Posted on Wednesday 25 August 2010
We live in a republic thus highly favored of heaven, and under a social compact from which so many benefits result: and whilst these considerations should animate us with exalted sentiments of patriotism they ought above all to inspire us with becoming gratitude to the great ruler of nations, on whose favor all our happiness depends. George Clinton, Revolutionary General; Governor of New
And I do hereby call upon the people to offer to our Almighty and all-gracious God, through our Great Mediator, our sincere and solemn prayers for his Divine assistance and the influences of His Holy Spirit. Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut
We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning at o’clock sic during the sessions in order to open the meeting with prayer. Elias Boudinot, President of Congress
Let us therefore implore Him to continue his benedictions upon our beloved country, and to grant us unanimity, patriotism, and wisdom, to pursue, at this important session, the most essential interest of this State and of the union. Daniel Tompkins, Governor of New York; Vice President of the U.S.
Numerous similar calls for public prayer were regularly issued by our Founding Fathers and by the Congress. This fact was so clear that it evidently caused the Court to refrain from even raising the issue of historical precedent. As the dissent noted, the Court’s decision was “conspicuously bereft of any reference to history.”
This statement, however, was not completely accurate. Justice Souter, in his concurring opinion, had acknowledged that the Founders allowed, encouraged, and participated in such prayers; but he then accused the Founders of not understanding the meaning of the Constitution they themselves had authored. Souter complained: