As we have seen, morality and virtue is an essential principle in a free government. Without it, people just cannot govern themselves. The American Founders understood the greatest tool in achieving both was the propagation of the Gospel. They realized children reared in a Christian home would have the greatest advantage of overcoming their natural tendency toward corruption. Schools that embraced Christian principles would aid in producing a society trending toward a greater morality. A society inculcated in such principles would have a greater tendency toward unity and patriotism.
"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued, but when they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader . . . . If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security." ~ Samuel Adams, February 12, 1779.
"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt." ~ Samuel Adams, quoted from a political essay.
"He, therefore, is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man . . . . The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people." ~ Samuel Adams, 1750.
"Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age, by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, of inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity and universal philanthropy, and, in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country; of instructing them in the art of self-government without which they never can act a wise part in the government of societies, great or small; in short, of leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system." ~ Samuel Adams, October 4, 1790.
Adams called it the Christian system, the manner by which they would instruct and teach a unified understanding of a moral code, behavior acceptable to society, both the government and the governed. Having a unified understanding, the government would promote law and order in a means acceptable and answerable to the people. This would allow for the most peace in society and charitableness among its citizens.
By allowing the Christian religion to flourish the American system of government was reaping the benefits of virtuous people. The greater success the Christian religion had in gaining converts the more virtuous the people became. It taught them to be good citizens, obey the laws, support their government, pray for their leaders. It placed restraints upon their conscience which caused them to despise their own vices and strive to overcome them. This gave a much greater advantage in the task of governance than the strict force of law. We see this in the words of James Mchenry.
"Bibles are strong protections. Where
they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses and at the same time
enjoy quiet conscience." ~ James Mchenry, Signer of the
Constitution, Secretary of War under Presidents Washington and 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." ~ James Mchenry, Signer of the Constitution, Secretary of War under Presidents Washington and Adams.
The American experience gained all these advantages simply by allowing the Gospel to have free course among the people. The government had no need to enforce a religion, that idea has never worked. They understood what the great preacher Charles H. Spurgeon new, "The Word of God is like a lion. You
don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion
loose, and the lion will defend itself." ~ Charles Spurgeon
Understanding these things helps clarify the meaning and purpose of the 1st Amendment, (Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.)
This also sheds light on the problems we are facing today in our society and perhaps a direction to take in solving some of them. This is purely from a political viewpoint, the true nature of the Gospel is not to give hope in government. The true nature of the Gospel is to give life to a fallen people wither they have a free government or tyranny. It is the good news that Jesus Christ redeemed his people with his own blood on the Cross and all who receive him become new creatures. They are born again with new desires and hopes in their hearts. This does bless free governments, but its purpose is to save souls.
The American system has worked well, it has offered men freedom like no other. The Church in turn has preached the Gospel which has turned men from their sins. The result is a people that can be free, for they can govern their own passion and limit their vices creating a society possessed with greater degrees of virtue and less of vices.
May God bless each of you,
David
