The American Story: The Beginnings

By David Barton and Tim Barton

AMERICA IS UNIQUE. No other nation in the world has experienced the widespread levels of stability, individual prosperity, and personal freedoms that have defined this nation. What made us different from other nations? Was it the people, the principles, or the blessing of God? It was all three, and they caused America to become the most exceptional nation in the history of the world.

Our past is filled with captivating accounts of the brave and the cowardly; of heroes and villains; of atrocities, corruption, and greed as well as self-sacrifice, honor, and redemption. America is not perfect. Yet we have a compelling story of those seeking religious and civil freedom, escaping oppression, pursuing opportunity, and often joining hands to achieve common goals. The American Story highlights this cooperation and presents some of the interesting moments and people that reveal God's Providence in America. We have a fascinating history that must be remembered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781947501256

David Barton

Hi, I'm David Barton PhD. I am a husband and father to three beautiful girls. I live in New Zealand and was born in South Africa. I have studied, Counselling and Psychology and have a PhD in Psychology from the University of Otago, Dunedin. I had a life changing event at the end of 2018 when I got diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. The cancer was widespread. It also got into my spine and paralyzed me for a time. Recovery was hard, but now I am cancer free and walking, even running again. As a Christian I put me faith and trust in God. My recent books reflect this as I have written extensively about my journey to survive and what God has taught me along the way.

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Title

The American Story: The Beginnings

Copyright © 2020, David Barton & Tim Barton

1st Edition, 1st Printing, 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews with proper attribution.

Additional materials available from:

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Cataloging-in-Publication data on file with the Library of Congress

Barton, David, and Barton, Tim

The American Story: The Beginnings

Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press

384 pp.; 22.86 cm.

ISBN 978-1-947501-24-9

eISBN 978-1-9475012-5-6

Printed in the United States of America

What others are saying about

THE AMERICAN STORY: THE BEGINNINGS.

History is to a civilization what memory is to an individual. That powerful reminder was drilled into me by a college professor. I fear that there is a deliberate effort in America to erase the history of our nation and rewrite it to support a lie. Historians David and Tim Barton realize that the ignorance of American history is not a mere academic shortfall, it represents an existential threat to this great Republic. The American Story: The Beginnings reveals facts about our origins with detailed documentation to show that much of the newspaper narrative of today and the radical mobs tearing down statues and burning books are robbing the people of America of their real story.

MIKE HUCKABEE

NATIONAL TALKSHOW HOST

FMR. GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS

The American Story: The Beginnings moves onto the literary stage at the perfect time for an America in search of its own identity. This book defies historical revisionism, relying solely on meticulously researched, authentic historical accounts. David and Tim Barton have provided fascinating insights into ordinary people who rose to extraordinary heights in the service of their God and their country. Every American will benefit from knowing the people, the principles, and the Providence of God which allowed the greatest nation on earth to survive its early years. What a relevant read at this critical juncture in America’s history!

BOB DEES

MAJOR GENERAL, US ARMY, RETIRED

PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTHY VETERANS

Many years ago, Erwin Knoll, editor of the Progressive Magazine, penned Knoll’s Law of Accuracy in Media: "Everything you read in the media is absolutely true – except the rare event of which you have personal knowledge." Knoll could have been describing what we think we know about the historical founding of our civilization and country, from how Christopher Columbus really behaved to what kind of men and women founded what became the United States. This is a must-read for conservatives to bolster their instinctive understanding of America as a force for good, and self-described progressives should take the time to challenge the narrative they have accepted for too many years.

MERRIE SPAETH

WHITE HOUSE DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS FOR RONALD REAGAN

PRESIDENT OF SPAETH COMMUNICATIONS

In this hour when our adversaries seek to corrupt America’s history, David and Tim Barton have presented The American Story: The Beginnings. This beautiful inspiring work includes all facets of the people and their times who created the most powerful nation, ever. David and Tim present the truth of America and her heroes so that together we fall in love with her and those who struggled, pioneered, invented and built this shining City on a Hill of nations.

