What Happens to a Nation That Turns its Back on God?

What Happens to a Nation That Turns its Back on God?

What Happens to a Nation That Turns its Back on God? Does a nation that turns its back on God just keep on going forever under its own power? Where is the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, the Egyptian Empire, the Roman Empire, the Aztec Empire, the Incan Empire, the British Empire today? All these empires came and passed out. Time is ticking for the United States, will we be blessed by following the LORD, or will we be cursed for not following Him? Let us look at Deuteronomy 28 to see what the One Who Has the Final Word has to say about the subject.

Blessings if you follow the LORD

1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 

2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: 

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 

4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 

5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 

7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. 

8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. 

10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 

11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. 

12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 

13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 

14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Curses for Disobedience

15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you: 

16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. 

17 Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. 

18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 

19 You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. 

20 The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.[a]

 21 The LORD will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you from the land you are entering to possess. 

22 The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish. 

23 The sky over your head will be bronze, the ground beneath you iron. 

24 The LORD will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed. 

25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth.

26 Your carcasses will be food for all the birds and the wild animals, and there will be no one to frighten them away.

27 The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores and the itch, from which you cannot be cured. 

28 The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. 

29 At midday you will grope about like a blind person in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you. 

30 You will be pledged to be married to a woman, but another will take her and rape her. You will build a house, but you will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard, but you will not even begin to enjoy its fruit. 

31 Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will eat none of it. Your donkey will be forcibly taken from you and will not be returned. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and no one will rescue them. 

32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, and you will wear out your eyes watching for them day after day, powerless to lift a hand.

33 A people that you do not know will eat what your land and labor produce, and you will have nothing but cruel oppression all your days.

34 The sights you see will drive you mad. 

35 The LORD will afflict your knees and legs with painful boils that cannot be cured, spreading from the soles of your feet to the top of your head. 

36 The LORD will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your ancestors. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone.

37 You will become a thing of horror, a byword and an object of ridicule among all the peoples where the LORD will drive you. 

38 You will sow much seed in the field but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. 

39 You will plant vineyards and cultivate them but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. 

40 You will have olive trees throughout your country but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off. 

41 You will have sons and daughters but you will not keep them, because they will go into captivity. 

42 Swarms of locusts will take over all your trees and the crops of your land. 

43 The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. 

44 They will lend to you, but you will not lend to them. They will be the head, but you will be the tail. 

45 All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the LORD your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you.

46 They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. 

47 Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity,

48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 

49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 

50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. 

51 They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine or olive oil, nor any calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks until you are ruined. 

52 They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities throughout the land the LORD your God is giving you. 

53 Because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the LORD your God has given you. 

54 Even the most gentle and sensitive man among you will have no compassion on his own brother or the wife he loves or his surviving children, 

55 and he will not give to one of them any of the flesh of his children that he is eating. It will be all he has left because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of all your cities. 

56 The most gentle and sensitive woman among you—so sensitive and gentle that she would not venture to touch the ground with the sole of her foot—will begrudge the husband she loves and her own son or daughter 

57 the afterbirth from her womb and the children she bears. For in her dire need she intends to eat them secretly because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of your cities. 

58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God— 

59 the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. 

60 He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. 

61 The LORD will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed. 

62 You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the LORD your God. 

63 Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess. 

64 Then the LORD will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. There you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known.

65 Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. 

66 You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. 

67 In the morning you will say, “If only it were evening!” and in the evening, “If only it were morning!”—because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see. 

68 The LORD will send you back in ships to Egypt on a journey I said you should never make again. There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you. 

Colonel John Haslet Fell into Delaware River in the Christmas Night Crossing Dec. 25, 1776

On Christmas evening, George Washington crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack on the Hessian barracks at Trenton. One gentleman named Colonel John Haslet (from Delaware) crossed that evening and had the misfortune to fall into the icy waters. This man served as an ordained Presbyterian minister in Ireland after graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1749 and served as minister in Ireland. His wife died in 1752 and he eventually came to America around Milford, Delaware around 1757. He served in the Pennsylvania militia in the French and Indian War at Fort Duquesne. In 1764 he married Jemima Molleston. He changed his profession to medical doctor (one guesses because of the ordeal of his wife's death). John Haslet survived the icy river incident, “suffering much from exposure and marched ten miles on severely wounded legs and fought a battle without complaint.” (David Hackett Fisher, Washington’s Crossing, New York: Oxford Press, 2004, p.219). Imagine falling into an icy river, living to tell about it and then march ten miles and then fight in the battle! Haslet fought about a week later at the battle of Princeton and died in that battle. As we remember the sacrifice of many soldiers that paved the way for our nation’s freedom, Let us remember John Haslet’s determination and sacrifice as he and others crossed the Delaware on Christmas night 1776.

