I understand that the 4th of July is all about hamburgers, hot dogs and fireworks. And ice cream. Ice cream is one of the most awesome foods ever created. But let me get back to the task at hand.
It is always good to remember the good, solid things in life and history. I want to remember some of those things and a few of the artist who were there at the founding of the country. The very thing we celebrate on the 4th of July.
It seems that with a simple reading of the words that came out of the founders mouths about their view of the world and the birth of this nation, you come away with the truth that most of these wise men who risk all had a deep belief in the Bible and the God of these Holy Scriptures.
Below are JUST A FEW quotes from a few of those brilliant men.
Thomas Jefferson – Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Diplomat; Governor of Virginia; Secretary of State; Third President of the United States
“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ. “
“I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others. “
John Quincy Adams – Sixth President of the United States; Diplomat; Secretary of State; U.S. Senator; U.S. Representative
In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.
John Adams – Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Judge; Diplomat; One of Two signers of the Bill of Rights; Second President of the United States
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.
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. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!
George Washington – Judge; Member of the Continental Congress; Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army; President of the Constitutional Convention; First President of the United States; “Father of His Country”
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.
Jonathan Trumbull – Judge; Legislator; Governor of Connecticut; Confidant of George Wachington and called “Brother Jonathan” by him
The examples of holy men teach us that we should seek Him with fasting and prayer, with penitent confession of our sins, and hope in His mercy through Jesus Christ the Great Redeemer.
Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and giver thereof, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial, in firm belief that I shall receive the same again at the general resurrection through the power of Almighty God, and hope of eternal life and happiness through the merits of my dear Redeemer Jesus Christ
Alexander Hamilton (guy on the $10 bill)- Revolutionary General; Signer of the Constitution; Author of the Federalist Papers; Secretary of the Treasury
During the 24 hours he lived after his duel with Aaron Burr in which Alexander Hamilton was mortally wounded, the Rev. J.M. Mason recalled this:
[General Hamilton said] “I went to the field determined not to take his life.” He repeated his disavowal of all intention to hurt Mr. Burr; the anguish of his mind in recollecting what had passed; and his humble hope of forgiveness from his God. I recurred to the topic of the Divine compassion; the freedom of pardon in the Redeemer Jesus to perishing sinners. “That grace, my dear General, which brings salvation, is rich, rich” – “Yes,” interrupted he, “it is rich grace.” “And on that grace,” continued I, “a sinner has the highest encouragement to repose his confidence, because it is tendered to him upon the surest foundation; the Scripture testifying that we have redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins according to the richness of His grace.” Here the General, letting go my hand, which he had held from the moment I sat down at his bed side, clasped his hands together, and, looking up towards Heaven, said, with emphasis, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Samuel Adams – Signer of the Declaration of Independence; “Father of the American Revolution” Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Massachesetts
The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe [Proverbs 18:10]. Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.
I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.
Samuel Adams called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that…
- the peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind.
- we may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free pardon through Jesus Christ, supplicating His Divine aid . . . [and] above all to cause the religion of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, to spread far and wide till the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.
- with true contrition of heart to confess their sins to God and implore forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Daniel Webster – U.S. Senator; Secretary of State; “Defender of the Constitution”
The Christian religion – its general principles – must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.
The Bible is a book… which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man.
Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.
John Witherspoon – Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; President of Princeton
I shall now conclude my discourse by preaching this Savior to all who hear me, and entreating you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ; for “there is no salvation in any other” [Acts 4:12].
The evidence that many of the founders had and lived out a biblical world view is overwhelming. It should call us back to the solid foundation of our country. I hope you have a great and awesome 4th of July.
Most of the information above is from Wall Builders https://wallbuilders.com/
