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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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“Detached Memoranda” by James Madison, 1817

“Detached Memoranda” by James Madison, 1817

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James Madison January 1, 1817 In 1946, this amazing document was found in the files of Madison’s earliest biographer. explaining his views on a wide variety of issues – especially religious freedom. In this “Detached Memoranda,” thought to have been written between 1817-32, Madison gave his reasoning for his positions and actions on a variety of church-state issues including his opposition congressional chaplains, military chaplains, his vetoes of religion-related laws. The danger of silent accumulations & encroachments by Ecclesiastical Bodies…

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George Washington, Proclamation: A National Thanksgiving, October 3, 1789

George Washington, Proclamation: A National Thanksgiving, October 3, 1789

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George Washington October 3, 1789 Washington went much farther than modern politicians in leading the country in prayer and praise of God. Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 15, 1776

George Washington, General Orders, May 15, 1776

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George Washington May 15, 1776 Washington implements Congress order for a day of Thanksgiving and prayer. Head Quarters, New York, May 15, 1776. Parole Barre. Countersign Dublin. The Continental Congress having ordered, Friday the 17th. Instant to be observed as a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer, 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…

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George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

George Washington, General Orders, May 05, 1778

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George Washington May 5, 1778 Washington called for prayers of thanks after France formally allied with the Colonists. Earlier, Washington had clamped down on anti-Catholic bigotry in the Continental Army in part because he knew the new nation would need support from France, a Catholic nation. Head Quarters, V. Forge, Tuesday, May 5, 1778. AFTER ORDERS It having pleased the Almighty ruler of the Universe propitiously to defend the Cause of the United American-States and finally by raising us up…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 16, 1775

George Washington, General Orders, July 16, 1775

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George Washington July 16, 1775 Washington orders his troops to worship and abide by Congress’s declaration of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 16, 1775. Parole Carolina. Countersign Springfield. The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next the 20th. Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the english Colonies upon this Continent, as a Day of public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts and Voice unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and…

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George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

George Washington, General Orders, July 09, 1776

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George Washington July 9, 1776 George Washington announces the new policy of providing military chaplains. Head Quarters, New York, July 9, 1776. Parole Manchester. Countersign Norfolk. John Evans of Capt. Ledyards Company Col McDougall’s Regiment–Hopkins Rice of Capt. Pierce’s Company Col Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at…

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Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777

Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777

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Continental Congress November 1, 1777 During the War of Independence, the Continental Congress approved several proclamations of prayer. At this point, the proclamations were overtly Christian (“through the Merits of Jesus Christ”). This proclamation, like others, not only thanks for God’s support in the war but also asked for His forgiveness the Colonists “manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour” from God. IN CONGRESS November 1, 1777 FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore…

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Benjamin Franklin’s Request for Prayers at the Constitutional Convention

Benjamin Franklin’s Request for Prayers at the Constitutional Convention

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Benjamin Franklin July 28, 1787 The Constitutional Convention had been meeting for five weeks, and had hit a perilous deadlock. The large states were insisting that congressional representation be based on population; the smaller states wanted a one-state-one-vote rule. The entire effort to create a stronger union was in jeopardy. Eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin, quiet during most of the deliberations, then addressed the group. According to James Madison’s notes, here is what happened next. Mr. President The small progress we have…

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Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion by Benjamin Franklin, November 20, 1728

Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion by Benjamin Franklin, November 20, 1728

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Benjamin Franklin November 20, 1728 Franklin had difficulty imagining that the Supreme Being could possibly be interested in the petty needs – or prayers – of Earthlings. Yet He believed that humans have a powerful need “to pay Divine Regards to SOMETHING.” So, ever the engineer, Franklin concluded that God created a system of deputy gods, one for each solar system. Despite his Puritan upbringing, he envisioned a warm, loving God. “I should be happy to have so wise, good…

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