BOB MCEWEN

FMR. MEMBER OF CONGRESS

PRESIDENT, COUNCIL ON NATIONAL POLICY

This book is a treasure. So few Americans are ever told full, true American history. Now they can read it themselves, with all the original source citations and evidence backing up everything that is written. If every student in school were required to read this, Americans would quickly discover the incredible heritage of this great country and the hand of God behind the beginning of the greatest land of freedom on the face of the earth. Simply put, this is a great book of America’s beginning, and you won’t be able to put it down.

KELLY SHACKELFORD, ESQ.

PRESIDENT, CEO & CHIEF COUNSEL

FIRST LIBERTY

I highly recommend this work for all who want to preserve the foundations and liberties passed down to us in this great nation. Jesus said, "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." It’s only the truth you know that sets you free. In this book, David and Tim Barton share truths that are mostly lost in our culture today but learning these documented truths of our Christian heritage will set you free.

ANDREW WOMMACK

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF

ANDREW WOMMACK MINISTRIES AND CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE

David and Tim Barton’s book teaches the truth of the magnificent history of our nation. We are asking how we can educate the younger generation who doesn’t seem acquainted with the American story? David and Tim Barton have done the hard work for us! I applaud their effort and recommend everyone buy copies to give away, especially to the younger generation. Those who know America’s true inspirational history will never destroy her heroes and our heritage!

MICHELE BACHMANN

FMR. MEMBER OF US CONGRESS

US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Only rarely is a book birthed that I know must have a home in my library. Most books I am content to read but this one I must own, ink my name on its inside cover, and eventually bequeath to my children. It will make your heart surge with renewed conviction in our Divine destiny as a nation and it will strengthen your spine with vision, hope, and courage. You will want to own it too.

RABBI DANIEL LAPIN

AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF JEWS AND CHRISTIANS

NATIONAL TALKSHOW HOST

What influence did Christianity have on the drafters, signers, and advocates of the US Declaration of Independence and Constitution? Did Christopher Columbus travel to unexplored places in 1492 hoping to spread the Gospel of Christ? What was the purpose and motivation behind the actions of colonial patriots who threw British tea into the Boston Harbor? What was the role of heroic black patriots in the American Revolution? The American Story answers these and many other key history questions at a pivotal time in our nation’s history. It is essential to the survival of our nation that we know the answers. David and Tim Barton have written a most timely and relevant book that should be read by every American.

WILLIAM G. BOYKIN

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, US ARMY, RETIRED

US UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE

The American Story is a breath of fresh air in today’s cynical society. While many are seeking to tear down and distort the history of America, David and Tim Barton shine a light on the true foundations upon which this country was built. This book will not only inform you but energize you and challenge you to do what you can to keep this Republic thriving, and passing on its greatness to posterity.

MATT KRAUSE

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ATTORNEY

TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE

David and Tim Barton bring history to life and tell the truth about America at a time when her story is under attack from lies and distortions. What a breath of fresh air to learn about the heroes that made America the greatest force for good of the last 200 years! They make learning fun and entertaining. Every American should read this book and get the true story of America.

