Words Spoken, Through The Years…

In obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.“ 

– President George Washington, First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789  

“A democracy, that is a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people; of course, a government of the principles of eternal justice, the unchanging law of God; for shortness’ sake, I will call it the idea of Freedom. “ 

– Theodore Parker, abolitionist, clergyman, May 29, 1850  

God’s time is always near. He set the North Star in the heavens. He gave me the strength in my limbs. He meant I should be free. … I said to the Lord, I’m going to hold steady on to you, and I know you will see me through. … I ask of my Heavenly Father, that when the last trump sounds and my name is called, I may stand close by your side, and answer the call.“ 

– Harriet Tubman, abolitionist and Underground Railway facilitator, 1860s.  

“All peoples have some religion. In our day men who cast off the Christian religion show the innate tendency by spending time and effort in Spiritualism. If the God of the Bible is dethroned the goddess of reason is set up. Religion always has been, always will be. Now, the best religion the world has ever had is the religion of Christ. A man or a community adopting it is virtuous, prosperous, and happy.“ 

– President Rutherford B. Hayes

“My life-long experience as a businessman, and as a Christian worker among young men, has taught me that the only power in this world that can effectively keep one from evil and sin, in all the varied and often attractive forms which they assume, is that which comes from an intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as a present Savior. And I can also heartily testify that the safe Guide Book by which one may be led to Christ is theBible, the Word of God, which is inspired by the Holy Ghost.“ 

– George Williams, Founder of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), 1844