others thoughts
Various thoughts from the founding generation
William Johnson
Member of Continental Congress
Signer of the Constitution
" Your first great duties, you are sensible, are those you own to Heaven, to your Creator and Redeemer. Let those be ever present to your minds, and exemplified in your lives and conduct. Imprint deep upon your minds the principles of piety towards God, and a reverence and fear of the His holy name. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and its consummation is everlasting felicity...Remember, too, that you are the redeemed of the Lord, that you are bought with a price, even the inestimable price of the precious blood of the Son of God. Adore Jehovah, therefore, as your God and your Judge. Love, fear, and serve Him as your Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Acquaint yourselves with Him in His word and holy ordinances. Make Him your friend and protector and your felicity is secured both here and hearafter."
John Witherspoon
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution
" There is one introductory way of reasoning, which may be called comparative, - to reflect on the infinite differences between Christianity and all other pretended revelations...the Christian religion is superior to every other."
"But there is not only an excellence in the Christian morals, but a manifest superiority in them, to those which are derived from any other source..."
"... he is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy to God, I scruple not to call him an enemy to his country."
Charles Carroll
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Last surviving signatory of the document
" Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime & pure, which denounces against the wicked eternal misery, & insures to the good eternal happiness are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."
James Wilson
Signer of the Constitution
Original Justice on U.S. Supreme Court
" Human law must rest its authority, ultimately, upon the authority of that law, which is divine."
"Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, the two sciences run into each other. The divine law, as discovered by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of both."
John Jay
First Chief Justice of
the U.S. Supreme Court
" Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
Elias Boudinot
President of Continental Congress (1782-1783)
First Attorney admitted to SCOTUS Bar
" Let us enter on this Important Business under the Idea that we are Christians, on whom the Eyes of the World are now turned. Christians who profess to see the unhappy mistakes of those who would oppress us. Let us in the first Place conscious of our own weakness, and utter Inability to help defend ourselves, humbly and penitently implore the Aid of that Almighty God, whom we profess to Serve - let us earnestly call and beseech him for Christs sake to preside in our Councills [sic] and to overrule our determination for all the general Good."
Mr. Boudinot letter to his brother, December 19, 1799 regarding the death of George Washington.
" There is a great man fallen in Israel...America will Mourn from the Wast to the South - It is appointed for all men once to die- but after that the judgment - We have great cause of gratitude & thankfulness, amidst our mourning that God in his Providence has continued him so long a public blessing and that he has ended his days crowned with glory -."