RICK GREEN

AMERICA’S CONSTITUTION COACH

NATIONAL TALKSHOW HOST

CONTENTS

EDITORS’ NOTES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

NOTE TO TEACHERS, PARENTS, & YOUNG READERS

INTRODUCTION

The Golden Thread of American History

SECTION ONE

Discovery & Early Planting

Chapter 1 Christopher Columbus

Chapter 2 Awaiting the Reformation

Chapter 3 The Virginia Colony, 1607

Chapter 4 The Pilgrims & the Plymouth Colony, 1620

Chapter 5 Samoset & Squanto

Chapter 6 The Famous Thanksgiving—& a Drought

Chapter 7 The Pilgrims’ Civil Code

Chapter 8 Pilgrim Myths

Chapter 9 The Puritans & Massachusetts, 1630

Chapter 10 Other Early Colonies

Chapter 11 Legacies: Jamestown vs. Plymouth

Chapter 12 America’s Early Roots

SECTION TWO

The Colonial Period

Chapter 1 Pennsylvania, 1682

Chapter 2 Georgia, 1732

Chapter 3 Colonial Pastors in Public Affairs

Chapter 4 The American Witch Trials

Chapter 5 George Whitefield & the First Great Awakening

Chapter 6 Other Ministers in the Great Awakening

Chapter 7 Founding Fathers Who Were Ministers

Chapter 8 Ministers Shaping America

Chapter 9 Early American Education

Chapter 10 Early Textbooks of American Education

Chapter 11 Early American Colleges

SECTION THREE

The American War for Independence

Chapter 1 The Hand of Providence

Chapter 2 Early Tensions, 1765

Chapter 3 The Boston Massacre, 1770

Chapter 4 The Committees of Correspondence, 1772

Chapter 5 The Boston Tea Party, 1773

Chapter 6 The Intolerable Acts, 1774

Chapter 7 The First Continental Congress, 1774

Chapter 8 The Colonies Begin to Think & Feel Together, 1775

Chapter 9 The Battle of Lexington, 1775

Chapter 10 The Declaration of Independence, 1776

Chapter 11 Faith of the Signers

Chapter 12 Anti-Religious or Least Religious

Chapter 13 The Cost of Freedom, 1775-1783

Chapter 14 Diverse Patriots

Chapter 15 Celebrating Independence

Chapter 16 The Continental Congress, 1776

Chapter 17 God’s Providence Through the War: The Battle of Long Island (August 1776)

Chapter 18 God’s Providence Through the War: The Crossing of the Delaware & the Battle of Trenton (December 1776)

Chapter 19 Congress & Bibles, 1777, 1782

Chapter 20 God’s Providence Through the War: The Battle of Saratoga (October 1777)

Chapter 21 God’s Providence Through the War: Benedict Arnold’s Treason (September 1780)

Chapter 22 God’s Providence Through the War: The Battle of Yorktown (October 1781)

Chapter 23 Religious & Civil Liberties Prevail

SECTION FOUR

The American Founding & the Federal Era

Chapter 1 A Strong Foundation

Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Moral System

Chapter 3 Moving Toward A National Government: The Articles of Confederation, 1781

Chapter 4 The Constitutional Convention, 1787

Chapter 5 The Framers of the Constitution

Chapter 6 The Constitution, the Bible, & the Declaration

Chapter 7 The Constitution & Sundays Excepted

Chapter 8 The Constitution & Oaths

Chapter 9 The Constitution & Unique Bible Phrases

Chapter 10 The Constitution & Separation of Powers

Chapter 11 The Constitution & the Preamble

Chapter 12 More on the Constitution & the Bible

Chapter 13 The Constitution & the Finger of God

Chapter 14 Approving the Constitution

Chapter 15 The First Inauguration, 1789

Chapter 16 The Bill of Rights

Chapter 17 The First Amendment & Religious Freedom

Chapter 18 Thomas Jefferson & " Separation of Church & State "

Chapter 19 Early US Congresses

Chapter 20 American Courts

Chapter 21 Christianity Produces Religious Freedom

SECTION FIVE

The American Republic

Chapter 1 The Second Great Awakening: Notable Leaders

Chapter 2 The Second Great Awakening: National Organizations

Chapter 3 Missionaries & Missions Movements: Jason Lee & Oregon

Chapter 4 Missionaries & Missions Movements: The Whitmans & Washington

Chapter 5 Slavery in the World

Chapter 6 Slavery in America

Chapter 7 Early American Anti-Slavery Efforts

Chapter 8 Slavery & the Founding Fathers

Chapter 9 A Pro-Slavery Constitution?

