A great website www.alliance4lifemin.org , which I credit with all the following

information, reminded me of some very important information about the connection

between our Christian faith and the start of our country. As we celebrate

the 4th of July, I ask that we not forget this wonderful connection!

Most people don't realize what our nation was like at its beginning.

Even as late as 1776 - 150 years after a Christian group we refer to as the

Pilgrims moved their church to America - statistics indicate that 99.8% of

the people in America professed to be Christians.

Reverend Jonas Clark was the "parson" of a church in a small town

called Lexington. In his church parking lot, only a few feet from the church

parsonage, the "shot heard around the world" was fired. The people

that were killed were members of his congregation. Clark looked down with

great anguish at the bodies of those who had died and made this statement: "From

this day will be dated the liberty of the world." It began in a church.

It began with a pastor that was part of the "Black Regiment" because

of the black robes they wore. These pastors preached resounding sermons that

resonated throughout New England about the evils of tyranny and the importance

of liberty.

Revolutionary leaders were devout men who could not have been more empathic

in their determination that our national policy rested on Scriptural foundation.

Of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, 52 were Orthodox Christians.

After signing the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, who was called

the firebrand of the American Revolution, affirmed his obedience to God by

stating, "We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone men

ought to be obedient. From the rising to the setting of the sun may His kingdom

come."

Benjamin Franklin, who signed the Declaration and was often identified as

a deist in his younger years, delivered his most famous speech on June 28,

1787, at the age of eighty-one. He said, "I have lived, sir, a long

time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth:

that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the

ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without

His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the

Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."

John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, said, "Let us

humbly commit our righteous cause to the great Lord of the Universe."

Governor Morris, who wrote the Constitution in 1787, and wrote in 1790 and

in 1791, two commentaries on the Constitution said, "Religion is the

solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts

of religion, and the duties of man toward God."

George Mason, father of the Bill of Rights, exclaimed, "My soul I resign

into the hands of my Almighty Creator, whose tender mercies are all over

His works . . . "

Nathan Hale, called the "Martyr Spy," came from a solid Christian

foundation and upbringing. He is best remembered for his last words, prior

to laying down his life for God and country at the young age of twenty-one, "I

only regret that I have but one life to loose for my country."

John Jay, first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court wrote, "Unto

Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble

thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption

and salvation by His beloved Son."

Statesman Daniel Webster warned of political disaster. He stated, "If

we and our posterity neglect religious instruction and authority . . . no

man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us." Webster said

on December 22, 1820, observing the 200th anniversary of the landing of the

Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, "Let us not forget the religious

character of our origin. Our fathers brought hither their high veneration

of the Christian religion."

Noah Webster, who literally wrote the English dictionary claimed, "The

moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the

basis of all civil Constitutions and laws."

Patrick Henry, a Christian patriot, golden tongued orator of the Revolutionary

period, and the only U.S. Governor to be elected and reelected five times

said in a celebrated speech before the Revolutionary War, "Is life so

dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for

me, give me liberty or give me death!" Henry also said, "It cannot

be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded,

not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospels

of Jesus Christ."

One of the great slogans of the American Revolution was "No King but

King Jesus!"

Now, I don't propose we wash out the lines between church and state,

but neither do I propose we wash out the reality of our history. We are truly

one nation UNDER GOD!

Have a wonderful and safe 4th!