America's Birthday 2008

Celebrating the Past – Looking to the Future -- Part I of III

July 1776 to Present

While reviewing historical writings relating to the earliest days before, during, and following the founding of the United States of America, it was glaringly clear to me that God definitely was guiding the works of our Founding Fathers. Testimony after testimony is revealed that our Nation was founded on God, Scripture, and the Great, Holy Bible. Not only are there numerous testimonials to desiring God’s Presence in guiding the establishment of our Nation, He was called upon, prayed to, and His intervention solicited in individual and Congressional deliberations and actions.

Continental Congress

From the concurrence of John Hancock’s declaration by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, October 22, 1774, humility of the people before God, and in the first official act of the Continental Congress on September 6^th of the same year, calling for prayer, and continued in meetings of the Continental Congress in 1775, 1776, 1780, etc.; and in the Declaration of Independence, our forefathers rightfully recognized and included Almighty God with references to Him as “God,” “Creator,” “Supreme Judge of the world,” “Divine Providence,” and “Nature’s God.”

American People and Institutions

As Viewed By Alexis de Tocqueville

The faith of our forefathers was real. Faith seemed to be as natural as the air they breathed, and possessed by the majority of citizens. This was so admired that, in 1831, a couple of Frenchmen toured the country to observe the American people and their institutions. One of the two Frenchmen was Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859), statesman, historian and social philosopher. He published a two-part work in 1835 and 1840, entitled Democracy in America. In his writings he related:

          “In the United States the sovereign authority is religious … there is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men then in America, and of its conformity to human nature that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.” (These words and those below testify to our country’s early success.)

de Tocqueville is also attributed to have reported this about his finding of the then United States (which was less than 75 years old):

          “In the united States the influence of religion … extends to the intelligence of the people ….”

          “I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in the matchless Constitution.

          “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.”

          “America is great because America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

de Tocqueville writes further: “The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom.”

This Part 1 provides readers with sufficient history to ponder over while thinking, as we ought, about America's early years and this years Birthday of our country. Part II will follow immediately.

  Thanks for visiting.  -- Bob   God Bless American!