Invitation to Join Sister Blog "Constitutional Faith"

I would like to invite you to see the sister blog to this blog entitled "Constitutional Faith" You can go there by logging on to www.1787constitutionfaith.blogspot.com It has been my intention for years to have two books; "1776 Faith" deals with the Christian worldview of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, "Constitution Faith" deals with the Christian worldview of the signers of the Constitution. I look at the Declaration of Independence being the engagement period and the Constitution being the marriage. Please check it out and enjoy it and use it as a tool to talk with friends and acquaintances about the crucial part that the Christian worldview had on our Founding Fathers.

Thanksgiving Second Thursday of December, 1779 Samuel Huntington President Continental Congress

Journals of Continental Congress Vol. XV, pp. 1191-2. The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, for setting apart the second Thursday in December next, as a day of general thanksgiving, brought in a draught, which was agreed to as follows: Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our fore-fathers to this western world; for his protection to them and to their posterity amid difficulties and dangers; for raising u, their children, from deep distress to be numbered among the nations of the earth; and for arming the hands of just and mighty princes in our deliverance; and especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he hath gone with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that he hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction; that he hath prospered our commerce, and given success to those who sought the enemy on the face of the deep; and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal: therefore, RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several states, to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December next, to be a day of public and solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his favor and protection to these United States; to beseech him that he would be graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom from on high, with unanimity, firmness, and success; that he would grant to his church the plentiful effusions of divine grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all ministers of the gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance; that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that he would take into his holy protection our illustrious ally, give him victory over his enemies, and render him signally gret, as the father of his people and the protector of the rights of mankind; that he would graciously be please to turn the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending nations; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us into his favor, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety.

How to Support This Ministry

How to Support This Ministry You will notice that this blog is free and I am passing my research on as a love offering to Jesus Christ. Jesus is concerned about bringing all tribes and nations (ethnic groups) to Himself. Because He is concerned about Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Ukraine, China, United Kingdom, Latvia, Spain, etc., I press on. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does its successive journeys run His kingdom spread from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. Isaac Watts One way you can help is to let me know if you know of an opportunity for me to share in your church, school, university or civic group. As Christmas comes, you can also help with buying "1776 Faith" books for loved ones. I have two books waiting to be published but need book sales to go up before I can afford new publishing costs. Most importantly, please pray that God would open hearts to come to this site, and that God would open hearts to receive Jesus Christ into their lives. We are mere sowers, God is the one that changes hearts. Your most humble and obedient servant, Phil Webster 1776faith@gmail.com

James Francis Armstrong

James Francis Armstrong Chaplain Maryland 2nd Brigade May 1777-1782 James Francis Armstrong served as Chaplain in the American Revolutionary War for the Maryland Second Brigade. He not only attended Princeton University but lived with the family of Rev. John Witherspoon (the college president). He graduated with the class of 1773 as did Henry Lee. James Madison graduated in 1772 and Aaron Burr in 1774. After graduation, Armstrong stayed a while longer and studied theology under Dr. Witherspoon (as did Madison). James was preparing for the ministry in New Brunswick in 1776 but the presence of the British Army in New Jersey changed his plans. He became an ordained minister and started serving as a regimental chaplain in the Continental Army. A big factor in his being assigned to the Second Brigade in Maryland is the fact that he was born in West Nottingham, Maryland (near Rising Sun, Maryland on the eastern side of the Susquehanna River). After the war, Armstrong served as the pastor of the Elizabeth New Jersey Presbyterian Chuch (1782-1783) where Rev. James Caldwell served until meeting his death at the hands of the British. Armstrong married William Livingston’s daughter Susannah in August 1782 with Rev. Witherspoon officiating at the service. Armstrong served as minister to the First Presbyterian Church at Trenton from 1786 until his death in 1816 (thirty years). There are so many facets where this story can go deeper. One can read about Rev. James Caldwell (in my book 1776 Faith, pp. 160-1), chaplains in the Continental Army, Maryland’s Second Brigade, William Livingston, Susannah Livingston (who took care of John and Sally Jay’s son while they represented the United States in Spain and France from 1779 until 1783), Elizabeth Presbyterian Church in New Jersey, Rev. Witherspoon, Princeton, Henry Lee, Aaron Burr, James Madison, etc.