Chapter 10 Abolishing Slavery

Chapter 11 Leading the Way

CONCLUSION

Looking Back, Looking Forward

ENDNOTES

Editors’ Notes

Throughout this book, we quote from many early American books, pamphlets, essays, laws, and other primary source documents. These texts were written at a time when grammatical usage and spelling were quite different from what we practice today. In an effort to improve readability and flow, we have modernized spellings and punctuations in those quotes.

As an example of the early colonial spelling of words, consider the opening language of the Pilgrims’ Mayflower Compact of 1620—an important document that we discuss later. We have underlined words misspelled by today’s standards:

We whose names are underwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of the faith, &c., haveing undertaken, for the glorie of God, and advancemente of the Christian faith, and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick…¹

Similarly distracting to modern readers is the early use of capitals and commas (refer to the previous example for the copious use of commas). To see the excessive use of capitals, notice this excerpt from a 1749 letter written by signer of the Declaration of Independence Robert Treat Paine (today we do not capitalize the underlined words):

I Believe the Bible to be the written word of God & to Contain in it the whole Rule of Faith & manners; I consent to the Assemblys Shorter Chatachism as being Agreable to the Reveal’d Will of God & to contain in it the Doctrines that are According to Godliness. I have for some time had a desire to attend upon the Lords Supper and to Come to that divine Institution of a Dying Redeemer, And I trust I’m now convinced that it is my Duty Openly to profess him least he be ashamed to own me An Other day; I humbly therefore desire that you would receive me into your Communion & Fellowship, & I beg your Prayers for me that Grace may be carried on in my soul to Perfection, & that I may live answerable to the Profession I now make which (God Assisting) I purpose to be the main End of all my Actions.²

The modern rules of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, numeralization, and structural formatting have been followed in the quotes throughout this book to improve readability. None of these changes alter the meaning; and by referring to the sources in the footnotes, the reader will be able to examine the original.

Additionally, we identify a direct quotation from another source two ways within the text. One is as an indented blockquote set apart from the body text. The other is within the body text, a quote will have italicized text within quotation marks to distinguish it from normal body text. Thus, the use of italics inside quotation marks within the body text does not indicate any special emphasis. Any extra emphasis will be noted with the phrase emphasis added at the end of the quote to indicate the addition of bold, or underline, or some other form of emphasis not original to the quote.

Finally, we personally choose to capitalize all nouns or pronouns referring to the Bible or Biblical Deity as a sign of our respect (this includes capitalizing Providential); and for exactly the opposite reason, we choose not to capitalize words such as satan, lucifer, or the devil, but the quotes otherwise remain intact.

Acknowledgments

While our names appear on the cover as co-authors, it would be inaccurate to conclude that this book was solely our product. It is the result of almost three years of laborious work, and some 100 different iterations of the manuscript, with the contribution of numerous individuals—to each of whom our grateful appreciation is extended.

Among those deserving special acknowledgment are our wives, Gabi and Cheryl, who not only graciously gave us up to literally thousands of hours away from them but who also strongly supported and encouraged us throughout this important endeavor.

Steve McDowell of the Providence Foundation in Charlottesville, Virginia, identified much significant content and many worthy heroes who should be acknowledged and included.

Sarah Freeman was able to take many of our vague remembrances about what today have become obscure incidents or facts and locate the original documents and early works that authenticated those accounts. She spent months in source-checking the more than 1,000 endnotes in this work as well as locating hundreds of the graphics used throughout.

Kristina Smith spent countless weeks taking the immense content, both text and imagery, and formatting it into sections, chapters, and pages, thus making the information easier to read.

Damaris Schuler undertook the tedious task of editing the text for consistency among its numerous stories and ensuring flow and readability throughout the book.

Jonathan Richie not only did deep digging in ancient sources to thoroughly document the actual story (such as that of Christopher Columbus) but also to show when modern writers began introducing myths that now too often replace historical facts. His ability to craft rhetoric and present truth with cognizance of how those from various generations and backgrounds will interpret them was invaluable.

