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Tag: God’s Support for America

The Pious Infidel

The Pious Infidel

First appeared in First Things, March 19, 2008 By Steven Waldman Though the most Deistic of the Founding Fathers, even Jefferson was not a full-fledged Deist if we accept that philosophy as having had two fundamental tenets: a rejection of biblical revelation and a conviction that God, having created the laws of the universe, had receded from day-to-day control and intervention. Jefferson clearly did agree with the first part of Deism. But he did not agree with the second. Jefferson…

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William Willams’s Letter About the Godless Constitution

William Willams’s Letter About the Godless Constitution

William Williams February 11, 1788 In the American Mercury, William Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Connecticut, complains about the failure of the Constitution to invoke God’s Supremacy and protection. He proposes amending the preamble to call upon “the creator and Supreme Governour of the world.” Since the Federal Constitution has had so calm, dispassionate and so happy an issue, in the late worthy Convention of this State; I did not expect any members of that hon….

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Second Annual Message to Congress, President Thomas Jefferson, 1802

Second Annual Message to Congress, President Thomas Jefferson, 1802

Thomas Jefferson December 15, 1802 Even though he supported separation of church and state and criticized much religion, Jefferson still seemed to believe that God protected America. December 15, 1802 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: When we assemble together, fellow-citizens, to consider the state of our beloved country, our just attentions are first drawn to those pleasing circumstances which mark the goodness of that Being from whose favor they flow and the large measure…

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Mayflower Compact, 1620

Mayflower Compact, 1620

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Mayflower Passengers 1620 IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence…

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A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop, 1630

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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…

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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

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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…

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Diary of John Adams, February 21, 1765

Diary of John Adams, February 21, 1765

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John Adams February 21, 1765 Found in his diary, this was a draft of a longer essay on cannon and feudal law. It was a Resolution formed by a sensible People almost in despair. [The Puritans’ decision to leave England and settle in America.] They Puritans had become intelligent in general, and some of them learned but they had been galled, and fretted, and whipped and cropped, and hanged and burned. In short they had been so worried by Plagues…

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Madison’s Proclamation For Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, November 16, 1814

Madison’s Proclamation For Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, November 16, 1814

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James Madison November 16, 1814 Madison had resisted issuing Presidential prayer proclamations but in the midst of the war with Britain, he did provide this message calling for voluntary prayer and repentence. The two Houses of the National Legislature having by a joint resolution expressed their desire that in the present time of public calamity and war a day may be recommended to be observed by the people of the United States as a day of public humiliation and fasting…

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George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

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George Washington January 1, 1790 The liberal sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country stands unrivalled in the history of nations. The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation; and the repeated proofs which my fellow citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite…

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Sixth Annual Message of George Washington, November 19, 1794

Sixth Annual Message of George Washington, November 19, 1794

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George Washington November 19, 1794 In the final paragraph, Washington called upon Divine support for his policies opposing the Whiskey Rebellion. Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of Heaven by which the American people became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our country, and look forward to the riches, power, and happiness to which it seems destined, with the deepest regret do I announce…

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