They Trusted In Something Greater Than Themselves
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The document discusses the deep reliance of America's founding figures on divine guidance and the role of Christianity in the establishment of the nation. It references various historical events, quotes from notable figures, and practices that underscore the significance of faith in governance, including prayer, funding for religious instruction, and the incorporation of religious sentiments in American symbols and documents. The emphasis is on how trust in God has been a foundational aspect of American identity and civic responsibilities.
![Christianity is the Structure
In 1854 the United States House of
Representative declared “It [religion] must
be considered as the foundation on which
the whole structure rests . . . Christianity;
in its general principles, is the great
conservative element on which we must
rely for the purity and permanence of free
institutions.”
Reports of Committees of the House of Representatives Made During the First Session
of the Thirty-Third Congress (Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1854), pp. 1, 6,8-9.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/theytrustedinsomethinggreaterthanthemselves-161207173040/85/They-Trusted-In-Something-Greater-Than-Themselves-16-320.jpg)
They Trusted In Something Greater Than Themselves
- 1. They Trusted In Something Greater Than Themselves Imagine putting your name on this document
- 2. They Trusted the Bible “The most frequently-cited source in the political period known as the Founding Era was the Bible.” Donald S. Lutz, The Origins of American Constitutionalism (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1988), pp. 141-142
- 3. They Prayed “The first act of America’s first Congress in 1774 was to ask a minister to open with prayer and to lead Congress in the reading of four chapters of the Bible;” John Adams, Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1841), Vol. I, pp. 23-24.
- 4. The Declaration of Independence Makes Four References to God. God as Creator – “All people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” God the Lawgiver - “the laws of nature and nature’s God” God the Judge – “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world” God the Protector – “with firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence”
- 5. Congress was Active in Spreading the Gospel “Throughout the American Founding, Congress frequently appropriated money for missionaries and for religious instructions – a practice that Congress repeated for decades after the passage of the Constitution and the First Amendment.” Journals of the Continental Congress (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905), Vol. IV, p. 267 American State Papers (Washington: Gales & Seaton, 1832), Vol. IV, p. 546
- 6. Upon Approving the Declaration of Independence John Adams declared that the Fourth of July “ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” John Adams, Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1841) , Vol. I, p. 128, to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776.
- 7. Four Days after approving the Declaration of Independence The Liberty Bell was rung. The Liberty Bell was named for the Biblical inscription from Leviticus 25:10 emblazoned around it: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof”
- 8. Congress had Bibles Printed In 1777, Congress, facing a national shortage of “Bibles for our schools, and families, and for the public worship of God in our churches,” announced that they “desired to have a Bible printed under their care and by their encouragement” and therefore ordered 20,000 copies of the Bible to be imported “into the different ports of the States of the Union.” Letters of the Delegates to the Continental Congress, Paul H. Smith, editor (Washington D.C.: Library of Congress, 1981), Vol. VII, p. 311, n1.
- 9. Congress Printed Bibles In 1782, Congress pursued a plan to print a Bible that would be “a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools” and therefore approved the production of the first English-language Bible printed in America that contained the congressional endorsement that “the United States in Congress assembled . . . Recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United State.” Journals of the Continental Congress
- 10. Benjamin Franklin acknowledged God In 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin declared: “God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? … Without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.” James Madison, The Papers of James Madison, Henry D. Gilpin, editor (Washington: Langtree and O’Sullivan, 1840), Vol. II, pp. 984-986, June 28, 1787.
- 11. Statements from signers of the Constitution. The following are declarations about the Constitution: James Madison – “the finger of that Almighty Hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution.” George Washington – “little short of a miracle” Benjamin Franklin believed its writing had been “influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent Ruler, in Whom all inferior spirits live, and move, and have their being.”
- 12. Other points: • 1787-88 – State conventions to ratify the U.S. Constitution began with prayer and met in church buildings. • 1795 – during construction of the Capitol, a practice was instituted whereby “public worship is now regularly administered at the Capitol, every Sunday morning, at 11 o’clock” • The debates in Several Conventions, on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution • Federal Orrery, Boston, July 2, 1795, p. 2.
- 13. Hiring of Chaplains 1789 – the first federal Congress (Same congress that framed the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment) appropriated federal funds to pay chaplains to pray at the opening of all sessions, a practice that has continued to this day, with Congress not only funding its congressional chaplains but also the salaries and operations of more than 4,500 military chaplains.
- 14. Congress Declared Thanksgiving 1789 – The same Congress that that drafted the First Amendment requested President Washington to declare a national day of prayer and thanksgiving, resulting in the first federal official Thanksgiving proclamation that declared “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.”
