120 Questions
In which year did the Continental Congress approve a complete separation from Great Britain?
1776
What is the name of the building where the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence?
Independence Hall
What is the Bible verse emblazoned on the Liberty Bell?
Leviticus 25:10
Where did the first American Congress meet in 1774?
Carpenters Hall
Who led the prayer at the first meeting of the American Congress?
Reverend Jacob Duché
How many signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried in Christ Church?
7
What is the name of the stained-glass window added to Christ Church in 1910?
Patriots Window
Who is one of the elite group of six founding fathers who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?
Robert Morris
When did the Continental Congress read the Declaration of Independence to the crowd outside Independence Hall?
July 8, 1776
What bell was rung to proclaim Liberty throughout the land on July 8, 1776?
Liberty Bell
What was the role of Robert Aitken, a local printer, in American history?
He approached Congress asking permission to print English-language Bibles
Who issued nearly two dozen prayer proclamations, including many calls to prayer, during the American Revolution?
John Hancock
What was the outcome of the battle in which George Washington's life hung in the balance for over two hours?
George Washington's life was spared due to the direct intervention of God
What was the significance of the Bible printed in 1782?
It was the first stereotyped or mass-produced Bible in America
What was the name of the fort built by George Washington and his troops in 1754?
Fort Necessity
What was the role of the Continental Congress in the printing of the Bible in 1782?
They approved and oversaw the printing of the Bible
What was the outcome of the battle in which General Braddock was killed?
The British troops suffered heavy casualties
What was the significance of John Adams' declaration?
It established the principles of Christianity as the foundation of America
What was the name of the reverend who preached a sermon mentioning God's protection of George Washington?
Reverend Samuel Davies
What was the significance of the old Indian chief's statement about George Washington?
He testified to God's protection of George Washington
Who is considered the father of public schools under the Constitution?
Benjamin Rush
Who was the son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a federal judge?
Joseph Hoffman
Who held pew number 70 in Christ Church for 60 years?
Benjamin Franklin
Who played the organ in Christ Church and was responsible for America's first purely American handbook?
Francis Hopkinson
Who was the first American diplomat who was also a member of the first Congress?
Silas Deane
What was the Psalm that had a significant impact on the group during the first Congress?
Psalm 30:5
Where did the Continental Congress meet after the first year in Carpenter's Hall?
Independence Hall
Who was appointed as the Surgeon General of the Continental Army in 1777?
Benjamin Rush
Who went on to become America's second president?
John Adams
How many of America's first four presidents served in Congress in Independence Hall?
All four
At what age was John Quincy Adams appointed to be the official diplomatic secretary to Frances Dana?
14
Under which Presidents did John Quincy Adams serve as a foreign ambassador?
George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison
What title did John Quincy Adams hold under President James Monroe?
Secretary of State
On what day did John Quincy Adams deliver an address in 1837?
The 4th of July
What did John Quincy Adams believe the 4th of July and Christmas had in common?
Both holidays were linked to the gospel dispensation
What did John Quincy Adams believe the Declaration of Independence had established?
The social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission
What was the name of the person who served as the original Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
John Jay
What was the name of the treaty that John Jay helped draft and sign?
The Peace Treaty with Great Britain
Where did John Jay serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
Old City Hall
What did John Quincy Adams believe the Founding Fathers had done on the 4th of July 1776?
Established the principles of Christianity in civil government
John Quincy Adams was appointed to be the official diplomatic secretary to Frances Dana at the age of 10.
False
John Quincy Adams served as a foreign ambassador under Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
True
John Quincy Adams was the Secretary of State under President James Madison.
False
John Quincy Adams delivered an address on the 4th of July in 1835.
False
John Quincy Adams believed that the 4th of July and Christmas were unrelated holidays.
False
John Jay served as the original Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
True
John Quincy Adams was a U.S. Senator under President Thomas Jefferson.
True
John Quincy Adams believed that the Declaration of Independence established a separation between the principles of Christianity and civil government.
False
John Jay drafted and signed the Treaty of Paris.
False
John Jay served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Washington D.C.
False
Benjamin Franklin was a governor of Pennsylvania after the Revolution.
True
Francis Hopkinson was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a federal judge.
False
Pew number 58 in Christ Church was where George and Martha Washington attended church.
True
Robert Morissette attended church in pew number 60.
False
John Penn was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
False
The Reverend Jacob Duché led the prayer at the first meeting of the American Congress.
True
Silas Deane was not a member of the first Congress.
False
Psalm 30:5 was read during the first Congress.
True
Benjamin Rush was the son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a federal judge.
False
Dr. Benjamin Rush was appointed as the Surgeon General of the Continental Army in 1776.
False
The Continental Congress approved a complete separation from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.
False
The Liberty Bell is called so because it rang when America announced Liberty.
False
The first American Congress met in Independence Hall in 1774.
False
The Reverend Jacob deshays led a superficial prayer at the first meeting of the American Congress.
False
Benjamin Franklin was not buried in Christ Church.
False
The Patriots window in Christ Church was added in 1776.
False
Patrick Henry was not one of the 40 luminaries who gathered at Carpenters Hall in 1774.
False
The Continental Congress read the Declaration of Independence to the crowd outside Independence Hall on July 2, 1776.
False
George Washington was not one of the leaders who gathered at Carpenters Hall in 1774.
False
The Liberty Bell was not rung to proclaim Liberty throughout the land on July 8, 1776.
False
The Continental Congress issued 16 separate prayer proclamations during the Revolution.
False
John Hancock was a silent Christian and never publicly practiced his faith.
False
The majority of the founding fathers were atheist and agnostic.
False
Robert Aitken was a local printer who was responsible for printing the Declaration of Independence.
False
George Washington was a skilled military strategist and was never in a situation where his life was in danger.
False
The Continental Congress was a secular government and did not involve itself in religious matters.
False
The Bible printed in 1782 was the first Bible ever printed in America.
True
John Adams was a deist and did not believe in the role of Christianity in the formation of America.
False
The old Indian chief who met with George Washington in 1770 was a bitter enemy of Washington's.
False
The founding fathers were not primarily motivated by Christian principles in their quest for independence.
False
Benjamin Rush was the father of public ______ under the Constitution
schools
Joseph Hoffman was a federal ______
judge
Francis Hopkinson was a signer of the ______ and played the organ in Christ Church
Declaration
Benjamin Franklin held pew number ______ in Christ Church for 60 years
70
George and Martha Washington attended church in pew number ______
58
Francis Hopkinson was responsible for America's first purely American ______
handbook
The Reverend Jacob de Chelly came from Christ Church to open the first American ______ with prayer
Congress
John Penn and his family sat in pew number ______ in Christ Church
52
Pew number ______ is where Robert Morissette sat during services
60
John Adams reported that the prayer had an excellent effect on ______ here
everybody
America's founding fathers approved a complete separation from ______ on July 2, 1776.
Great Britain
The Continental Congress approved the Declaration of ______ on July 4, 1776.
Independence
The Liberty Bell is located in ______, Philadelphia.
Independence Hall
The first American Congress met in ______ in 1774.
Carpenters Hall
Reverend Jacob Duché led a profound time of ______ at the first meeting of the American Congress.
prayer
______ is the church where many of the founding fathers worshipped and are buried.
Christ Church
Seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, including ______, are buried in Christ Church.
Benjamin Franklin
The Patriots window, a famous stained-glass window, was added to Christ Church in ______.
1910
Robert Morris was one of the elite group of six founding fathers who signed both the Declaration of ______ and the Constitution.
Independence
Alexander Hamilton was a signer of the ______ and an author of the Federalist Papers.
Constitution
John Quincy Adams was appointed to be the official diplomatic secretary to Frances Dana at the tender age of ______.
14
John Quincy Adams served as a foreign ambassador under Presidents ______ and James Madison.
George Washington
John Quincy Adams was the Secretary of State under President ______.
James Monroe
John Quincy Adams believed that the 4th of July and Christmas were America's top ______ holidays.
two
According to John Quincy Adams, the Declaration of Independence had established the ______ of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.
cornerstone
John Quincy Adams believed that the Founding Fathers had taken the principles that came into the world to the ______ of Christ and used those principles to build the nation.
birth
John Jay served as the ______ of the Continental Congress in 1778.
president
John Jay was one of the three men most responsible for the adoption of the ______.
Constitution
John Jay was appointed as the original ______ of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Chief Justice
John Quincy Adams delivered an address on the ______ of July in 1837.
fourth
Rusch returned to Congress and in this room leaned over to _______________ Adams and asked him if he thought that we could actually win the revolution.
John
John Hancock issued nearly two dozen such proclamations, calls to _______________ and prayer, including the many calls issued by the Continental Congress.
prayer
In fact, the Continental Congress issued 15 separate _______________ proclamations during the Revolution.
prayer
The Continental Congress approved that _______________ in September 1782, and it soon began rolling off the presses.
Bible
It was here that George Washington was chosen to become the _______________ of the Continental Army in 1775.
Commander-in-Chief
In fact, over the next two hours of the battle, 714 of the 1300 British and American troops were _______________ down.
shot
George Washington explained that after the battle was over, he had taken off his jacket and found four _______________ holes through it.
bullet
The Reverend Samuel Davies expressed his belief that God's special intervention in behalf of Washington during that battle suggested that God probably had something special _______________ for Washington in the future.
planned
President Calvin Coolidge declared that Washington was the directing spirit without which there would have been no _______________, no Union, no Constitution, and no Republic.
independence
John Adams declared that the general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of _______________.
Christianity
Study Notes
America's Godly Heritage
- Abundant documentary evidence supports the fact that America has a godly heritage, with tens of thousands of historic documents to back it up.
Independence Hall
- Independence Hall in Philadelphia is the birthplace of American liberty and the cradle of American constitutional government.
- On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress approved a complete separation from Great Britain.
- On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
- On July 8, 1776, the Continental Congress read the Declaration of Independence to the crowd outside Independence Hall and rang the Liberty Bell.
The Liberty Bell
- The Liberty Bell is named after the Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10, which is emblazoned on the top of the bell: "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof."
- The Liberty Bell was rung on July 8, 1776, to proclaim liberty to the people.
Carpenter's Hall
- Carpenter's Hall is where the first American Congress met in 1774, two years before the Declaration of Independence.
- 40 of America's leading statesmen, including Patrick Henry, John Adams, George Washington, John Jay, and Samuel Adams, gathered at Carpenter's Hall to prepare for the coming conflict with Great Britain.
- The meeting was opened with a profound time of prayer led by Reverend Jacob Duche, a nearby minister from Christ Church.
Christ Church
- Christ Church is where many of the founding fathers, including seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, worshiped and are buried.
- The signers buried at Christ Church include Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and Francis Hopkinson.
- A famous stained-glass window, now called the Patriots Window, was added to the church in 1910, showing many of the founders and famous Americans who attended Christ Church.
Founding Fathers
- Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, attended Christ Church with his family.
- George Washington and his wife Martha attended Christ Church and sat in pew number 58.
- Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, attended Christ Church and sat in pew number 70 for 60 years.
- Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, played the organ at Christ Church and was responsible for America's first purely American handbook in 1767.
Prayer and Bible Study
- The Reverend Jacob Duche led a profound time of prayer at the first American Congress in 1774, which had a profound effect on the delegates.
- The prayer was reported by John Adams to have been "a prayer worth writing 100 miles to hear."
- The delegates also read from four chapters in the Bible, including Psalm 30:5, which had a significant impact on the group.### America's Godly Heritage
- The Continental Congress issued 15 separate prayer proclamations during the American Revolution, calling for days of prayer and fasting or thanksgiving, depending on the circumstances.
- These proclamations were characterized by explicitly Christian language.
- John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence and issued nearly two dozen prayer proclamations, including calls to prayer.
The Founding Fathers' Faith
- Virtually every one of the 55 founding fathers who framed the US Constitution were members of Orthodox Christian churches.
- Many of the founding fathers were outspoken evangelical Christians.
- Nearly half of the 56 founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence had received degrees from schools that would be considered seminaries or Bible schools today.
- Signers of the Declaration of Independence started a Sunday-school movement, numerous Bible societies, and missionary societies.
- They also penned numerous religious works and published several famous Bibles.
America's First Family Bible
- In 1782, Robert Aitken, a local printer, approached Congress asking permission to print English-language Bibles on his presses in Philadelphia.
- Congress approved his request and appointed a congressional committee to oversee the project.
- The committee reported back to Congress that the Bible was ready to print, and on September 12, 1782, Congress officially approved the Bible.
- The Bible was printed in an edition of 20,000, but only about 30 copies remain today, making it one of the rarest books in the world.
George Washington's Faith
- George Washington served as a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and was chosen to become the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
- In 1787, he served as the president of the Constitutional Convention, presiding over the writing of the US Constitution.
- According to a well-documented account, George Washington's life was miraculously spared during the French and Indian War in 1755.
- Washington himself openly acknowledged that it was only by the direct intervention of God that he had remained alive.
- The Reverend Samuel Davies, a leader in the American revival known as the Great Awakening, mentioned God's special intervention in Washington's life in a sermon preached in 1755.
The Battle of Fort Duquesne
-
In 1755, General Edward Braddock and his troops were ambushed by the French and Indians at Fort Duquesne.
-
Of the 1,300 British and American troops, 714 were shot down, and only 30 of the French and Indians were killed.
-
George Washington was the only mounted officer not shot down off his horse and took charge of the remaining troops after General Braddock's death.
-
Washington wrote a letter to his family assuring them that he was still alive, despite reports to the contrary, and attributed his survival to the "miraculous care of Providence."### John Quincy Adams and the American Founding
-
John Quincy Adams was Secretary of State under President James Monroe and later became the sixth President of the United States.
-
He delivered a patriotic address on July 4, 1837, sixty-one years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
-
In his address, Adams asked why July 4 and Christmas were America's top two holidays.
The Connection Between the Declaration of Independence and Christianity
- According to Adams, the birthday of the nation (July 4) is linked with the birthday of the Savior (Christmas).
- The Declaration of Independence was founded on Christian principles, which laid the cornerstone of human government.
- Adams believed that the principles of the Declaration of Independence were based on the principles of Christianity.
Christian Principles in Civil Government
- John Quincy Adams advocated for an "indissoluble bond" between Christian principles and civil government.
- This view is contrasted with the modern notion that the Founding Fathers wanted a separation of church and state.
- Other Founding Fathers, such as John Jay, also emphasized the importance of maintaining Christian principles in civil government.
John Jay and the American Founding
- John Jay served as President of the Continental Congress in 1778 and was one of three founding fathers who drafted and signed the peace treaty with Great Britain.
- He was an author of the Federalist Papers and played a key role in the adoption of the US Constitution.
- Jay served as George Washington's Secretary of State and was appointed as the original Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.
America's Godly Heritage
- Abundant documentary evidence supports the fact that America has a godly heritage, with tens of thousands of historic documents to back it up.
Independence Hall
- Independence Hall in Philadelphia is the birthplace of American liberty and the cradle of American constitutional government.
- On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress approved a complete separation from Great Britain.
- On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
- On July 8, 1776, the Continental Congress read the Declaration of Independence to the crowd outside Independence Hall and rang the Liberty Bell.
The Liberty Bell
- The Liberty Bell is named after the Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10, which is emblazoned on the top of the bell: "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof."
- The Liberty Bell was rung on July 8, 1776, to proclaim liberty to the people.
Carpenter's Hall
- Carpenter's Hall is where the first American Congress met in 1774, two years before the Declaration of Independence.
- 40 of America's leading statesmen, including Patrick Henry, John Adams, George Washington, John Jay, and Samuel Adams, gathered at Carpenter's Hall to prepare for the coming conflict with Great Britain.
- The meeting was opened with a profound time of prayer led by Reverend Jacob Duche, a nearby minister from Christ Church.
Christ Church
- Christ Church is where many of the founding fathers, including seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, worshiped and are buried.
- The signers buried at Christ Church include Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and Francis Hopkinson.
- A famous stained-glass window, now called the Patriots Window, was added to the church in 1910, showing many of the founders and famous Americans who attended Christ Church.
Founding Fathers
- Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, attended Christ Church with his family.
- George Washington and his wife Martha attended Christ Church and sat in pew number 58.
- Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, attended Christ Church and sat in pew number 70 for 60 years.
- Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, played the organ at Christ Church and was responsible for America's first purely American handbook in 1767.
Prayer and Bible Study
- The Reverend Jacob Duche led a profound time of prayer at the first American Congress in 1774, which had a profound effect on the delegates.
- The prayer was reported by John Adams to have been "a prayer worth writing 100 miles to hear."
- The delegates also read from four chapters in the Bible, including Psalm 30:5, which had a significant impact on the group.### America's Godly Heritage
- The Continental Congress issued 15 separate prayer proclamations during the American Revolution, calling for days of prayer and fasting or thanksgiving, depending on the circumstances.
- These proclamations were characterized by explicitly Christian language.
