AMERICAN FOUNDING FATHERS VIGNETTES
The ‘Father of Our Country’: George Washington
From "Faith and Our Founding Fathers" script:
Of George Washington’s virtue and the cause of
America’s Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote,
"The moderation and virtue of a single character probably prevented this Revolution from being closed, as most others have been, by a subversion of that liberty it was intended to establish."
George Washington’s mother and father, Mary and Augustine Washington planted the seeds of faith in his son’s life from his early childhood, teaching him that love for the Lord, should come before all else.
As was the case in most New England homes of America’s Independence era, the Holy Bible was read regularly in the home of young George Washington. When Washington was leaving home to begin what would become a lifelong service for his country, he recorded the parting words of his mother:
“Remember that God is our only sure trust. To him I commend you...my son, neglect not the duty of secret prayer.”
George Washington kept a personal prayer book, written in his own handwriting, for each day of the week. Here is an excerpt, which provide insight into the depth of his Christian faith:
Monday Morning...”Oh eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before Thy Divine Majesty, beseeching thee to accept my humble and heart thanks...Direct my thoughts, word and works, wash away my sins in the Immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit...Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in Thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life. Bless my family, friends and kindred, and unite us all in praising and glorifying Thee in all our works.”
General George Washington designated days of prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord throughout America’s war for Independence, ordered:
“...humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation…
The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger--The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.”
In June of 1779, near his his headquarters on the Hudson River, General George Washington’s private
prayer was recorded:
“And now, Almighty Father, if it is thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and name among nations of the Earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for Thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey Thee. Bless us with Thy wisdom in our counsels, success in battle, and let all our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow, also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace. Grant the petition of Thy servant, for the sake of Him whom Thou hast called Thy beloved Son; nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done.”
The account of George Washington at the Battle at the Monongahela was included in student textbooks until 1934. In this incident, George Washington had to say about his experience:
“By the all-powerful dispensation of Providence (Which he often referred to the Grace of God), I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.”
The famous Indian warrior who was in that battle, said:
“Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle, and after all could not bring him to the ground.”
When George Washington went back to visit the region, fifteen years later, the tribe’s Indian Chief pointed to Washington, and exclaimed to his men:
“Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man, and guides his destinies-he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”
Washington was later visited by Indian tribal chiefs, who had requested that their youth be trained in American schools. Washington assured them, commenting:
“Congress will look upon them as their own children...you do well to wish to learn our arts and way of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.”
Founding Father John Adams
John Adams was America's second President, George Washington's Vice President, and by all accounts the main force behind the Declaration of Independence. It was Adams who urged Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. It was Adams who recommended that Congress appoint George Washington to be Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. And it was Adams who, along with John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, negotiated the final treaty with Great Britain ending the Revolutionary War.
In his diary entry dated February 22, 1756, John Adams wrote:
“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love and reverence toward Almighty God...What a Utopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”
On July 1, 1776, John Adams declared before the Continental Congress, as the 13 colonies were getting ready to sever ties from Great Britain:
“Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgement approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever!”
On July 3, 1776, John Adams made this statement, regarding America's decision the previous day to declare independence from Great Britain:
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America, to be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival, commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty from one end of the Continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”
Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson
Third American President Thomas Jefferson began his federal career in 1789 as Secretary of State to President George Washington; one of his early assignments was to oversee the layout and construction of Washington, D. C. In late 1800, the new Capitol building was ready, and on December 4, Congress (with Vice President Thomas Jefferson presiding over the U. S. Senate) approved a plan whereby Christian church services would be held each Sunday in the Capitol.
As president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson faithfully attended the Capitol church (arriving each week on horseback), and did not even allow bad weather to impede his attendance. He had the Marine Band play at the worship services, and under his tenure Sunday services were also started at the War Department and Treasury Department.
Of his faithful participation at the Capitol church, he explained: “No nation has ever existed or been governed without religion – nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I, as Chief Magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my example.”