To these seven special individuals, and the many others who contributed to this work in some way, we offer a sincere Thank you! And we especially extend our heartfelt appreciation to our Lord and Creator, "in Whom we live, move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28), for His kind Providence and guiding hand throughout this extensive project.

Tim and David Barton

Note to Teachers, Parents, & Young Readers

A few accounts throughout this work contain first-hand descriptions of graphic situations that might be disturbing to some readers, such as Columbus’ discovery of cannibals, events in the Starving Time in Jamestown, and King Philip’s War against the Puritans and Pilgrims. It is not our intent to be offensive, but rather to provide an accurate retelling of those historical events. We have not included lengthy accounts of these incidents but just selected excerpts to illustrate what the much more extensive original records contained.

Introduction

THE GOLDEN THREAD OF AMERICAN HISTORY

A Golden Thread refers to a connecting ribbon or filament interlaced throughout a valuable tapestry. That Golden Thread is not necessarily prominent—it does not always command immediate attention; however, if searched for, it becomes evident. Running throughout the entirety of a fabric, it not only helps hold it together but also greatly increases its beauty, uniqueness, and worth.

The Golden Thread in American history is the superintending Providence of Almighty God. It includes both His interventions that are recognized by men and women, as well as those that are not. Without them, America would not have become the nation she has.

Across our centuries of existence, noted historians routinely drew attention to this important thread, but in recent decades it is rarely mentioned. The abundant evidence demonstrating God’s Providence in the American tapestry is now commonly ignored, and some even completely deny its presence.¹ Nevertheless, for those who have eyes to see, it is readily visible.

This book returns to the practice of historians in previous generations. We, too, point out interesting stories and incidents affirming the Golden Thread of God’s Providence in American history. We do this in part by utilizing the former practice of biographical history—that is, of learning the American Story by looking at the lives of key individuals who shaped and impacted the nation and how God was directly involved in their lives.

We also revive the practice of showing causes and effects, demonstrating that specific ideas and actions throughout our history have had very real consequences: some intended, some unintended; some good, some bad.

The approach we use was articulated by Dr. Jedidiah Morse, the Father of American Geography. He was an early American historian who not only lived through the War for Independence but also penned an early history of that conflict.² He explained that the interesting office of an historian is:

To record the progress of human affairs as directed by the Providence of God, to exhibit the connection of events showing how an immense series is produced as cause and effect, [and] to display the character of man and of God.³

We agree with Dr. Morse that to fully grasp significant events in our history, writers should (1) present a Providential view, acknowledging when God’s intervention is seen, whether for or against a particular outcome; (2) demonstrate that specific beliefs and behaviors have direct consequences; and (3) exhibit both the nature of God and the character of humans, pointing out the good as well as the bad and the ugly in America’s story.

Although American history is rarely presented from this viewpoint today, in reality, history can never be totally secular. Even if modern writers completely ignore God, He nonetheless remains actively involved in the dealings of people and nations in all ages. As an elderly Benjamin Franklin acknowledged while helping create the Constitution of the United States:

[T]he longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God

* governs in the affairs of men. 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 they labor in vain that build it [quoting the Bible from Psalm 127:1].⁴

Previous generations believed that to exclude a Providential view of history was to deprive readers of a truthful and accurate portrayal of human events. As Charles Coffin pointed out in a textbook used in 19th century public schools:⁵

[Y]ou will notice that while the oppressors have carried out their plans and had things their own way, there were other forces silently at work which in time undermined their plans—as if a Divine Hand were directing the counter-plan. Whoever peruses the Story of Liberty without recognizing this feature will fail of fully comprehending the meaning of history. There must be a meaning to history or else existence is an incomprehensible enigma [complete riddle].⁶

George Bancroft, the Father of American History, similarly affirmed:

That God rules in the affairs of men is as certain as any truth of physical science….nothing is by chance, though men in their ignorance of causes may think so.⁷

He continued:

[T]he fortunes of a nation are not under the control of blind destiny [but] follow the steps by which a favoring Providence, calling our institutions into being, has conducted the country to its present happiness and glory. ⁸

As Bancroft noted, there is more to the American Story than what he termed blind destiny; and from a Providential viewpoint, coincidence, accident, or luck is not the deciding factor.