John Hancock Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving and Includes God

John Hancock Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving and Includes God John Hancock as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Constitution issued the following proclamation on Oct. 5, 1791, declaring a Day of Thanksgiving for Nov. 17, 1791 “It being our indispensable duty as a people, in a public and religious manner, to acknowledge the preserving and governing providence of Almighty God, and more especially to celebrate the Divine Goodness in the various blessings conferred upon us in the course of the year past. “I have therefore thought fit, with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint, and do hereby appoint Thursday the Twenty-Fifth Day of November next, to be religiously observed as a Day of Thanksgiving throughout this Commonwealth; hereby calling upon Ministers and people of all denominations, in their several assemblies, to unite with grateful hearts in celebrating the Praises of Almighty God, of His great goodness and bounty vouchsafed [given] to a sinful and unworthy people; particularly for the great and signal interpositions of His Providence in behalf of the United States in the course of the late contest, and that after being rescued from the dangers and calamities of war; peace has been restored to us, and that our public affairs are in so promising and happy a situation; for granting to us a plentiful harvest in the great abundance of the fruits of the earth; for the general health enjoyed throughout this State during the course of the year, and preventing epidemical and mortal distempers from spreading among us; reviving our trade, navigation and fishery and protecting the same from the insults of Pirates and other disasters; for directing and succeeding our public Councils, and above all for continuing to us the light of the blessed Gospel, and securing to us our religious and civil liberties and privileges. “And to join with their praises their earnest and humble supplications to Almighty God, for the pardon of our past ingratitude and other transgressions; and that He would grant that all instances of the Divine goodness may have an effectual influence for working a general reformation in all orders of persons among us; that so we may be that happy people, whose God is the Lord, and that all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the whole Earth may be filled with His Glory.” — John Hancock -“Yes, but…he never mentioned Jesus Christ.” Yes he did specifically mention Jesus Christ -“Yes, but… it was not done while Massachusetts was under the Federal Constitution.” (Constitution passed in 1787 and ratified by the states in 1789; this was 1791) Yes it was after the Constitution was passed. -“Yes, but… Hancock and all the other Founders were deists.” If Deists believed “that all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the whole Earth may be filled with His Glory.” Is that what most deists believe? I would think that phrase would qualify for a Christian worldview rather than a deist one. Have a happy Thanksgiving even though there are many voices clamoring for you to have an unhappy thanksgiving. What is an unhappy thanksgiving like? Everyone eats sour grapes, is generally cranky and unthankful but of course they are the smartest in the country and the universe. On top of that, they will let you know it. “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together Against the LORD and against his Anointed One The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them. “(Psalm 2:1-2,4)