Other presidential actions of Jefferson included:
• Urging local governments to make land available specifically for Christian purposes
• Federally funding Christian missionaries to the Indians and providing funds to erect a church building in which they might worship
• Assuring a Christian school in the newly purchased Louisiana Territory that it would receive “the patronage of the government”
• Closing presidential documents with “In the year of our Lord Christ”
Before his presidency and while Governor of Virginia, Jefferson called for a time of prayer and thanksgiving, asking the people to give thanks:
“...that He hath diffused the glorious light of the Gospel, whereby through the merits of our gracious Redeemer we may become the heirs of His eternal glory.”
His call further asked Virginians to pray that:
“He would grant to His church the plentiful effusions of Divine grace and pour out His Holy Spirit on all ministers of the Gospel; that He would bless and prosper the means of education and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth.”
FOUNDING FATHER JAMES MADISON
Fourth President of the United States James Madison is known as the father of the U.S. Constitution. He was also the primary author of the Bill of Rights and engineered the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
Madison believed that Christianity was the foundation upon which a just government must be built.
On June 20, 1785, Madison stated:
“Religion [is] the basis and Foundation of Government.”
Madison expressed strong sentiments on the future of American civilization, stating:
“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”
In 1788, Madison stated:
“The belief in God all powerful wise and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters and capacities to be impressed with it.”
On November 9, 1772, Madison wrote to his close college friend, William Bradford:
“A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the annals of Heaven.”
FOUNDING PATRIOT: PATRICK HENRY
Founding framer and gifted political orator, Patrick Henry was one of the bright lights of the United States' revolutionary generation. Henry was at the forefront of colonial agitation over British policy beginning with his fiery protests against the Stamp Act of 1765. He later served as Governor of Virginia and as a member of the First Continental Congress. Henry is probably best known for his famous declaration, "give me liberty or give me death," made during a speech before the Virginia Convention in 1775. As a five-time Governor of Virginia, he once declared:
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
On another occasion he said, pointing to his Bible:
“The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”
On November 20, 1798, in his Last Will and Testament, Patrick Henry wrote:
“This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.”
On his death bed, Patrick Henry said:
“Doctor, I wish you to observe how real and
beneficial the religion of Christ is to a man about to die....I am, however, much consoled by reflecting that the religion of Christ has, from its first appearance in the world, been attacked in vain by all the wits, philosophers, and wise ones, aided by every power of man, and its triumphs have been complete.”
Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin
For the two decades before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin was the world’s most famous American.
Franklin was a celebrated scientist and inventor.1 His electrical experiments had won him the Royal Society's Copley Medal, the 18th Century equivalent of the Nobel Prize, and his inventions included the lightning conductor, the first map of the Gulf Stream and a new musical instrument in the glass armonica – for which Gluck, Mozart and Beethoven all composed concertos. Franklin’s genius was internationally acclaimed, with Immanuel Kant describing him as “The Prometheus of Modern Times” and David Hume hailing him as America’s “first great man of letters”.
Franklin, son of a poor candlemaker, was born
the 15th of 17 children. He apprenticed as a printer and rose to publish a popular almanac, and founded one of America’s first newspapers.
He retired at age 42, then taught himself five languages, invented the rocking chair, bifocal glasses and the lighting rod, which earned him degrees from Harvard and Yale.
He helped found the University of Pennsylvania, a hospital, America's first postal system and fire department.
He became the governor of Pennsylvania, signed the Declaration of Independence and called for prayer at the Constitutional Convention.
He was president of America's first anti-slavery society.
When France and Spain were raiding the American colonies, Ben Franklin proposed a General Fast, which was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, December 12, 1747:
"We have...thought fit...to appoint...a Day of Fasting & Prayer, exhorting all, both Ministers & People...to join with one accord in the most humble & fervent supplications that Almighty God would mercifully interpose and still the rage of war among the nations & put a stop to the effusion of Christian blood."
In a pamphlet for Europeans titled Information to Those Who Would Remove to America, 1754, Benjamin Franklin wrote:
"Atheism is unknown there; Infidelity rare and secret; so that persons may live to a great age in that country without having their piety shocked by meeting with either an Atheist or an Infidel.
In July of 1776, the Congress appointed Franklin to a committee charted to develop a seal for the new United States of America -- a seal that would capture the spirit and character of the new nation. This is what Franklin proposed:
“Moses lifting up his wand, and dividing the Red Sea, and Pharaoh in his chariot overwhelmed with the waters. This motto: 'Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.'”
