United Christians Church of America - SERMONS - America's Christian Heritage

WallBuilders presents an uncensored view of American history, thus not only giving meaning to history but also keeping it from becoming what Charles Coffin termed “an incomprehensible enigma.”

Providing Information
In the second part of our goal, we believe that as citizens learn the truth about our nation’s past, they will be better equipped to help frame its future and to help shape the policies under which they will live. Toward this end, WallBuilders is an educational resource to those working toward improving federal, state and local policies. This is accomplished in part by providing direct assistance to our elected and appointed officials. This assistance takes several forms, including consulting with both legislators and judges, at their request, on legal and historical issues, testifying in state and federal hearings, providing research services, identifying and supporting sound legislation, and providing historical perspectives to current problems.

Encouraging Christians
Thirdly, we encourage people of faith to become involved in the civic arena, whether through prayer or direct involvement. As President and gospel minister James A. Garfield stated, “Now, more than ever, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation. . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”

“Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us.” - Thomas Jefferson.

"The standard of good behavior for the continuance in office of the judiciary magistracy is certainly one of the most valuable of the modern improvements in the practice of government." - Alexander Hamilton.

"Those who would give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin.

"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all." - Thomas Jefferson.

"I hold that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing and as necessary to the political world as storms in the physical." - Thomas Jefferson.

"...all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is the right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security ... ." - Declaration of Independence.

"...with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." - Declaration of Independence.

"I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." - Nathan Hale.

“An elective despotism is not the government we fought for.” – Thomas Jefferson.

“Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.” – Davy Crockett.

“The history of liberty is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of limitations of governmental power, not the increase of it.” – Woodrow Wilson.

“I believe that there are more instances of the abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison.

“It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government.” – Thomas Paine.

“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” – Samuel Adams.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” - Johann W. von Goethe.

“It will require a determined heart and more than a little courage to wrench ourselves loose form the grip of our times.” – A.W. Tozer.

Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand....The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty. - John Adams.

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. - John Adams.

[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society. - Samuel Adams

Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness. - Benjamin Franklin.

How many observe Christ's birth-day! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments. - Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac.

The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts. - John Jay.

Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God. - Governeur Morris, 1791.

Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind. - Benjamin Rush.

[T]he only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments. - Benjamin Rush

The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations. - George Washington.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness. - George Washington, 1796, Farewell Address.

[W]here is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths...? - George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796.

And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious and civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land. - James Madison.

It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to won their dependence upon the overruling power of God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. - Abraham Lincoln.

Belief in, and dependence on, God is essential. - Ronald Reagan.

The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles...This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitution of government. - Noah Webster.

Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens. - Daniel Webster.

The Bible is the Rock on which this Republic rests. - Andrew Jackson.
"Entering thus solemnly into covenant with each other, we may reverently invoke and confidently expect the favor and help of Almighty God-that He will give to me wisdom, strength and fidelity, and to our people a spirit of fraternity and love of righteousness and peace." - Benjamin Franklin.

"I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?" - Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Congress, 1787.

"Tyranny is so generally established in the rest of the world that the prospect of an asylum in America for those who love liberty gives general joy, and our cause is esteemed the cause of all mankind...We are fighting for the dignity and happiness of human nature. Glorious it is for the Americans to be called by Providence to this post of honour. Cursed and detested will everyone be that deserts or betrays it." - Benjamin Franklin.

"The small progress we have made after four or five weeks of close attendance and continual reasonings with each other - our different sentiments on almost every question - several of the last producing as many nos as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which have been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.
In this situation of this assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hiterto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginnning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard; they were graciously answered. Have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? ...
We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests, our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword to future ages. And what is worse, Mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth Prayers, imploring Assistance in Heaven and Its Blessing on our deliverations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service." - Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention, 1787.

"Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature ... I never doubted the existence of the Deity, that He made the world, and governed it by His Providence...The pleasures of this world are rather from God's goodness than our own merit...Whoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world." - Benjamin Franklin.

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759.

"Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you." - Benjamin Franklin.

"It is common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own." - Benjamin Franklin.

"In submission of God's will and the laws of nature, may be found the tranquility of mind that brings peace and contentment, as the night comes on." - Benjamin Franklin.

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined." -- Patrick Henry.

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it." - - Patrick Henry.

“Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?” -- Patrick Henry.

“The great object is that every man be armed.” - - Patrick Henry.

"We shall not fight alone. God presides over the destinies of nations and will raise up friends for us. The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to vigilant, the active, the brave ... ! Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or giver me death!" - - Patrick Henry.

"It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of others faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." - - Patrick Henry, May 1765, Speech to the House of Burgesses.

