Today, there are many claims and tensions over differing views of America’s past. The best way to gain a grasp on that past is to search out the words and records of the people who lived at the time, both the well-known and the lesser known. Generally, to the Americans of the early republic, Christianity was very important. It provided the guiding beliefs and principles for multiple founding documents, calls to prayer and thanksgiving, and celebrations of the nation. John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States of America, was frequently asked to give addresses for the 4th of July, the anniversary of the Constitution, and other memorial events.
On July 4, 1793, John Quincy Adams spoke to the town of Boston, reviewing the Declaration of Independence and America’s path to liberty. Adams declared that in the diversified “history of the human race’ no one had more reason to celebrate than they who could proclaim their gratitude and happiness to the Deity for His transcendent favors. Adams pointed out the wisdom of freemen remembering the principles on which their institution was founded and cited that remembrance as a sacrifice to Liberty and a “renewal of homage to the Soveriegn, who alone is worthy of our veneration.”[1]
Furthermore, in his address to the town of Newburyport, on July 4, 1837, John Quincy Adams declared that the nation’s birthday was “indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Saviour.”[2] He then proceeded to explain that connection. Adams described the Declaration of Independence as being founded on the Redeemer’s earthly mission with the cornerstone of human government laid on the precepts of Christianity. In his speeches, Adams consistently demonstrated the connection between the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Christian principles. Adam’s viewpoint and explanations of the connection between Christianity and the American Republic were consistent with many leaders and citizens of the time.
For instance, although Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (John Quincy Adams’ father) disagreed on several topics, they both recognized the significance of Christianity to America. In a letter to Jefferson, dated June 28, 1813, John Adams stated that the “general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence,” were the only ones over which they could unite and that they were “the general Principles of Christianity.” In a letter written to Charles Thomson on January 9, 1816, Jefferson relayed his belief that the doctrines of Jesus are simple, tending to happiness. He also shared his opinion that the entire country would “be rallied to the unity of our Creator” and to Jesus’s doctrine. Another time, Jefferson said that American experience proved that religion is the best support of good government.[3]
[1] John Quincy Adams, An Oration Pronounced July 4th, 1793, At the Request Of The Inhabitants Of The Town Of Boston, In Commemoration Of The Anniversary Of American Independence (Boston: Benjamin Edes and Son, 1793) 2.
[2] John Quincy Adams, An Oration Delivered Before The Inhabitants of The Town Of Newburyport, At Their Request, on The Sixty-First Anniversary of The Declaration Of Independence, July 4th, 1837 (Newburyport: Morss and Brewster, 1837) 1.
[3] William J. Federer, America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotes (St. Louis, MO: Amerisearch, Inc., 2000) 12, 332, 334.