Our Godly Heritage: From William Penn to Donald Trump

By Rick Saccone,

Contrary to what we've been told recently, our history is by no means secular. It is rich with the influence of God's hand and God's word. His presence is apparent in the documents of our government, on the memorials we cherish most, in our government buildings, in our art, and in the words and writings of our greatest leaders. In a time when our culture is spiraling downward into a moral abyss, we have lost touch with God. We have fashioned a moral vacuum into which all manner of depravity is allowed to rush in, while any trace of virtue, God, or the Holy Scriptures is consciously sucked out. There has never been greater need than today for our people to hear the truth of our godly heritage. There has never been a greater need than today for our people to hear that truth reaffirmed by their leaders.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644589489

Book preview

cover.jpg

Our Godly Heritage

From William Penn to Donald Trump

Rick Saccone, PhD

ISBN 978-1-64458-947-2 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64515-453-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64458-948-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Rick Saccone, PhD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Introduction

From the beginning, the Holy Bible has played a fundamental role in America’s founding and the development of its government. Even before independence, the Bible influenced the key characters who crafted not only this nation’s most celebrated documents but also the lives of those who fought to establish America as one country.

Atheists and secularists relentlessly try to discredit the biblical values of the founding fathers, but the evidence is overwhelming that the founders were deeply religious men steeped in knowledge of the Bible and the love of God and they clearly brought those values to government.

The modern notion of a separation of church and state was unknown to the colonists. They were intent on fleeing the Church of England but not God. Those who settled this land brought their deep devotion to the Lord with them and planted it here in their lives, in their communities, and in their government.

Contrary to what we’ve been told recently, our history is by no means secular. It is rich with the influence of God’s hand and God’s word. His presence is apparent in the documents of our government, on the memorials we cherish most, in our government buildings, in our art, and in the words and writings of our greatest leaders.

In this book I will present the evidence to support that statement, by looking not only at the words of the founders but the very source documents of our liberty.

In a time when our culture is spiraling downward into a moral abyss, we have lost touch with God. We have fashioned a moral vacuum into which all manner of depravity is allowed to rush in, even encouraged to rush in, while any trace of virtue, God, or the Holy Scriptures is consciously expunged.

There has never been greater need than today for our people to hear the truth of our godly heritage. There has never been a greater need than today for our people to hear that truth reaffirmed by their leaders.

Use this book to defend our Godly heritage against secular attack. With the knowledge provided, I deputize you to go out in the world and teach our Godly heritage to as many people as possible. Satisfy the thirst to hear this wonderful message.

Long before our founding, the first documents of the powers that colonized this land were full of references to God and the Christian religion. For example, the First Charter of Virginia, April 10, 1606, granted by King James, stated the purpose of the charter was for the glory of almighty God and to spread the Christian religion:

We, greatly commending, and graciously accepting of, their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Worship of God, and may in time bring the Infidels and Savages, living in those parts, to human Civility, and to a settled and quiet Government: DO, by these our Letters Patents, graciously accept of, and agree to, their humble and well-intended Desires.¹

We will discuss a number of other such documents toward the end of this book. However, let us begin with the very icon of our heritage and our liberty, visible on everything from postage stamps to T-shirts: the Liberty Bell.

Liberty Bell: Leviticus 25:10

The Liberty Bell is an icon of American heritage and independence. Every school child can recognize it immediately, although they may not know much detail about it. It sits on full display to the world at Liberty Bell Center, Independence National Historical Park, in Philadelphia in a beautiful setting open to the public. It hangs proudly in a glass-enclosed area with the Independence Hall visible in the background.

So it is even more significant that this important symbol of America contains a scripture reference boldly embossed on the top front of it. What better evidence of the influence of the Bible on our history and development than the Liberty Bell.

The original bell was said to have been cast to honor the fiftieth anniversary of William Penn’s Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges in 1701. In 1751, officials desired a bell of higher quality. Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Isaac Norris II, ordered the colony’s London agent, Robert Charles, to obtain a good Bell of about two thousands pound weight:²

Let the bell be cast by the best workmen & examined carefully before it is Shipped with the following words well shaped around it vizt. By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania for the State house in the City of Philada 1752 and Underneath Proclaim Liberty thro’ all the Land to all the Inhabitants thereof.-Levit. XXV. (sic)

The inscription on the bell reads:

PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV. V X.

BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILAD

MDCCLIII

The inscription is evidence of the common acceptance of biblical principles and the use of biblical quotations for official government purposes. No cries of separation of church and state were brought when Leviticus 25:10 was ordered emblazoned to the official bell because the Bible was part of the common language of the time.