Amongst other strange things said of me, I hear it is said by the deists that I am one of the number; and indeed, that some good people think I am no Christian. This thought gives me much more pain than the appellation of Tory; because I think religion of infinitely higher importance than politics; and I find much cause to reproach myself that I have lived so long, and have given no decided public proofs of my being a Christian. But, indeed, my dear child, this is a character which I prize far above all this world has, or can boast." - Patrick Henry, letter to his daughter.

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." - Thomas Paine.

"Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness." - Thomas Paine.

"Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." - Thomas Paine.

"The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection." - Thomas Paine.

"When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary." - Thomas Paine.

"A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue, but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine.

" When my country, into which I had just set foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir." - Thomas Paine.

"O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!" - Thomas Paine.

"The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes." - Thomas Paine.

"A long habit of not thinking something wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right." - Thomas Paine.

"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." - Thomas Paine.

"If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately." - Thomas Paine.

"If there must be trouble let it be in my day so my children may have peace." - Thomas Paine.

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country ... Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly ... Heaven knows how to put a price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated ...God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction ... who have so earnestly ... sought to avoid the calamities of war... The whole English army, after ravaging the kingdom of France, was driven back ... by a few broken forces collected and headed by a woman, Joan of Arc. Would that heaven might inspire some Jersey maid to spirit up her countrymen ... Let it be told to the future world , that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it ...'Show your faith by your works.' that God may bless you ... I thank God, that I fear not." - Thomas Paine, aide-de-camp to General Nathaniel Greene, "The American Crisis," 1776.

"It is an error of the schools to teach astronomy, and all the other sciences and subjects of natural philosophy, as accomplishments only; whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the author of them: for all principles of science are of divine origin. Man cannot make, or invent, or contrive principles: he can only discover them; and he ought to look through the discovery to the Author." - Thomas Paine.

"The evil that has resulted from the error of the schools, in teaching natural philosophy as an accomplishment only, has been that of generating in the pupils a species of atheism." - Thomas Paine.

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. - James Madison.

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. - James Madison.

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government. - James Madison.

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on the object of benevolence, the money of their constituents. - James Madison.

Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government. - James Madison

With respect to the words 'general welfare' I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character not contemplated by its creators. - James Madison.

“If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their Own hands; they may appoint teachers in every state, county, and parish, and pay them out of their public treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision for the poor; they may undertake the regulation of all roads other than post-roads; in short, every thing, from the highest object of state legislation down to the most minute object of police, would be thrown under the power of Congress; for every object I have mentioned would admit of the application of money, and might be called, if Congress pleased, provisions for the general welfare. … I venture to declare it as my opinion, that, were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the very foundations, and transmute the very nature of the limited government established by the people of America …” - James Madison.

“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” - James Madison.

"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty." - Thomas Jefferson

"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have...the course of history shows that as government grows, liberty decreases." - Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the preference of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." - Thomas Jefferson

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fear the people, there is liberty." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people...They are the only reliance for the preservation of liberty." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Most bad government has grown out of too much government." - Thomas Jefferson.

"The American Union will last as long as God pleases. It is the duty of every American Citizen to exert his utmost abilities and endeavors to preserve it as long as possible and to pray with submission to Providence "esto perpetua" [may it last forever]." - John Adams, Aug. 2, 1820.

"The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America." - Ronald Reagan.

“It is necessary that the supreme judiciary should have the confidence of the people. This will soon be lost if they are employed in the task of remonstrating against popular measures of the legislature.” James Madison.

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Moralityare indispensable supports.
In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars...
Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion...
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle...
Morality is a necessary spring of popular government...
Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?" - George Washington, Farewell Address.

“The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal government are few and defined.” – James Madison.

"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men by their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood." - James Madison.

"...rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because the law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of the victim may be the most oppressive." - James Madison.

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits and industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his country whotries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into an office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man." - Samuel Adams.

"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." - William Pitt.

"Man is not free unless government is limited." - Ronald Reagan.

"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." - George Washington.

"When firearms go, all goes." - George Washington.

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy." - George Washington.

"The power of making war often prevents it, and in our case would give efficacy to our desire of peace." - George Washington.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. ... God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion; what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1787.

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined." -- Patrick Henry.

“Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.” -- Thomas Jefferson.

“No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms ... .” -- Thomas Jefferson.

“The right of self-defense is the first law of nature; ... Wherever standing armies are kept, and when the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction.” - Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1768.

“The Constitution shall never be construed... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” -- Samuel Adams.

“Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?” -- Patrick Henry.

“The great object is that every man be armed.” - - Patrick Henry.

“Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.” -- Thomas Paine.

"Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual."--Thomas Jefferson, 1819.