John Hancock, John Adams at Church as young children

From birth until he was seven years old, John Hancock and John Adams attended the same church. You see John Hancock's father was the pastor at the church where John Adams attended church. Reverend John Hancock began to serve as pastor of the North Parish in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1726. John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 and Rev. Hancock baptized/christened him. John Hancock III who would later serve as President of Continental Congress was born on January 12, 1737 and was also baptised/christened there. If you noticed that he was John Hancock III, it was because he grandfather was also John Hancock. The first John Hancock was called Bishop John Hancock. He served as minister for 54 years at the Lexington Congregational Church. If you will recall,where did the British troops try to find John Hancock (III) and Samuel Adams to attempt to arrest them in April 1775? They sent troops out to Lexington, Massachusetts to arrest the ringleaders. Where did they stay? They stayed at the home of Rev. Clarke. If I left the description there (like many would do), I would be not telling the whole truth. He stayed at the manse of the Congregational church now called the Hancock-Clarke House. It gets its Hancock name after Rev. John Hancock the First who lived there 54 years (from 1698-1752). John Adams and John Hancock attended a small school together in 1742 under a Mrs. Belcher. In the spring of 1744, John Hancock the Second became ill and died. John Adams and John Hancock were split for the moment (as John Hancock the Third had to stop school) but were destined to work together later. John Hancock the Third stayed with his grandfather for a few months in Lexington until one day when his Uncle Thomas came and took him to live with himself and his wife Lydia in Boston. Thomas Hancock shared a similar background to Robert Morris and learned the shipping business and did exceedingly well. John Hancock learned greatly from his uncle and eventually inherited his business. Did John Hancock have a Christian worldview? Stay tuned!

PAC14 Interview "Write Stuff" with Andy Nunez (30 minutes)

Write Stuff: Andy Nunez, co host of Write Stuff, welcomes local author Phil Webster. Phil’s latest book, 1776 Faith is about the Christian Foundations of our Founding Fathers.

Proclamation of Continental Congress May 26, 1779 John Jay President [Raising Battalions by Appealing to the Supreme Ruler]

By the Congress of the United States of America

A Proclamation

      The circumstances attending the violation of the rights of America, by Great Britain, and the events of the present war in consequence of that violation, have manifested, that the supreme ruler of Heaven and earth, led these United States out of bondage; and that it is he who hath made them Independent.  A situation  in which only, they can be secure against their enemies; and from which mankind can receive those blessings, which, the great father of all, hath designed they should enjoy from the civilization of this new world.

     The United efforts of these states under the favor of heaven have hitherto rendered vain, the mighty exertions against them by the King of Great Britain, by arms; and have frustrated the destructive designs of that prince, by negotiations.  Happily the United States by experience know, that such efforts are capable of securing them against his power; and that their duty to God, to themselves, to their posterity, and to mankind, impels them to exert those efforts to the utmost of their ability.

     The present season for military operations, furnishes them with an opportunity of discharging this duty.  The smiles of their creator upon their past actions, furnishes them with an opportunity of discharging this great duty.  The smiles of their creator upon their past actions must inspire them with religious confidence in their future exertions; the hardships they have suffered, enable them to encounter new difficulties; and their great ally regarding their Cause as his own, and taking part in the war, must warm their affections, excite their emulation, and invigorate their proceedings.

May 26, 1779

The President [John Jay]


The Continental Congress, with John Jay as its President, saw that the way of getting the states to raise battalions was to appeal to the supreme ruler of Heaven and earth who led the United States out of bondage.

   

Judeo- Christian Worldview

Judeo-Christian Worldview

Credit must be given where credit is due.  In my writings I have referred to the Christian worldview of the Founding Fathers.  Since the Christian worldview grew out of the Jewish faith, I should and will try to express it as the Judeo-Christian worldview.  In terms of the Founders and the Jewish faith I will try to include three items: the life of Haym Salomon, writings of George Washington to Hebrew Congregations and John Jay's mention of the Jewish people in his address as President of the American Bible Society.

The first president of the United States under the Constitution, George Washington summed up the freedom of religion clause of the First Amendment in his letter to the Hebrew Congregations of Savannah, Georgia.

May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in a promised land, whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of heaven and make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.
George Washington

Haym Salomon

John Jay

By the merciful interposition of Providence, early

provision was made for preserving these great truths from

universal oblivion; and for their being ultimately diffused

throughout the world. They were communicated to

Abraham. He was also favored with additional information

relative to the expected redemption, and with a promise that

the Redeemer should be of his family. That family was

thenceforth separated and distinguished from others, and on

becoming a nation, was placed under theocratic government.

To that family and nation, the Divine oracles and

revelations were committed; and such of them as Infinite

Wisdom deemed proper for the future instruction of every

nation, were recorded and carefully preserved. By those

revelations, the promise and expectation of redemption

were from time to time renewed, and sundry distinctive

marks and characteristic circumstances of the Redeemer

predicted.
 ADDRESSES TO THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY,

BY JOHN JAY.