- John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence and issued nearly two dozen prayer proclamations, including calls to prayer.
The Founding Fathers' Faith
- Virtually every one of the 55 founding fathers who framed the US Constitution were members of Orthodox Christian churches.
- Many of the founding fathers were outspoken evangelical Christians.
- Nearly half of the 56 founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence had received degrees from schools that would be considered seminaries or Bible schools today.
- Signers of the Declaration of Independence started a Sunday-school movement, numerous Bible societies, and missionary societies.
- They also penned numerous religious works and published several famous Bibles.
America's First Family Bible
- In 1782, Robert Aitken, a local printer, approached Congress asking permission to print English-language Bibles on his presses in Philadelphia.
- Congress approved his request and appointed a congressional committee to oversee the project.
- The committee reported back to Congress that the Bible was ready to print, and on September 12, 1782, Congress officially approved the Bible.
- The Bible was printed in an edition of 20,000, but only about 30 copies remain today, making it one of the rarest books in the world.
George Washington's Faith
- George Washington served as a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and was chosen to become the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
- In 1787, he served as the president of the Constitutional Convention, presiding over the writing of the US Constitution.
- According to a well-documented account, George Washington's life was miraculously spared during the French and Indian War in 1755.
- Washington himself openly acknowledged that it was only by the direct intervention of God that he had remained alive.
- The Reverend Samuel Davies, a leader in the American revival known as the Great Awakening, mentioned God's special intervention in Washington's life in a sermon preached in 1755.
The Battle of Fort Duquesne
-
In 1755, General Edward Braddock and his troops were ambushed by the French and Indians at Fort Duquesne.
-
Of the 1,300 British and American troops, 714 were shot down, and only 30 of the French and Indians were killed.
-
George Washington was the only mounted officer not shot down off his horse and took charge of the remaining troops after General Braddock's death.
-
Washington wrote a letter to his family assuring them that he was still alive, despite reports to the contrary, and attributed his survival to the "miraculous care of Providence."### John Quincy Adams and the American Founding
-
John Quincy Adams was Secretary of State under President James Monroe and later became the sixth President of the United States.
-
He delivered a patriotic address on July 4, 1837, sixty-one years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
-
In his address, Adams asked why July 4 and Christmas were America's top two holidays.
The Connection Between the Declaration of Independence and Christianity
- According to Adams, the birthday of the nation (July 4) is linked with the birthday of the Savior (Christmas).
- The Declaration of Independence was founded on Christian principles, which laid the cornerstone of human government.
- Adams believed that the principles of the Declaration of Independence were based on the principles of Christianity.
Christian Principles in Civil Government
- John Quincy Adams advocated for an "indissoluble bond" between Christian principles and civil government.
- This view is contrasted with the modern notion that the Founding Fathers wanted a separation of church and state.
- Other Founding Fathers, such as John Jay, also emphasized the importance of maintaining Christian principles in civil government.
John Jay and the American Founding
- John Jay served as President of the Continental Congress in 1778 and was one of three founding fathers who drafted and signed the peace treaty with Great Britain.
- He was an author of the Federalist Papers and played a key role in the adoption of the US Constitution.
- Jay served as George Washington's Secretary of State and was appointed as the original Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.
America's Godly Heritage
- Abundant documentary evidence supports the fact that America has a godly heritage, with tens of thousands of historic documents to back it up.
Independence Hall
- Independence Hall in Philadelphia is the birthplace of American liberty and the cradle of American constitutional government.
- On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress approved a complete separation from Great Britain.
- On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
- On July 8, 1776, the Continental Congress read the Declaration of Independence to the crowd outside Independence Hall and rang the Liberty Bell.
The Liberty Bell
- The Liberty Bell is named after the Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10, which is emblazoned on the top of the bell: "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof."
- The Liberty Bell was rung on July 8, 1776, to proclaim liberty to the people.
Carpenter's Hall
- Carpenter's Hall is where the first American Congress met in 1774, two years before the Declaration of Independence.
- 40 of America's leading statesmen, including Patrick Henry, John Adams, George Washington, John Jay, and Samuel Adams, gathered at Carpenter's Hall to prepare for the coming conflict with Great Britain.
- The meeting was opened with a profound time of prayer led by Reverend Jacob Duche, a nearby minister from Christ Church.
Christ Church
- Christ Church is where many of the founding fathers, including seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, worshiped and are buried.
