And as my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior, the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit; of Divine faith accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the Divine Providence: but also, in the bowels of a father’s affection, to exhort and charge them that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state. Richard Stockton, Signer of the Declaration
These wills, and others like them, represent the tone of what was common among the Founders. Additionally, the personal writings of many other Founders reflect equally succinct declarations about their faith in Christ. Consider a few examples:
My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away evade or object to the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances permits His disciples in asserting that He was God. John Quincy Adams
Now to the triune God, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honor and dominion, forevermore Amen. Gunning Bedford, Signer of the Constitution
The religion I have is to love and fear God, believe in Jesus Christ, do all the good to my neighbor, and myself that I can, do as little harm as I can help, and trust on God’s mercy for the rest. Daniel Boone, Revolutionary Officer; Legislator.
David Barton - Jesus attracted huge numbers of persons, believers and nonbelievers.
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