Faith Quotes from our Founding Fathers
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.While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.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
George Washington (President of the Constitutional Convention, First President of the United States)
George Washington (President of the Constitutional Convention, First President of the United States)
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.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.I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Thomas Jefferson (Signer of the Declaration of Independence & Third President of the United States)
Thomas Jefferson (Signer of the Declaration of Independence & Third President of the United States)
A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way.
James Madison (Signer of the Constitution, Author of the Federalist Papers, Framer of the Bill of Rights, Fourth President of the United States)
James Madison (Signer of the Constitution, Author of the Federalist Papers, Framer of the Bill of Rights, Fourth President of the United States)
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 Quincy Adams (Sixth President of the United States)
John Quincy Adams (Sixth President of the United States)
Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.
John Hancock (Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of Congress, Revolutionary General)
John Hancock (Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of Congress, Revolutionary General)
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer, like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and guilding, lies here, food for worms. Yet the work itself shall not be lost; for it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by the Author.
Benjamin Franklin (Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution)
Benjamin Franklin (Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution)
Being a Christian… is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.The Bible… is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.
Patrick Henry (Revolutionary General, “THE VOICE OF LIBERTY”, Ratified of the Constitution)
Patrick Henry (Revolutionary General, “THE VOICE OF LIBERTY”, Ratified of the Constitution)