The Hebrew language affirms this perspective, which, according to Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, was the language in which the Law and Oracles of God were written, and in which God and angels spoke to the holy patriarchs of old time, and [in which] names were given to things from the Creation.⁹

It is telling that the word coincidence does not exist in ancient Hebrew. Perhaps this is because the all-powerful Master Planner of the Universe knows that nothing is a random accident (see Daniel 4:35 and Job 42:1-2). As Jesus later attested, not even a sparrow falls to earth without God knowing, and He also knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:29-30).

Recognizing that God can and will directly intervene in the affairs of men and nations is the basis of what is known as a Providential view of history. Sadly, too many modern writers fail (or refuse) to acknowledge anything spiritual, much less the Providential hand of God.

In addition to missing an essential part of the American Story, ignoring matters of faith is simply bad history. Imagine, for instance, a history of Iran that ignores the influence of Islam in that country. Yet that is precisely what far too many contemporary historians today do with respect to Christianity in America.

For example, when writing about great leaders such as George Washington, many authors today not only disregard his clearly documented Christian faith, they even reject it, claiming that he was nothing more than a deist.¹⁰ Those writers use that term to impugn Washington as impious and irreligious, for many sources today associate the word deist with the terms atheist and agnostic.¹¹

In 1855, John Frederick Schroeder compiled Washington’s short and pithy statements into a book titled the Maxims of Washington.¹² He divided Washington’s adages into four categories: political, social, moral, and religious, and then introduced each subject with testimonials about Washington from contemporaries who personally knew him.¹³

In the section on Washington’s religious maxims, many of his friends and associates unequivocally avowed he was a Christian. This included US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, a military officer under Washington during the War for Independence, who affirmed that Washington "was a sincere believer in the Christian faith."¹⁴ Jonathan Mitchell Sewall, who likewise served with Washington in the War, agreed: "He was a firm believer in the Christian religion."¹⁵ Many other eyewitnesses quoted in that book confirmed the same.

Additionally, Washington’s own granddaughter, Nelly, who lived with him for 20 years at Mount Vernon, declared, Is it necessary that anyone should certify, ‘General Washington avowed himself to me a believer in Christianity?’ As well may we question his patriotism.¹⁶ And the Rev. John Leland, a prominent Baptist minister who worked on securing religious freedom both in Virginia and in the US Constitution, personally penned a 56-stanza poem entitled "Washington and Christ."¹⁷

Another forceful testimony of Washington’s strong Christian faith comes from the Rev. Henry Muhlenberg, whose son John Peter was one of Washington’s military generals. After a visit to see his son during the difficult encampment at Valley Forge in 1778, he testified that General Washington…respects God’s Word, believes in the atonement through Christ, and bears himself in humility and gentleness.¹⁸ Across the generations, others also routinely affirmed Washington’s devout Christian faith.

But in the current modern reprint of that historic Maxims of Washington book, John Riley, a scholar from Mount Vernon and the White House Historical Association, deleted the original eye-witness sections from the book and instead substituted his own opinion that Washington was a deist.¹⁹ To remove religion and faith from the story of Washington is to completely rewrite history, transforming truth into fiction.

The modern treatment of Alexis de Tocqueville’s classic work Democracy In America, originally published in 1835, shows the same type of overt historical censorship of religious acknowledgments.²⁰ Professor Richard D. Heffner provides one obvious example, touting his reprint as being "abridged for the modern reader."²¹ What does he believe makes the new edition more suitable for the modern reader? Less Christianity.