At the Annual Meeting, May 9, 1822.

We observe a strange and general alteration in the

feelings of Christians towards the heathen; and one still

more strange and unprecedented has taken place in their

feelings towards the jews ; feelings very different from

those which so many centuries have universally prevailed.

Although, as it were, sifted over all nations, yet, unlike the

drops of rain which blend with the waters on which they

fall, these scattered exiles have constantly remained in a

state of separation from the people among whom they were

dispersed; obstinately adhering to their peculiarities, and

refusing to coalesce with them. By thus fulfilling the

prophecies, every Jew is a living witness to their truth.

The same prophecies declare, that a time will come

when all the twelve tribes shall be restored to their country,

and be a praise in the earth: but the precise time is not

specified. By declaring that “blindness in part hath happened

unto Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come

in, and that Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles

unity the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,” they lead us to

conclude, that their blindness will not be sooner removed,

and therefore that their conversion is not to be sooner

expected. Individual Jews have, from time to time, been

relieved from their blindness, and become Christians; and

there are expressions in the Scriptures, which favor the

prevailing opinion, that the conversion of a large portion,

and perhaps of the whole tribe of Judah, may precede that

of the other tribes. They are now experiencing less oppression,

less contempt, and more compassion than formerly.

Their

obduracy is softening, and their prejudices abating. These

changes have the appearance of incipient preparatives for

their conversion.

Besides these recent changes in favor of the heathen

and the Jews, another has taken place in the disposition and

feelings of our people towards the many savage nations

who still remain within our limits. The policy formerly

observed towards them, together with our rapid population,

increased their necessities, but not our endeavors to alleviate

them. This indifference has lately been yielding to a

general sympathy for their wretchedness, and to a desire to

ameliorate their condition. For this laudable purpose, our

government has wisely and virtuously adopted measures

for their welfare; and benevolent societies and pious individuals

are using means to introduce among them the

benefits of civilization and Christianity.

Nor are these the only events and changes which are

facilitating the distribution, and extending the knowledge of

the Scriptures. For a long course of years, many European

nations were induced to regard toleration as pernicious, and

to believe that the people had no right to think and judge

for themselves respecting religious tenets and modes of

worship. Hence it was deemed advisable to prohibit their

reading the Bible, and to grant that privilege only to persons

of a certain description. Intolerance is passing away,

and in France, where it formerly prevailed, Bible Societies

have been established by permission of the government,

and are proceeding prosperously, under

the auspices of men high in rank, in character, and in

station.

From the nature, the tendency, and the results of these

recent and singular changes, events, and institutions; from

their coincidence, and admirable adjustment, as means for

making known the Holy Scriptures, and inculcating the will

of their Divine and merciful Author, throughout the world;

and from the devotedness with which they are carrying into

operation, there is reason to conclude that they have been

produced by Him in whose hands are the hearts of all men.

If so, we are engaged in His service; and that consideration

forbids us to permit our ardor or exertions to be

relaxed or discouraged by attempts to depreciate our motives,

to impede or discredit our proceedings, or to diminish

our temporal resources. The Scriptures represent Christians

as being engaged in a spiritual warfare, and, therefore, both

in their associated and individual capacities, they are to

expect and prepare for opposition. On the various inducements

which prompt this opposition, much might be said;

though very little, if any thing, that would be new. The

present occasion admits only of general and brief remarks,

and not of particular and protracted disquisitions.

Whatever may be the characters, the prejudices, the

views, or the arts of our opponents, we have only to be

faithful to our Great Leader. They who march under the

banners of EMMANUEL have God with them; and consequently

have nothing to fear.

AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 8, 1823.

George Washington

Letter to Hebrew Congregations of Savannah, Georgia

George Washington
(undated)

Gentlemen:
I thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office which I have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow-citizens, and especially the expressions you are pleased to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congregations.
As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has afforded me an opportunity for appreciating the merits of the Federal Government and for communicating your sentiments of its administration, I have rather to express my satisfaction rather than regret at a circumstance which demonstrates (upon experiment) your attachment to the former as well as approbation of the latter.
I rejoice that a spirit of liberality and philanthropy is much more prevalent than it formerly was among the enlightened nations of the earth, and that your brethren will benefit thereby in proportion as it shall become still more extensive; happily the people of the United States have in many instances exhibited examples worthy of imitation, the salutary influence of which will doubtless extend much farther if gratefully enjoying those blessings of peace which (under the favor of heaven) have been attained by fortitude in war, they shall conduct themselves with reverence to the Deity and charity toward their fellow-creatures.
May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in a promised land, whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of heaven and make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.

