Thursday, June 30, 2011

FAITH OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS




SHEPHERD TO SHEEP



FAITH OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS

(Hebrews 11:2) For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

GEORGE WASHINGTON: "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 Writings of Washington, pp. 342-343.

JOHN ADAMS: "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." --Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.

THOMAS JEFFERSON: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?” --Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237.

JOHN HANCOCK: "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual…Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." --History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: "Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.” --Benjamin Franklin wrote this in a letter to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale University on March 9, 1790.

SAMUEL ADAMS: “…by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world…that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace." --As Governor of Massachusetts, Proclamation of a Day of Fast, March 20, 1797.

JAMES MADISON: "Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ." --America's Providential History, p. 93.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON: "I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man." --Famous American Statesmen, p. 126.

"Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear that glorious Word! FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, HOLY FAITH! WE WILL BE TRUE TO THEE TILL DEATH. Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, We all shall then be truly free. Faith of our fathers, we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife; And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly words and virtuous life." (Hymn: Frederick W. Faber, 1849)

Louie



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