First Prayer in the Continental Congress

The first recorded prayer in our government was spoken during the meeting of the First Continental Congress in Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia, on September 7, 1774. It is corroborated in several places including the diary of John Adams and his personal letter to his wife, Abigail.

The delegates proposed a public prayer that they might gain in sobriety and wisdom.³ Just imagine our greatest leaders turning to prayer for wisdom, something decried today as unconstitutional in a public setting. Our founders were unafraid to call upon God in times of trouble, yet today we are falsely told that our laws forbid it.

The common thread of Americans was their shared faith and common biblical knowledge:

Despite denominational differences and a smattering of skeptics, the common philosophical foundation of the Continental Congress was a Bible based faith. That shared perspective was the common denominator among the delegates meeting in Carpenter’s Hall. Despite their differences and diversity, the delegates to the Continental Congress had generally been educated in the general principles of Christianity.⁴

When a few delegates grumbled that the religious diversity among them prevented jointly worshipping, Sam Adams arose to say he was no bigot and could hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue who was at the same time a friend to his country.⁵

And so an Episcopalian clergyman named Rev. Jacob Duché read the Psalm 35 from the Book of Common Prayer⁶ and followed with this now historic prayer of his own:

O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!

Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.

Amen.

Reverend Jacob Duché

Rector of Christ Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

September 7, 1774, 9 o’clock a.m.⁷

John Adams wrote this about the prayer, and the atmosphere in the room at the time, to his lovely wife, Abigail:

Page 1

John Adams Letter to Abigail

September 16, 1774

Phyladelphia Septr. 16, 1774

Having a Leisure Moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly embrace it to write you a Line.

When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a Motion, that it should be opened with Prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of N. York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, because we were so divided in religious Sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians and some Congregationalists, so that We could not join in the same Act of Worship.-Mr. S. Adams arose and said he was no Bigot, and could hear a Prayer from a Gentleman of Piety and Virtue, who was at the same Time a Friend to his Country. He was a Stranger in Phyladelphia, but had heard that Mr. Duche (Dushay they pronounce it) deserved that Character, and therefore he moved that Mr. Duche, an Episcopal Clergyman, might be desired, to read Prayers to the Congress, tomorrow Morning. The Motion was seconded and passed in the Affirmative. Mr. Randolph our President, waited on Mr. Duche, and received for Answer that if his Health would permit, he certainly would. Accordingly next Morning he appeared with his Clerk and in his Pontificallibus,⁸ and read several Prayers, in the established Form; and then read the Collect for the seventh day of September, which was the Thirty fifth Psalm. -You must remember this was the next Morning after we heard the horrible Rumour, of the Cannonade of Boston.-I never saw a greater

Page 2

Effect upon an Audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that Morning.

After this Mr. Duche, unexpected to every Body struck out into an extemporary Prayer, which filled the Bosom of every Man present. I must confess I never heard a better Prayer or one, so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fervour, such Ardor, such Earnestness and Pathos, and in Language so elegant and sublime-for America, for the Congress, for The Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the Town of Boston. It has had an excellent Effect upon every Body here.

I must beg you to read that Psalm. If there was any Faith in the sortes Virgilianae, or sortes Homericae, or especially the Sortes biblicae, it would be thought providential.

Page 3

It will amuse your Friends to read this Letter and the 35th. Psalm to them. Read it to your Father and Mr. Wibirt.-I wonder what our Braintree Churchmen would think of this?-Mr. Duche is one of the most ingenious Men, and best Characters, and greatest orators in the Episcopal order, upon this Continent-Yet a Zealous Friend of Liberty and his Country.

I long to see my dear Family. God bless, preserve and prosper it.⁹

Adieu.

John Adams

Everyone in the room, including Adams, was moved and inspired by Duché’s prayer, asking God for wisdom, protection, and blessings on this nation. He also asked for wise council for those deliberating there on the future of the country. There is no mistaking that God was a welcome part and predicate to the government.

For as long as I can remember, Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia displayed a fine commemoration of the first prayer in the main hall of the building. As one enters the front door, there is also a mosaic on the floor which says, Honor God. As a college professor, I used to take my students there. In July of 2013, I visited Carpenters’ Hall to capture a picture of the display. When I arrived that day, I was surprised to discover the display had disappeared. I inquired with the guide as to its whereabouts. I was informed the hall had reconstructed its displays and decided to eliminate the display of the first prayer. I was speechless. I asked how they could eliminate such an important historical moment of history. The guide just shrugged his shoulders and said that was the decision of those in charge. I could not believe it. As I looked around the room, I sadly realized all future visitors would now pass through without ever knowing that the first prayer in Congress began in that building.