In his modern version, Heffner removed many of Tocqueville’s numerous ringing endorsements of America’s strong Christian faith and its visible presence and direct influence on American political life, including Tocqueville’s explicit declarations that:

The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other.²²

[T]here is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence on the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility, and of its conformity to human nature, than that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth.²³

Upon my arrival in the United States, the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention. And the longer I stayed there, the more did I perceive the great political consequences resulting from this state of things to which I was unaccustomed. In France, I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom pursuing courses diametrically opposed to each other. But in America, I found that they were intimately united, that they reigned in common over the same country.²⁴

None of these unequivocal pronouncements made by Tocqueville (nor many others like them) appear in that modern reprint.

The Godless Constitution is another blatant example of today’s obsessively rigid and anti-historical secularism. In this work, professors Isaac Kramnick and Laurence Moore assert that the Founding Fathers were largely a group of atheists, agnostics, and deists, with a few religious Founders sprinkled in among them. They then claim that all the Founders—both the religious and non-religious ones—deliberately set out to create a thoroughly secularist government.²⁵ But at the end of the book, where footnotes customarily appear to identify the evidence supporting their claims, the professors candidly acknowledge that "we have dispensed with the usual scholarly apparatus of footnotes."²⁶ No footnotes!

Instead, they give a head nod to several modern works for support, none of which are from the time period about which they are writing. Not even a high-school student can submit a research paper with the same lack of footnotes—which they should principally cite to primary sources (that is, documents from the era studied versus books and articles written today about that era). But these professors do this to advance their secularist views rather than present what historical documents actually show (which in this case, is just the opposite).

Removing religious faith and motivations from the discussion makes it easy to change the narrative. For example, today we are often told that the primary reason America separated from Great Britain was "taxation without representation." This certainly was a reason contributing to the fissure, but definitely not the reason. The Declaration of Independence lists 27 grievances, and the overwhelming majority address legislative, judicial, and military abuses. Economic complaints were only a very small focus in that document.

In fact, Samuel Adams, often called The Father of the American Revolution, affirmed that the Bible provided the foundational standard against which they measured many British abuses. As he pointed out in a 1772 work widely distributed by the Sons of Liberty:

The rights of the colonists as Christians…may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.²⁷

A major reason many patriots opposed Great Britain—a reason commonly ignored today—was British threats to religious liberty. For instance, George Washington stated that:

The establishment of civil and religious liberty was the motive which induced me to the field.²⁸

He further explained:

Convinced that our religious liberties were as essential as our civil, my endeavors have never been wanting [lacking] to encourage and promote the one while I have been contending for the other.²⁹

Charles Carroll, a Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence and a framer of the Bill of Rights, similarly declared:

To obtain religious as well as civil liberty I entered jealously into the Revolution.³⁰

Signer of the Constitution Alexander Hamilton, like so many others, viewed religious and civil liberties as inseparable, pointing out:

Remember: civil and religious liberties always go together; if the foundation of the one be sapped, the other will fall.³¹

There are many other examples, but perhaps College of New Jersey (now Princeton) President and signer of the Declaration of Independence John Witherspoon summarized it best when he stated:

There is not a single instance in history in which civil liberty was lost and religious liberty preserved entire.³²

Religious motivations have always been a strong influence in the American Story. In this work we return to the practice of early American historians by recounting ways that Christian and Biblical convictions and God’s Providential intervention shaped many leading citizens, our institutions, and significant events in our nation’s past.

Across American history, there have been countless fascinating stories of both the brave and the cowardly; of heroes and villains; of atrocities, corruption, and greed as well as self-sacrifice, honor, and redemption. Our story is not one of a perfect people, but it is a compelling account of people seeking religious and civil freedom, escaping oppression, pursuing opportunity, and often joining hands with diverse people to achieve common goals. We will not have space to present all of the story, so we will highlight a few of the significant events and heroes in our history that were influenced by the Bible and Christian faith across our first 350 years, spanning from Christopher Columbus through Abraham Lincoln.

What will be presented only scratches the surface of what is available but will make the Golden Thread more evident and the American Story much more inspiring than what appears in the narrow and often academically-censored fable so many hear today.

* God is underscored twice in Franklin’s handwritten version of this speech.