Here's what Franklin wrote in a letter dated March 1778 to the Ministry of France:
“Whoever shall introduce into public affairs the principals of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.”
In addition, Franklin wrote:
“A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good
school in every district -- all studied and appreciated
as they merit -- are the principal support of virtue,
morality, and civil liberty.”
In his Poor Richard's Almanac, May 1757, Ben Franklin
wrote:
"Work as if you were to live 100 years; pray as if you
were to die tomorrow."
Benjamin Franklin wrote in his Articles of Belief and Acts
of Religion:
"It is that particular wise and good God, who is the
Author and Owner of our system, that I propose for
the Object of my praise and adoration. For I conceive
that He has in Himself some of those passions He
has planted in us, and that, since He has given us
reason whereby we are capable of observing His
wisdom in the Creation, He is not above caring for
us, being pleas'd with our praise, and offended when
we slight Him, or neglect His Glory. I conceive for
many reasons that He is a good Being, and as I
should be happy to have so wise, good and powerful
a Being my Friend, let me consider in what Manner I
shall make myself most acceptable to Him."
FOUNDING FATHER JOHN HANCOCK
Hancock’s faith even though it strongly shaped his view of the world and his actions. A life-long member of the Brattle Street (Congregationalist) Church in Boston, Hancock frequently used biblical arguments to justify America’s revolt against England and providentialist language to describe its battle to obtain independence. In addition, while serving as Massachusetts’ governor, he repeatedly thanked God for blessing its residents, exhorted them to repent of their sins, and strove to base state policies on his understanding of the biblical norms of justice and fairness. Convinced that moral conduct depended on Christian commitment, he supported the establishment of Congregationalism in Massachusetts and the strict observance of the Sabbath.
In numerous statements as president of the Congress and governor of Massachusetts, Hancock asserted that God was sovereign over earthly affairs and reassured Americans of His blessings. Writing to the leaders of the Continental Army in March 1776, Hancock proclaimed that the same God who had baffled the British attempt to conquer Massachusetts would defeat their “deep-laid scheme” against other colonies. In an appeal to all the states in September 1776, he declared that members of Congress relied firmly “on Heaven for the justice of our cause.” “I am persuaded,” he added, that “under the gracious smiles of Providence, assisted by our own most strenuous endeavors, we shall finally succeed.” In his inaugural address as governor in 1780, Hancock praised God for “the peaceable and auspicious” adoption of a state constitution. In 1782 Hancock assured members of the Massachusetts legislature that “the favor of heaven” would eventually establish America’s righteous claims. Hancock’s Thanksgiving proclamation the next year exhorted citizens to express their gratitude for God’s numerous blessings and to recognize their “entire Dependence” on “His Goodness and Bounty.”
Hancock’s contributions to American independence and to the political foundation and success of the new nation were monumental. As the president of the Continental Congress for two-and-a-half grueling years, he effectively mediated between various factions and helped convince them to work together. When competing interests threatened to tear the fledgling country apart, Hancock supplied a symbol of stability, moderation, and compromise that enabled Americans to elevate their mutual goals above their selfish desires. His effective leadership helped preserve the unity essential to winning the war against Britain. He guided delegates through numerous crises, including resolving their 15-month debate over the Articles of Confederation. As governor, Hancock helped persuade the Massachusetts constitutional convention to support the Bill of Rights, contributing to its passage.
Hancock played the principal role in Massachusetts politics for almost a quarter of a century and did much to attain and preserve American independence. Although Hancock’s vanity, lavish lifestyle, and some of his business practices conflicted with Christian principles, his faith appeared to be genuine and helped motivate his sacrifices for his nation and his concern for the poor and needy and informed his political philosophy and service. Many of his letters, speeches, relationships, and actions clearly testify to his religious commitment.
John Hancock, who was the first to sign the Declaration, had been president of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts for a year, when he issued a proclamation calling for "A Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer," referring to "that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness-and all created Power Vanity."
Here is the official prayer proclamation:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
John Hancock, Esquire,
GOVERNOR of the COMMONWEALTH of MASSACHUSETTS.
