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. |
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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)
