"It
is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of
Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits
and to humbly implore His protection and favor."
George
Washington, Proclaiming a National Day of Prayer and
Thanksgiving, 10-2-1789.
"This
is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion
of Christ will give them one which will make then rich indeed."
Patrick
Henry, "Last Will and Testament, 11-20-1798.
"I
have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty through
the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to
Him for mercy. Pray for me."
Alexander
Hamilton, shortly before his death on 7-12-1804.
"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 a gift of God? That they are not to be violated but
with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect
that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
Thomas
Jefferson, 1781.
"We
have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except
the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that built 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."
Benjamin
Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention, 6-28-1787.
"If we abide by the
principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on
prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity
neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how
sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory
in profound obscurity."
Daniel Webster,
1821
