vol. 23, p. 337, James Manning to Robert Carter on June 7, 1786.
In this quote by James Manning, we can see the subject of religion is Jesus, this is not the belief of the deist.
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Henry Marchant - MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF RHODE ISLAND; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; FEDERAL JUDGE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON
"And may God grant that His grace may really affect your heart with suitable impressions of His goodness. Remember that God made you, that God keeps you alive and preserves you from all harm, and gives you all the powers and the capacity whereby you are able to read of Him and of Jesus Christ, your Savior and Redeemer, and to do every other needful business of life. 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." - - - - Letters of Delegates to Congress: May 1, 1777 - September 18, 1777, Paul H. Smith, editor (Washington DC: Library of Congress, 1981), Vol. 7, pp. 645-646, Henry Marchant to Sarah Marchant on September 9, 1777
Here you can see Henry Marchant and his family trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer, this again is not the faith of a deist.
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George Mason - DELEGATE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; “FATHER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS”
"I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God that gave it me, hoping that through the meritorious death and passion of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ to receive absolution and remission for all my sins." - - - - Kate Mason Rowland, Life of George Mason (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1892), Vol. I, p. 373, Will of Colonel George Mason, June 29, 1715
George Mason included to affirm the belief of Jesus Christ as savior and redeemer, again not the faith of the deist.
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James McHenry - 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. Without the Bible, in vain do we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions." - - - - Bernard C. Steiner, One Hundred and Ten Years of Bible Society Work in Maryland, 1810-1920 (Maryland Bible Society, 1921), p. 14.
James McHenry, another signer of the U. S. Constitution professed the Christian faith, not that of a deist.
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Thomas McKean - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE
In the case Respublica v. John Roberts, John Roberts was sentenced to death after a jury found him guilty of treason. Chief Justice McKean then told him: "You will probably have but a short time to live.
Before you launch into eternity, it be¬hooves you to improve the time that may be allowed you in this world: it behooves you most seriously to reflect upon your past conduct; to repent of your evil deeds; to be incessant in prayers to the great and merciful God to forgive your manifold transgressions and sins; to teach you to rely upon the merit and passion of a dear Redeemer, and thereby to avoid those regions of sorrow – those doleful shades where peace and rest can never dwell, where even hope cannot enter. It behooves you to seek the [fellowship], advice, and prayers of pious and good men; to be [persistent] at the Throne of Grace, and to learn the way that leadeth to happiness.
May you, reflecting upon these things, and pursuing the will of the great Father of light and life, be received into [the] company and society of angels and archangels and the spirits of just men made perfect; and may you be qualified to enter into the joys of Heaven – joys unspeakable and full of glory!" - - - - William B. Reed, Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed (Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1847), Vol. II, pp. 36-37.
Here, Thomas McKean never directly mentions Jesus Christ or Christianity, but all references are distinctly Christian leaving no doubt to his intent in directing Mr. Roberts to Christianity.
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Gouverneur Morris - REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; “PENMAN OF THE CONSTITUTION”; DIPLOMAT; U. S. SENATOR
"Your good morals in the army give me sincere pleasure as it hath long been my fixed opinion that virtue and religion are the great sources of human happiness. 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. But of all these things you will and I hope in the merciful Lord." - - - - Letters of Delegates to Congress: February 1, 1778-May 31, 1778, Paul H. Smith, editor (Washington DC: Library of Congress, 1982), Vol. 9, pp. 729-730, Gouverneur Morris to General Anthony Wayne on May 21, 1778.
Gouverneur Morris here establishes his faith in Christianity, though Jesus Christ is not directly mentioned, his reference to the "merciful Lord" can be directed to to no other religion. No other religion on earth has a redeemer and merciful Lord Jesus Christ. This is not the belief of the deist.
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Robert Treat Paine - MILITARY CHAPLAIN; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS; JUDGE
"I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of His Providential goodness and His forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state." - - - - 88. From the Last Will & Testament of Robert Treat Paine, attested May 11, 1814.
Included as a reference to the fact where the term Supreme Being is used it is directly attached to the Gospel and Jesus Christ. It is not a term with which you link to deism.
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William Paterson - ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW JERSEY; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; U. S. SENATOR; GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
"When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." [invoking Proverbs 29:2 to instruct a grand jury]. - - - - United States Oracle (Portsmouth, NH), May 24, 1800.
Included to point to another signer of the U. S. Constitution with Christian influence, not a deist.
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Timothy Pickering - REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; JUDGE; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; POSTMASTER GENERAL UNDER PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON; SECRETARY OF WAR UNDER PRESIDENTS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JOHN ADAMS; SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS
"Pardon, we beseech Thee, all our offences of omission and commission; and grant that in all our thoughts, words, and actions, we may conform to Thy known will manifested in our consciences and in the revelations of Jesus Christ, our Savior." - - - - Charles W. Upham, The Life of Timothy Pickering (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1873), Vol. IV, p. 390, from his prayer of November 30, 1828.
Included as evidence of a ratifier of the U. S. Constitution with faith in Jesus Christ, not that of a deist.
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John Randolph of Roanoke - CONGRESSMAN UNDER PRESIDENTS JOHN ADAMS, THOMAS JEFFERSON, JAMES MADISON, JAMES MONROE, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, ANDREW JACKSON; U. S. SENATOR; DIPLOMAT
"I have thrown myself, reeking with sin, on the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ His blessed Son and our (yes, my friend, our) precious Redeemer; and I have assurances as strong as that I now owe nothing to your rank that the debt is paid and now I love God – and with reason. I once hated him – and with reason, too, for I knew not Christ. The only cause why I should love God is His goodness and mercy to me through Christ." - - - - Collected Letters of John Randolph of Roanoke to Dr. John Brockenbrough, Kenneth Shorey, editor (New Brunswick: Transaction Books, 1988), p. 17, to John Brockenbrough, August 25, 1818.