G. Washington 

The Address of the Hebrew Congregations in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston and Richmond. To the President of the United States. Sir,—It is reserved for you to unite in affection for your character and person, every political and religious denomination of men; and in this will the Hebrew congregations aforesaid yield to no class of their fellow-citizens. We have been hitherto prevented, by various circumstances peculiar to our situation, from adding our congratulations to those which the rest of America have offered on your elevation to the chair of the federal government. Deign then, illustrious sir, to accept this our homage. The wonders which the Lord of Hosts hath worked in the days of our forefathers, have taught us to observe the greatness of his wisdom and his might throughout the events of the late glorious revolution; and while we humble ourselves at his footstool in thanksgiving and praise in the blessing of his deliverance, we acknowledge you, the leader of the American armies, as his chosen and most devoted servant. But not to your sword alone is our present happiness to be ascribed; that indeed opened the way to the reign of freedom; but never was it perfectly secure till your hand have birth to the federal constitution—and you renounced the joys of retirement to seal by your administration in peace, what you had achieved in war. To the eternal God, who is thy refuge, we commit in our prayers, the care of thy precious life: and when, full of years, thou shalt be gathered unto the people, thy righteousness shall go before thee, and we shall remember amidst our regret, “that the Lord hath set apart the godly for himself,” whilst thy name and thy virtues will remain an indelible memorial on our minds. Manuel Josephson. For and in behalf and under the authority of the several Congregations aforesaid. Philadelphia, 19th Dec. 1790. To which the President was pleased to return the following answer: To the Hebrew Congregations in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston and Richmond: Gentlemen,—The liberality of sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations. The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation: and the repeated proofs which my fellow-citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings, form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite my gratitude and receive my warmest acknowledgments. The power and goodness of the Almighty were strongly manifested in the events of the late glorious revolution: and his kind interposition in our behalf, has been no less visible in the establishment of our present equal government. In war he directed the sword, and in peace he has ruled in our councils. My agency in both has been guided by the best intentions and a sense of the duty which I owe my country. And as my exertions have hitherto been amply rewarded by the approbation of my fellow-citizens, I shall endeavour to deserve a continuance of it by my future conduct. May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you implore for me, rest upon your congregations. George Washington.

Letter to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport

George Washington

August 18, 1790

Gentlemen:

While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy–a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants–while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

G. Washington

Source: George Washington: A Collection, ed. W.B. Allen (Liberty Fund: Indianapolis, 1988)

C0NTINENTAL CONGRESS' NAMES OF GOD
The Lord of Hosts The God of Armies The over ruling Providence of God God’s superintending providence Superintending Providence of God God thro’ the merits of Jesus Christ Providence of Almighty God The Assistance of Heaven Him who disposes of human events God who searches the hearts of men Supreme Disposer of all Events Righteous Governor of the World Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth The over-ruling Providence of God God through the merits of our blessed Saviour The supreme Disposer of all Events [Absolute Governor of This World] Great Governor of the World His supreme and universal Providence
God
Father of mercies
His Providence
Divine Providence
The Supreme Being
The Ruler of the Universe
Our Divine Redeemer
Our God
Almighty God
Father of all mercies
God of all grace
Our Divine Benefactor
Divine Providence
Omnipotence
Merciful Jesus
God of Battles
The Almighty
Father of all
Divine Benefactor

All—wise, omnipotent  and merciful Disposer of all events

Almighty Ruler of Princes, whose Kingdom is over all

Tribunal of unerring Wisdom and Justice

Him, who commanded us to love our Enemies

The over-ruling providence of the great Governor of the universe

The above names were taken from the Founding period [1774-1789]

from Letters to the Delegates, 1774-1789 and

the Journal of the Continental Congress.

©2013 Phil Webster 1776 Faith