Faith of Our Founders

William Samuel Johnson
(JUDGE, MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION, FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE, U.S. SENATOR)

In an address to graduates:

"You this day....have, by the favor of Providence and the attention of friends, received a public education, the purpose whereof hath been to qualify you the better to serve your creator and your country. You have this day invited this audience to witness the progress you have made....Thus you assume the character of scholars, of men, and of citizens....Go, then,....and exercise them with diligence, fidelity, and zeal....Your first great duties, you are sensible, are those you owe to heaven, to your Creator and Redeemer. Let these be ever present to your minds, and exemplified in your lives and conduct. Imprint deep upon your minds the principles of piety towards God, and a reverance and fear of His holy name. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and its [practice] is everlasting [happiness]....Reflect deeply and often upon [your] relations [with God]. Remember that it is in God you live and move and have your being,-that, in the language of David, He is about your bed and about your path and spieth out all your ways - that there is not a thought in your hearts, nor a word upon your tongues, but lo! He knoweth them altogether, and that He will one day call you to a strict account for all your conduct in this mortal life. Remember, too, that you are the redeemed of the Lord, that you are bought with a price, even the inestimable price of the precious blood of the Son of God. Adore Jehovah, therefore, as your God and your Judge. Love, fear, and serve Him as your Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Acquaint yourselves with Him in His word and holy ordinances....[G]o forth into the world firmly resolved neither to be allured by its vanities nor contaminated by its vices, but to run with patience and perseverance, with firmness and [cheerfulness], the glorious career of religion, honor, and virtue....Finally,...in the elegant and expressive language are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsover things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" - and do them, and the God of peace shall be with you, to whose most gracious protection I now commend you, humbly imploring Almighty Goodness that He will be your guardian and your guide, your protector and the rock of your defense, your Savior and your God."

WOW! To think that this was a commencement address for a public education institution is amazing in light of our situation today.
Would it not be wonderful to hear such an address ring through our land again?