Included at the evidence of another Founder with Christian faith, not that of a deist.
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Benjamin Rush - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; “FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE”; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; “FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION”
"The Gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations! . . . My only hope of salvation is in the infinite tran¬scendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the Cross. Noth¬ing but His blood will wash away my sins [Acts 22:16]. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!" [Revelation 22:20] - - - - Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George W. Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1948), pp. 165-166.
Included as evidence of another Founder with a passionate faith in Jesus Christ, not that of a deist.
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Roger Sherman - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; “MASTER BUILDER OF THE CONSTITUTION”; JUDGE; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; U. S. SENATOR
"I believe that there is one only liv¬ing and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him." - - - - Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. 271-273.
Another example of our Founding Fathers with Christian faith, not that of deist.
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Richard Stockton - JUDGE; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
"I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the being of God; the universal defection and depravity of human nature; the Divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior; the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit; of Divine faith accompanied with an habitual virtuous life; and the universality of the Divine Providence . . ." - - - - Will of Richard Stockton, dated May 20, 1780.
Another example of a Founding Father with Christian faith, not that of a deist.
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Joseph Story - U. S. CONGRESSMAN; “FATHER OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE”; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON
"One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law. There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying at its foundations." - - - - Joseph Story, Life and Letters of Joseph Story, William W. Story, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1851), Vol. II, p. 8.
Another example of our Founding Fathers Christian views, not a deist.
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Caleb Strong - DELEGATE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO FRAME THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; RATIFIER OF THE CONSTITUTION; U. S. SENATOR; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS
"He called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . . all nations may know and be obedient to that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ." - - - - Caleb Strong, Governor of Massachusetts, Proclamation for a Day of Fasting, Prayer and Humiliation, February 13, 1813, from a proclamation in our possession, Shaw #29090.
Note the date, years after the framing of the 1st Amendment and he is a part of framing that Amendment saw on conflict with the U. S. Constitution in calling for prayer and obedience to Jesus Christ. This did not a deist.
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Zephaniah Swift - U. S. CONGRESSMAN; DIPLOMAT; JUDGE; AUTHOR OF AMERICA’S FIRST LEGAL TEXT (1795)
"Jesus Christ has in the clearest manner inculcated those duties which are productive of the highest moral felicity and consistent with all the innocent enjoyments, to which we are impelled by the dictates of nature. Religion, when fairly considered in its genuine simplicity and uncorrupted state, is the source of endless rapture and delight." - - - - Zephaniah Swift, The Correspondent (Windham: John Byrne, 1793), p. 135.
Another example of our Founding Fathers Christian view, not that of a deist.
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Charles Thomson - SECRETARY OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; DESIGNER OF THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES; ALONG WITH JOHN HANCOCK, THOMSON WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO FOUNDERS TO SIGN THE INITIAL DRAFT OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE APPROVED BY CONGRESS
"I am a Christian. I believe only in the Scriptures, and in Jesus Christ my Savior." - - - - The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush; His “Travels Through Life” together with his Commonplace Book for 1789-1813, George W. Carter, editor (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1948), p. 294, October 2, 1810.
Another example of the Christian faith of our Founders, not that of a deists.
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Jonathan Trumbull - JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT; CONFIDANT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AND CALLED “BROTHER JONATHAN” BY HIM
"The examples of holy men teach us that we should seek Him with fasting and prayer, with penitent confession of our sins, and hope in His mercy through Jesus Christ the Great Redeemer." - - - - Jonathan Trumbull, Proclamation for a Day of Fasting and Prayer, March 9, 1774, from a proclamation in our possession, Evans #13210.
Another example of the Christian faith of our Founding Fathers, not that of a deists.
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George Washington - JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; “FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY”
"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." - - - - George Washington, The Writings of Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1932), Vol. XI, pp. 342-343, General Orders of May 2, 1778.
It is unlikely that our first President George Washington would be calling us to the character of Christian were he a deist.
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Daniel Webster - U. S. SENATOR; SECRETARY OF STATE; “DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION”
"[T]he Christian religion – its general principles – must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society." - - - - Daniel Webster, Mr. Webster’s Speech in Defence of the Christian Ministry and in Favor of the Religious Instruction of the Young. Delivered in the Supreme Court of the United States, February 10, 1844, in the Case of Stephen Girard’s Will (Washington: Printed by Gales and Seaton, 1844), p. 41.
Notice the date on which the Defender of the Constitution said that the Christian religion, and its general principles, are the foundation of our civil society. My thoughts are not original, they come from good sources, our Founders.
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Noah Webster - REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER; JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; EDUCATOR; “SCHOOLMASTER TO AMERICA”
"[T]he religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles… This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government." - - - - Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie and Peck, 1832), p. 300, ¶ 578.
Noah Webster said we were a free country because of Christianity, this is not the thought of a deist.
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John Witherspoon - SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON
"[C]hrist Jesus – the promise of old made unto the fathers, the hope of Israel [Acts 28:20], the light of the world [John 8:12], and the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth [Romans 10:4] – is the only Savior of sinners, in opposition to all false religions and every uninstituted rite; as He Himself says (John 14:6): “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” - - - - 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.
Notice the date of the letter and to whom it was written and then consider the contents. I could continue posting quote after quote confirming the Christian faith of our Founders. But I hope the few I have posted here will help you see the misinformation that is being propagated about their faith and the foundation of our nation. Please take note, that my comments only followed the actual documented words of the Founders themselves.
May God bless each of you,
David
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