Blog

Maryland Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

Maryland Constitution of 1776, Declaration of Rights

Comments 0 Comment

Maryland January 1, 1776 The Constitution provided religious freedom for Christians; allowed for taxes to pay for church contruction, clergy salaries and other religious functions; and limited public offices to Christians. XXXIII. That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore no person ought by any law to be molested in…

Read More Read More

Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649

Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649

Comments 0 Comment

Maryland 1649 Though Maryland was founded as America’s lone bastion for Catholics, the state nonetheless put strong restrictions on religious freedom Forasmuch as in a well governed and Xpian Comon Weath matters concerning Religion and the honor of God ought in the first place to bee taken, into serious consideracon and endeavoured to bee settled. Be it therefore ordered and enacted by the Right Hoble Cecilius Lord Baron of Baltemore absolute Lord and Proprietary of this Province with the advise…

Read More Read More

Luther Martin Complains About Lack of Religious Test in Constitution (Genuine Information XII)

Luther Martin Complains About Lack of Religious Test in Constitution (Genuine Information XII)

Comments 0 Comment

Luther Martin February 8, 1788 Although some praised the Constitution for banning religious tests for public office, others feared that it would lead to Pagans, Jews, and Muslims taking office and Catholicism becoming the official religion. Responses came from two leading federalists, James Spencer and James Iredell, who later became a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. The part of the system, which provides that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under…

Read More Read More

Letter from Jonas Phillips to President and Members of the Constitutional Convention

Letter from Jonas Phillips to President and Members of the Constitutional Convention

Comments 0 Comment

Jonas Phillips September 7, 1787 A Jew from Philadelphia writes to the Constitutional Convention urging them to reject a Pennsylvania law requiring that office holders pledge allegiance to the New Testament. With leave and submission I address myself To those in whome there is wisdom understanding and knowledge. they are the honourable personages appointed and Made overseers of a part of the terrestrial globe of the Earth, Namely the 13 united states of america in Convention Assembled, the Lord preserve…

Read More Read More

A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

Comments 0 Comment

John Winthrop 1630 OD ALMIGHTY in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.The Reason hereof: 1st Reason. First to hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of His power…

Read More Read More

A Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke

A Letter Concerning Toleration by John Locke

Comments 0 Comment

John Locke The Founding Fathers were influenced by the writings of English philosopher John Locke. Now that the whole jurisdiction of the magistrate reaches only to these civil concernments, and that all civil power, right, and dominion, is bounded and confined to the only care of promoting these things; and that it neither can nor ought in any manner to be extended to the salvation of souls, these following considerations seem unto me abundantly to demonstrate. First. Because the care of…

Read More Read More

Letter from John Cotton to Lord Say and Sele, 1636

Letter from John Cotton to Lord Say and Sele, 1636

Comments 2 comments

John Cotton 1636 This leading Puritan advocated theocracy over democracy: “I do not conceyve that ever God did ordeyne as a fitt government eyther for church or commonwealth” The word of God doe conteyne a short … platforme, not onely of theology, but also of other sacred sciences … attendants, and hand maids thereunto, which he maketh ethicks, eoconomicks, politics, church-government, prophecy, academy. It is very suitable to Gods all-sufficient wisdome, and to the fulnes and perfection of Holy Scriptures,…

Read More Read More

Message from John Adams to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massacusetts

Message from John Adams to the Officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massacusetts

Comments 0 Comment

John Adams October 11, 1798 In this letter Adams declares point blank that, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Gentleman, While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination…

Read More Read More

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, September 14, 1818

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, September 14, 1818

Comments 0 Comment

John Adams September 14, 1818 Adams bristles as the Calvinist notion that a man’s fate is determined by the grace of God instead of good works. He rejects the idea that non-Christians who lead good lives will go to Hell, and poses an alternative definition of being a good Christian. owe you a thousand thanks for your favor of August 22d, and its inclosures, and for Doctor Priestley’s ” Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy compared with those of Revelation.” Your letter…

Read More Read More

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813

Letter from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813

Comments 0 Comment

John Adams December 25, 1813 Though praising Christianity, Adams also finds much that he likes in Eastern religions. Joseph Priestley was a leading scientist and theologian, who helped found Unitarianism. Answer my letter at your leisure. Give yourself no concern. I write as a refuge and protection against ennui. The fundamental principle of all philosophy and all Christianity is, “Rejoice always in all things.” “Be thankful at all times for all good, and all that we call evil.” Will it…

Read More Read More