Week 3 Restoring Limited Government
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John Adams letter to Thomas Jefferson 40 years after the Declaration
“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” Letter from Adams to Jefferson, June 28, 1813
Alice Baldwin, professor at Duke University
Read the book The New England Clergy and the American Revolution, 1928
- Every point in the Declaration was preached in the American Pulpits prior to 1763
- Pastor’s were so outspoken that none of the ideas in the Declaration were new
First Prayer of the Continental Congress 1774
Described by John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail
Fast declared by Continental Congress
June 1775 letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail
Official Prayer Proclamations
1400 proclamations prior to 1815 (See WallBuilders Proclamations collection)
Gunboat Philadelphia
This is the boat that sank a British 64 cannon ship and a 20 cannon ship. This was mentioned in a letter from John Adams and Abigail Adams. Housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, interestingly, they failed to mention this victory. See The Gunboat Philadelphia article.
Explanation of America’s success
“It appears to me the eternal Son of God is operating powerfully against the British nation.”
–John Adams letter to his wife Abigail explaining what he overheard that conversation
1778 George Washington Letter to Gen. Thomas Nelson Jr
“The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith. And more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations. But it will be time enough for me to turn preacher when my present appointment ceases and therefore I shall add no more on the doctrine of Providence… ” Excerpt of the Letter
1783 Peace Treaty of Paris
“In the Name of the most Holy & undivided Trinity.”
Read the Peace Treaty of Paris
George Washington Farewell Address
- Avoid foreign entanglements
- Focus on American problems
- Avoid debt
- Love principle more than party
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars…”
Read the George Washington Farewell Address
John Adams to the Massachusetts Militia
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
October 11, 1798 read the letter from John Adams to the Massachusetts Militia
Interesting Side Note- Library of Congress
Look what the Library of Congress has to say about Religion and the Founding of the American Republic.
Stephen Caldwell
“It was in the spirit of true Christianity that the hospitality and blessings of the United States were offered to all the world. All were invited to enjoy it. The Christian men of that day intended the nation should continue to be a Christian nation. They did not place Christianity beneath, nor over their political institutions, rather. It was to be the atmosphere which they breathe to administer them. It was a source of their inspiration and they sought to make it the blessing available for human advantage. These institutions and laws were to be the instruments of Christian men for the good of the whole human family.”
God Created Institutions
- Family
- Government
- Church
Legislating Morality
“Are we really supposed to have God in government?… Are you suggesting the government’s going to legislate morality? I just got a newsflash for you. If you’re concerned and you think the government shouldn’t legislate morality, you misunderstand legislation. Every piece of legislation is reflective of somebody’s morality. The reason it’s passed, somebody thought it was right, somebody thought it’s wrong. It’s not a question of are we going to legislate morality. It’s only a question whose morality are we going to legislate?”
-Tim Barton
John Winthrop
Sermon A Model of Christian Charity Puritan political ideas, 1558-1794 by Morgan, Edmund S. (Edmund Sears), 1916- ed page 75
“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us so that if we deal falsely with our God in this work, we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world.”
-John Winthrop
President John Quincy Adams
July 4, 1837 Birthday of the nation linked to birth of the Savior.
“Why is it that next to the birthday of the savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerable festival returns on this day? Is it not that in the shame of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday the Savior? It forms a leading event in the progress of the gospel dispensation?” —
– John Quincy Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Call for prayer at the Constitutional Convention
2-2-2
2 Hours per Week (Lives)
Host classes, attend meetings or civics activities
2% of Fortune (Fortune)
Invest in freedom causes and initiatives
2 Posts per Week (Sacred Honor)
Risk reputation by publicly supporting liberty
In the Tavern
Steps 7-9 for Rebuilding Liberty
7. Restore PARENTAL RIGHTS
8. Restore PROPERTY RIGHTS
9. Abolish any federal department that duplicates state government
For more details on these steps, please visit Patriot Academy’s 250 Celebration page.