- 15. Founding Fathers not afraid of Religion 1853 – U. S. Senate declared that the Founding Fathers “had no fear or jealousy of religion itself, nor did they wish to see us an irreligious people . . . They did not intend to spread over all the public authorities and the whole public action of the nation the dead and revolting spectacle of atheistical apathy” The Report of Committees of the Senate of the United State for the Second Session of the Thirty-Second Congress, 1852-53 (Washington: Robert Armstrong, 1853), pp. 1-4.
- 16. Christianity is the Structure In 1854 the United States House of Representative declared “It [religion] must be considered as the foundation on which the whole structure rests . . . Christianity; in its general principles, is the great conservative element on which we must rely for the purity and permanence of free institutions.” Reports of Committees of the House of Representatives Made During the First Session of the Thirty-Third Congress (Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1854), pp. 1, 6,8-9.
- 17. Trust in God added to coinage On 1864, by law, Congress added “In God We Trust” to American coinage.”
- 18. Life of Christ printed by government Beginning in 1904 and continuing for a half- century, the Federal government printed and distributed The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, by Thomas Jefferson for the use of Members of Congress because of the important teachings it contained.
- 19. Quotes: George Washington: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports” “Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths in the courts of justice?”
- 20. John Adams: “As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgement of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him”
- 21. Thomas Jefferson: • During his presidency church services were begun at the Executive Branch building under his control • He urged local governments to make land available specifically for Christian purposes • He provided Federal funding for missionary work among Indian tribes. • He declared that religious schools would receive “the patronage of the government”.
- 22. Jefferson statement on the Jefferson Memorial “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
- 23. Andrew Jackson declared the Bible “is the rock on which our Republic rests”
- 24. Abraham Lincoln declared that the Bible “is the best gift God has given to men. . . But for it, we could not know right from wrong.”
- 25. William McKinley “Our faith teaches us that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers, Who has so singularly favored the American people in every national trial and Who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments and walk humbly in His footsteps.”
- 26. President Teddy Roosevelt “The Decalogue and the Golden Rule must stand as the foundation of every successful effort to better either our social or our political life.”
- 27. Woodrow Wilson “America was born to exemplify the devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture”
- 28. Herbert Hoover “American life is built, and can alone survive, upon . . . The fundamental philosophy announced by the Savior nineteen centuries ago.”
- 29. Franklin D. Roosevelt “If we will not prepare to give all that we have and all that we are to preserve Christian civilization in our land, we shall go to destruction.”
- 30. Harry S. Truman “The fundamental basis of this Nation’s law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.”
- 31. Dwight D. Eisenhower “Without God there could be no American form of government, not an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first – the most basic – expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America say it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.” - A declaration later repeated by Gerald Ford
- 32. John F. Kennedy “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”
- 33. Supreme Court Justice John Jay, an author of the Federalist Papers and original Justice of the Supreme Court: “The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the Source from which they flow.”
- 34. Justice James Wilson, a signer of the Constitution: “Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of the law which is Divine. . . . Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sister, friends, and mutual assistants.”
- 35. Justice William Paterson, a signer of the Constitution “Religion and morality …are necessary to good government, good order, and good laws.”
- 36. All sessions of the United State Supreme Court begin with the Court’s Marshal announcing, “God save the United States and this honorable court.”
- 37. Supreme Court Declaration The Supreme Court of the United States affirmed by a unanimous ruling: “This is a religious people . . . From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation.” Church of the Holy Trinity v. U. S., 457, 458, 465-468, 471 (1892)
- 38. “In God We Trust” Is prominently displayed in both the United States House and Senate Chambers.
- 39. The Ten Commandments • Ingrained in bronze in the floor of the National Archives • In a bronze statue of Moses in the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress • In numerous locations at the U. S. Supreme Court – In the frieze above the Justices – The oak door at the rear of the Chamber – The gable Apex – Dozens of other locations on the bronze latticework surrounding the Supreme Court Bar seating.
- 40. Verses on the Washington Monument • “Holiness to the Lord” (Ex. 28:26, Isa. 23:18, Zech. 14:20 • “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39) • “The Memory of the just is blessed” (Prov. 10:7) • Also: • “May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence” • “In God we Trust” • On the capstone “Laus Deo” Praise be to God
- 41. What Can you Do? • Make sure you have strong faith in Jesus Christ • Don’t trust in human efforts without Christ • Vote for men of faith • Pray for our men in office to be directed by God • Share your faith • Defend the faith • Warn people of historical revisionists.
- 42. Don’t be Apathetic “To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” (1918) - Theodore Roosevelt Get your facts right. Don’t listen to everything you’re told.
- 43. Relevant Today “God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? … Without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.” Benjamin Franklin
- 44. “If we will not prepare to give all that we have and all that we are to preserve Christian civilization in our land, we shall go to destruction.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
- 45. They Trusted In Something Greater Than Themselves The last line reads, “… With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. Would You sign it?