- The signers buried at Christ Church include Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and Francis Hopkinson.
- A famous stained-glass window, now called the Patriots Window, was added to the church in 1910, showing many of the founders and famous Americans who attended Christ Church.
Founding Fathers
- Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, attended Christ Church with his family.
- George Washington and his wife Martha attended Christ Church and sat in pew number 58.
- Benjamin Franklin, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, attended Christ Church and sat in pew number 70 for 60 years.
- Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, played the organ at Christ Church and was responsible for America's first purely American handbook in 1767.
Prayer and Bible Study
- The Reverend Jacob Duche led a profound time of prayer at the first American Congress in 1774, which had a profound effect on the delegates.
- The prayer was reported by John Adams to have been "a prayer worth writing 100 miles to hear."
- The delegates also read from four chapters in the Bible, including Psalm 30:5, which had a significant impact on the group.### America's Godly Heritage
- The Continental Congress issued 15 separate prayer proclamations during the American Revolution, calling for days of prayer and fasting or thanksgiving, depending on the circumstances.
- These proclamations were characterized by explicitly Christian language.
- John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence and issued nearly two dozen prayer proclamations, including calls to prayer.
The Founding Fathers' Faith
- Virtually every one of the 55 founding fathers who framed the US Constitution were members of Orthodox Christian churches.
- Many of the founding fathers were outspoken evangelical Christians.
- Nearly half of the 56 founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence had received degrees from schools that would be considered seminaries or Bible schools today.
- Signers of the Declaration of Independence started a Sunday-school movement, numerous Bible societies, and missionary societies.
- They also penned numerous religious works and published several famous Bibles.
America's First Family Bible
- In 1782, Robert Aitken, a local printer, approached Congress asking permission to print English-language Bibles on his presses in Philadelphia.
- Congress approved his request and appointed a congressional committee to oversee the project.
- The committee reported back to Congress that the Bible was ready to print, and on September 12, 1782, Congress officially approved the Bible.
- The Bible was printed in an edition of 20,000, but only about 30 copies remain today, making it one of the rarest books in the world.
George Washington's Faith
- George Washington served as a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and was chosen to become the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
- In 1787, he served as the president of the Constitutional Convention, presiding over the writing of the US Constitution.
- According to a well-documented account, George Washington's life was miraculously spared during the French and Indian War in 1755.
- Washington himself openly acknowledged that it was only by the direct intervention of God that he had remained alive.
- The Reverend Samuel Davies, a leader in the American revival known as the Great Awakening, mentioned God's special intervention in Washington's life in a sermon preached in 1755.
The Battle of Fort Duquesne
-
In 1755, General Edward Braddock and his troops were ambushed by the French and Indians at Fort Duquesne.
-
Of the 1,300 British and American troops, 714 were shot down, and only 30 of the French and Indians were killed.
-
George Washington was the only mounted officer not shot down off his horse and took charge of the remaining troops after General Braddock's death.
-
Washington wrote a letter to his family assuring them that he was still alive, despite reports to the contrary, and attributed his survival to the "miraculous care of Providence."### John Quincy Adams and the American Founding
-
John Quincy Adams was Secretary of State under President James Monroe and later became the sixth President of the United States.
-
He delivered a patriotic address on July 4, 1837, sixty-one years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
-
In his address, Adams asked why July 4 and Christmas were America's top two holidays.
The Connection Between the Declaration of Independence and Christianity
- According to Adams, the birthday of the nation (July 4) is linked with the birthday of the Savior (Christmas).
- The Declaration of Independence was founded on Christian principles, which laid the cornerstone of human government.
- Adams believed that the principles of the Declaration of Independence were based on the principles of Christianity.
Christian Principles in Civil Government
- John Quincy Adams advocated for an "indissoluble bond" between Christian principles and civil government.
- This view is contrasted with the modern notion that the Founding Fathers wanted a separation of church and state.
- Other Founding Fathers, such as John Jay, also emphasized the importance of maintaining Christian principles in civil government.
John Jay and the American Founding
- John Jay served as President of the Continental Congress in 1778 and was one of three founding fathers who drafted and signed the peace treaty with Great Britain.
- He was an author of the Federalist Papers and played a key role in the adoption of the US Constitution.
- Jay served as George Washington's Secretary of State and was appointed as the original Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.
Explore America's godly heritage and the birthplace of American liberty, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
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