The Rest Of The News July 4, 1993 Special Edition INDEPENDENCE DAY On this Independence Day, we would like to bring to mind the real foundation that this country was founded upon. Rather than use our own words, we have chosen to let those who have had a part in making this country great speak for themselves. It was the Lord who put into my mind _ I could feel His hand upon me _ the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. Christopher Columbus While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader_. If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security. Samuel Adams To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to add the more distinguished Character of Christian. George Washington It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists [pluralism], but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! Patrick Henry Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof Inscription on the Liberty Bell, from Leviticus 25:10 I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth _ that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probably that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest. I therefore beg leave to move _ that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service. Ben Franklin, to the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787 Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. John Jay US Supreme Court First Chief Justice We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. John Adams Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man towards God. Governeur Morris Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention Statesmen, my dear sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. John Adams The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. John Quincy Adams Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry A patriot without religion, in my estimation, is as great a paradox as an honest man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men? Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of Society? _ The Scriptures tell us righteousness exalteth a Nation. Abigail Adams The brief exposition of the constitution of the United States will unfold to young persons the principles of republican government; and it is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament or the Christian religion. Noah Webster If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, error will be; If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy; If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end. Daniel Webster The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics, or the Lord will curse them_. God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the Church will take right ground. Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God. Charles Finney True Godliness doesn't turn men out of the World, but enables them to live better in it, and excites their endeavors to mend it. William Penn 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 they are a gift of God? Indeed, I tremble for my countrymen, when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoy. In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation, either through unbelief, or the corruption of its doctrines, or the neglect of its institutions; in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom_. All efforts to destroy the foundations of our holy religion, ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness. Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessings which flow from them, must fall with them. Dr. Jedediah Morse Educator, 1780's The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country. Calvin Coolidge We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God_ and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves_to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. Abraham Lincoln The citizen is a better businessman, if he is a Christian gentleman, and, surely, business is not the less prosperous and successful if conducted on Christian principles. Grover Cleveland The higher state to which she [America] seeks the allegiance of all mankind is not human, but of Divine origin. She cherishes no purpose, save to merit the favor of Almighty God. Calvin Coolidge The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights and privileges as American citizens. The time is come _ it now is _ when we ought to hear about the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. America's future depends upon her accepting and demonstrating God's government. Rev. Peter Marshall Chaplain of the US Senate, 1947 =============================================================== Major sources: The Myth Of Separation by David Barton, WallBuilder Press, PO Box 397, Aledo, TX 76008, (817) 441-6044, and The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, Fleming H. Revell Company, Tarrytown, NY. =============================================================== The Rest Of The News is a FAX publication of the Louisiana Action Network, Editor: Anthony R. Perkins. You can contact LAN at PO Box 40702, Baton Rouge, LA 70835. FAX: (504) 262-0251. For a free subscription in the Baton Rouge area, FAX us your name, company name, voice number, and FAX number. Contents may be reprinted.