This is emblematic of how our godly heritage is being erased incrementally and deliberately, by secularists and political correctness.

We will now turn to some of the most notable founding fathers searching for evidence that God and the Bible were not only part of their personal lives but uppermost in their official actions. There is no better man to begin with than the father of our country himself: George Washington.

http://media.salon.com/2010/10/washington_a_life_by_ron_chernow.jpg

Chapter 1

George Washington (1732–1799)

The father of our country, George Washington, was a towering figure, unparalleled in the respect and integrity attributed to him by his countrymen. Atheists and detractors have tried to destroy his reputation, and his Christianity, but the facts of history remain clear. One has only to read his words to discover the truth. While George Washington preferred to keep his religious views private, a man of his fame would naturally be required to share it at some point; and share it he did, in speeches, letters, conversations, proclamations, and his diary. He was a prolific writer, and his words are preserved for all to see in the library at his beloved estate: Mt. Vernon.

His devotion to Bible reading is well documented:

While he was president, Washington read a chapter from the Bible to his family before the family went to church on Sundays, according to his personal Secretary Tobias Lear’s records.¹⁰

Washington emphasized countless times that our nation’s prosperity depended on God’s providence. He spoke frequently of divine providence and the favoritism of God on him and America. He confirmed that strong faith in a letter to William Gordon in 1776, No man has a more perfect reliance on the all wise, and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have, nor thinks His aid more necessary.¹¹

Washington faithfully practiced the tenants of Christianity, attending church regularly and even fasting, a virtue lost to many modern Christians. His diary entries document his devotion. One entry for a Sunday in 1774 is a lone sentence, Went to church and fasted all day.¹² Not only did Washington attend church services regularly, but he ordered his men to do the same as it was crucial to the good order and discipline of the army.

Ordered Punctual Attendance at Divine Service

Washington firmly believed in attending church services regardless of denomination. He knew the influence of God’s word would curb the passions and vices of the men and strengthen them in hard times; and we all know the hard times the Continental Army suffered at places like Valley Forge. His official orders present the evidence that he expected their punctual attendance not only for their own spiritual benefit but to ensure the blessings of heaven for our struggle and our country:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 4, 1775

The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised for the support and defence of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service. They are now the Troops of the UNITED PROVINCES of North America; and it is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same Spirit may animate the whole, and the only Contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential service to the Great and common cause in which we are all engaged.

It is required and expected that exact discipline be observed, and due Subordination prevail thro’ the whole Army, as a Failure in these most essential points must necessarily produce extreme Hazard, Disorder and Confusion; and end in shameful disappointment and disgrace.

The General most earnestly requires, and expects, a due observance of those articles of war, established for the Government of the army, which forbid profane cursing, swearing and drunkenness; And in like manner requires and expects, of all Officers, and Soldiers, not engaged on actual duty, a punctual attendance on divine Service, to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means used for our safety and defence.¹³

All Officers are required and expected to pay diligent Attention to keep their Men neat and clean; to visit them often at their quarters, and inculcate upon them the necessity of cleanliness, as essential to their health and service. They are particularly to see, that they have Straw to lay on, if to be had, and to make it known if they are destitute of this article. They are also to take care that Necessarys be provided in the Camps and frequently filled up to prevent their being offensive and unhealthy. Proper Notice will be taken of such Officers and Men, as distinguish themselves by their attention to these necessary duties.

No Person is to be allowed to go to Fresh-water pond a fishing or on any other occasion as there may be danger of introducing the small pox into the army.

It is strictly required and commanded that there be no firing of Cannon or small Arms from any of the Lines, or elsewhere, except in case of necessary, immediate defence, or special order given for that purpose.

All Prisoners taken, Deserters coming in, Persons coming out of Boston, who can give any Intelligence; any Captures of any kind from the Enemy, are to be immediately reported and brought up to Head Quarters in Cambridge…¹⁴

Order for Chaplains

Military chaplains have been with us from the beginning of our army. This has always been a direct blow to the argument that tax money should not be used for religious purposes. Washington ordered pay for chaplains on July 9, 1776. Yes, we have used from the beginning and still do use tax dollars for religious purposes in our military. This fact is often completely