Posted on Friday 6 August 2010
Bad examples to youth are rarer in America, which must be comfortable consideration to parents. To this may be truly added, that serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only tolerated, but respected and practised. Atheism is unknown there; infidelity a disbelief in the Scriptures and in Christianity rare and secret; so that persons may live to a great age in that country, without having their piety shocked by meeting with either an atheist or an infidel. While there was some anti-organized-religion sentiment among the Founders e.g., Thomas Paine, Ethan Allen, Charles Lee, Henry Dearborn, those with such views numbered very few among the total number o f Founding Fathers. In fact, even a cursory examination of the Founders’ own declarations in their last wills and testaments provides convincing evidence of the strong religious beliefs evident among so many of them. Observe:
Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul to that Almighty Being who gave it and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins. Samuel Adams, Signer of the Declaration
Firstly I commit my Soul into the hands of God, its great and benevolent author. Josiah Barlett, Signer of the Declaration
First and principally, I commit my Soul unto Almighty God. David Brearley, Signer of the Constitution
Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity. John Dickinson, Signer of the Constitution
I resign my soul into the hands of the Almighty who gave it in humble hopes of his mercy through our Savior Jesus Christ. Gabriel Duvall, Selected as Delegate to Constitutional Convention; U. S. Supreme Court