Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!yale!husc6!seismo!columbia!caip!clyde!cbatt!cbosgd!ucbvax!vax135!gks From: gks@vax135.UUCP (Ken Swanson) Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc,net.religion.christian Subject: Christian Roots of the U.S. - final part Message-ID: <1585@vax135.UUCP> Date: Tue, 9-Sep-86 12:13:49 EDT Article-I.D.: vax135.1585 Posted: Tue Sep 9 12:13:49 1986 Date-Received: Thu, 11-Sep-86 04:18:35 EDT Organization: AT&T Bell Labs Lines: 99 Xref: linus talk.religion.misc:21 net.religion.christian:4603 The following is based on excerpts from a sermon, "Church and State," by Rev. Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. PART III (final part) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- * George Washington, in one of his first official acts, presents the First Thanksgiving Proclamation: "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor ..." * All of the state constitutions, all 50 without exception, contain an appeal or prayer to the the Almighty God of this universe. For example: "We, the people of the State of North Caroline, grateful to Almighty God, the sovereign Ruler of nations, for the preservation of the American union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties ..." Vermont Constitution: "That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences ..." ""We, the people of the state of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this constitution." * A box in the cornerstone of the Capitol Building, the cornerstone laid by George Washington, contains a manuscript in the handwriting of Daniel Webster: "... And all here are assembled, whether belonging to public life or to private life, with hearts devotedly thankful to Almighty God for the preservation of the liberty and the happiness of the country, unite in sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit and the walls and arches, the domes and towers, the columns and the entablatures, now to be erected over it, may endure forever. God save the United States of America." * In the House of Representatives, above the seat of the one who presides over that house, is a sign approved by the Senate and House of Representatives which reads in large words: "In God We Trust." * It is hard to believe, but the crier announces the start of every Supreme Court proceddings with the words "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the court is now sitting. God save the United States and the Honorable Court." (Perhaps this should be re-worded to "God save the United States from this Supreme Court.") * Over the fireplace installed by John Adams in the White House are the words: "I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this White House and on all that shall inhabit it ..." * Along the stairs rising in the Washington Monument are the words: "God and our native land" "'The memory of the just is blessed' Proverbs 10:7" "Search the Scriptures" "Holiness to the Lord" "Suffer the little children to come unto to me and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God" "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it" "In God we trust" "May Heaven to this union continue its beneficence" And at the very top of the Monument, on the outside, are the words: "Praise be to God" * On the walls of various rooms in the Library of Congress: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork" "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding" "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" "One God, one element, and one far-off divine event, to which the whole creation moves" "Nature is the art of God" "That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" ************************************************************************ Is there any doubt - based upon the above evidence from early documents, buildings and written works of the fathers of this country - that this is a nation under God founded for the furtherance of the Gospel and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ? ************************************************************************** end of Part III --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to Dr. Kennedy for this timely sermon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken Swanson AT&T Bell Labs ... ihnp4!vax135!gks