Our National Heritage

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage; I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel (Psalm 16:6-7).

As we celebrate another anniversary of the independence of our beloved country, let us again give thanks to God for the noble heritage that has been bequeathed to us by the many God-fearing men and women who have gone before us. I have searched a collection of quotations from the founding fathers as well as other statesmen and want to use our monthly church bulletin to share some of them with you.

George Washington: This is taken from the personal prayer book of George Washington. This prayer, together with 23 others, was found in his field notebook and was written in his own hand:

"O most glorious God, loving heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sin. Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy holy Word.

"Make me to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom Thou hast appointed to rule us in church and state.

"Continue Thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions, I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept and answer for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. "

Daniel Webster: This famous American served as a U.S. Congressman, a U.S. Senator, and as the Secretary of State for three different presidents. His career spanned almost four decades. He stated: "If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will prosper and go on prospering; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.

"Our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits. Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.

"Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, and literary.

"Let us cherish these sentiments and extend this influence still more widely; in full conviction that this is the happiest society which partakes in the highest degree of the mild and peaceful spirit of Christianity. "

Thomas Jefferson: Prayer for Peace, March 4, 1805.

"Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.

"Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

"Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.

"In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. "

(Excerpted from America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations by William J. Federer)

From the Archives of Pastor A.C. Holmgren July/August 1999

Submitted by Pastor Stan