A PROCLAMATION
For a Day of Public FASTING, HUMILIATION, AND PRAYER.
WHEREAS it hath been the Practice of the People inhabiting the Territory of this Commonwealth, from their first Settlement, at this Season of the Year, unitedly to acknowledge their entire Dependence on the SUPREME BEING, and to humble themselves under a Sense of their utter unworthiness of his Favors, by Reason of their Transgression; and whereas the Practice appears to have a Tendency to cultivate the Fear of God, and a due Regard to HIS LAWS:
I HAVE THEREFORE THOUGHT FIT, by, and with the Advice of the COUNCIL, to appoint, and I hereby do appoint, THURSDAY, the Eleventh Day of April next, to be observed throughout this Commonwealth, as Day of solemn FASTING, HUMILIATION and PRAYER:— Calling upon Ministers, and People of every Denomination, to assemble on that Day, in their respective Congregations; 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 SAVIOUR— Humbly supplicate the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to prosper the Administration of the Federal Government, and that of this Commonwealth, and the other States in the Union; enduing them with Firmness, Wisdom, Unanimity and Public Spirit; and leading them in their respective public Councils, to such Determinations as shall be adapted to Promote the great end of Government:— The Welfare and Happiness of the People:— To restore and maintain Peace in our Borders: Continue Health among us, and give us Wisdom to improve HIS Blessings, for HIS Glory, and our own Good:— To smile upon our Agriculture, and mercifully prevent the diminishing the Fruits of the Earth, by devouring Insects, unseasonable Weather, or other Judgments; that so our Land may abundantly yield its Increase:— That HE would protect and prosper our Navigation, Trade, Fishery, and all the Works of our Hands:— To confirm and continue our invaluable Religious and Civil Liberties:— To prosper the University, and other Seminaries and Means of Education:— To cause Industry, Frugality, and all Moral and Christian Virtues to prevail among us:— To bless the Allies of the United Sates, and particularly to afford his Almighty Aid to the French Nation, and still Guide them into such Measures, as shall tend effectually to establish a Government founded upon Reason, Justice, and the Welfare of the People.— And finally to over-rule 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.
And I do earnestly recommend that all unnecessary Labour and Recreation may be suspended on the said Day.
GIVEN at the COUNCIL-CHAMBER, in Boston, the Fourth Day of MARCH, in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three, and in the Seventeenth Year of the Independence of the United States of America!
JOHN HANCOCK.
By His Excellency’s Command,
with the Advice and Consent of the COUNCIL,
JOHN AVERY, jun. Secretary.
GOD save the Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS!
Printed at BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, at the State Press, by THOMAS ADAMS, PRINTER to the HONORABLE THE GENERAL COURT-1793.
Founding Father Samuel Adams
Known as the "Father of the American Revolution," Sam Adams organized the famous Boston Tea Party, one of the many landmark events that sparked the War of Independence with Great Britain. He also formed the "Committees of Correspondence" which organized the colonists to actively resist the authority of the British Government.
A cousin of John Adams, Sam Adams was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and called the first Continental Congress. He served in the Congress until 1781. Adams was a steadfast Christian. In his work, The Rights of the Colonists, which was circulated in 1772, Adams boldly asserted:
“The right to freedom being the gift of the Almighty...The rights of the colonists as Christians...may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutions of The Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.”
As the Declaration of Independence was being signed in 1776, Sam Adams declared:
“We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.”
Adams wrote these poignant words in his Last Will and Testament:
“Principally, and first of all, I resign my soul to the Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying on the merits of Jesus Christ for the pardon of my sins.”
Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton, a signer of the Constitution and one of America's most pre-eminent founding fathers, was author of 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers, which powerfully made the case for ratifying the Constitution. He famously served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in President George Washington's administration, and is heralded as the founder and chief architect of the American financial system.
Shortly after the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Hamilton stated:
“For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.”
Alexander Hamilton regularly led his household in family prayer. He also wrote about the important connection between political freedom and Christianity, stating:
“I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man.”
A maxim Hamilton wrote goes like this:
'Tis a good old maxim, to which we may safely adhere in most cases, that we ought to do our duty, & leave the rest to the care of heaven.”
His last dying words were:
“I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.”