Section One

DISCOVERY & EARLY PL ANTING

Chapter 1

Christopher Columbus

The recorded story of America begins with the discovery of the New World in the late 15th century by Christopher Columbus. Even though the Vikings had landed in America hundreds of years earlier,¹ it was the announcement of Columbus’ arrival in 1492 that opened the Western Hemisphere to European colonization.

Columbus was born in Italy around 1451. He developed a love for the seas early in life, becoming one of the most proficient and talented navigators of his era.² An avid student of the Bible, Columbus came to believe it was possible to sail across the Atlantic to reach people in Asia who had never heard of the God Who is the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. (Columbus specifically quotes this phrase from Psalms 65:5 as one of the many Bible passages that inspired him in his historic undertaking.³)

Columbus formulated a plan for his unprecedented voyage, but he needed a sponsor to fund it. He first went to the Portuguese king who declined to take the financial risk. Columbus next went to Spain, and even sent one of his brothers to England seeking support. After several years of working with Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Spain finally agreed to finance a meager expedition of three ships.

In 1492, Columbus set out with the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María through uncharted waters to discover (at least, to the Western World) the Caribbean Islands—the first time in history that anyone had crossed the Atlantic at that latitude. When he landed there, he knelt and kissed the ground, planted a cross, and then led the sailors in prayer thanking God for the safe voyage.⁴ He christened the island San Salvador, meaning Holy Savior.⁵ (A massive 14’x20’ painting of this event called the Landing of Columbus is one of eight paintings depicting significant events in American history on permanent display in the Rotunda of the US Capitol.)

This was the first of Columbus’ four voyages to the New World and was largely one of discovery. No European had ever seen this part of the globe before, and it likewise was the first time natives had encountered anyone from that far east.

Columbus’ second voyage in 1493 was one of colonization, bringing more ships and colonists. Although the king and queen had made him governor of the new lands, many of the Spaniards resented an Italian giving them orders and openly resisted his leadership. He remained three years before returning to Spain.

In 1498, Columbus embarked on his third voyage. On his arrival, he found the colonists in open revolt against him, led by malicious and power-hungry Spaniards who had taken control while he was gone. Accusing him of malfeasance and misbehavior, they deposed him as governor, imprisoned him, and sent him back to Spain in irons. The king and queen, upon examining the charges and considering the evidence, fully exonerated him, but due to the open animosity of the Spanish colonists against him, they did not reinstate him as governor.

In 1502, Columbus began his fourth and final voyage, still searching for the mainland of Asia. During this trip, he was shipwrecked and stranded off the coast of Jamaica for a year. He returned to Spain in 1504, with his health shattered from many years of sailing in harsh weather and deadly conditions. He died in 1506, uttering the last words, "Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit [Luke 23:46]."⁶

For five centuries, people celebrated Columbus as a hero, with over 600 monuments erected around the world to honor him.⁷ The city of Washington DC even bears his name—DC stands for District of Columbia, or Columbus.⁸ But in recent years, he has been portrayed as a genocidal villain because of his so-called atrocious treatment of native peoples.⁹ But too many of today’s narratives fail to give the true story of his encounters and relationships with the early inhabitants of the Americas.

Over Columbus’ voyages to America, he interacted with two principal tribes. The first, which he met on his initial voyage, were the Taino, whom he viewed as very kind and gentle. He praised them as the best people in the world,¹⁰ openly affirming a better race there cannot be.¹¹ He even advocated for their full equality and citizenship, with civil rights.¹² The other tribe, the Caribs, which is the

Reviews for The American Story

[Larado Robinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unbelievable book getting to the truth of our history. Opened my eyes to a lot I didn't know.

[Jon Crapo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well researched, and referenced with original work from people that lived it rather than some socialist pushing a nefarious outlook on America. The book is filled with evidence of material they no longer teach in school. Everyone would benefit by reading this book.

[Thomas Berry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Too bad they don't teach this stuff in school anymore.