After this, Mr. Duché, unexpected to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present.”[iii] Believing that their cause was just and that God would help and guide them, the colonists were encouraged and emboldened to fight for their freedom. In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.—Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. We have banned prayer from public schools, driven God from the public square, banished His Law for the courtroom and scorned His guiding principles. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor. All rights reserved. 1. Suggested Readings: 4. The Pilgrim’s Mayflower Compact as Covenant If we read the closing words of the Declaration of Independence, we find the following: “…with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” A declaration was thus made of dependence on Almighty God. Gaillard Hunt (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1902), 310-311; Dreisbach, “Bible in the Political Rhetoric,” 17-18. 362-365, or in the “Miracle of America Snapshots” handout under member resources at americanheritage.org. The American, Bible-based Defense of Unalienable Rights Three P’s That Led to Freedom in the West: Printing Press, Protestant Reformation, & Pilgrims The American Revolution: An Introduction Jobs have been exported by the thousands. Veering from the Enlightenment’s deistic view of God as uninvolved in the world, many early Americans’ recognized a biblical God or “Divine Providence” who intervenes in the lives, events, and affairs of men. Why does Jefferson conclude with this statement? They grope in the dark without light, And He makes them stagger like a drunken man.” James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Daniel 4:17: “‘The Most High rules in the kingdom of men.’” Matthew 10:29-31 (Luke 12:6-7): “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 7. 2. 21/July23-Dec 31, 1781, ed. our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth, and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all kingdoms, empires, and governments. He writes, The real wonder is that so many difficulties should have been surmounted, and surmounted with a unanimity almost as unprecedented as it must have been unexpected. Self-Evident Truth: A Philosophy of Rights in the Declaration of Independence Such were the views of many early Americans, which greatly impacted their thoughts and actions at that time. [i] John Witherspoon, “The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men,” 17 May 1776, in The Works of John Witherspoon, in Three Volumes, vol. 15. For the Founding Fathers, the doctrine of the providence of God was inextricably linked to the idea that Jesus Christ was the Creator who decrees law and sustains life. He prayed, …. Be Thou present, O God of wisdom [see James 1:5], and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. This was on July 4, 1776. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” Deuteronomy 28:15, 37: “‘If you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes…all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. [ix], Portrait of Benjamin Rush by Charles Willson Peale, c1818. Amen. Clinton Rossiter (New York: Mentor Penguin, 1961), 230-31. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples.” Psalm 44:13-14: “You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those all around us. Houston, TX: American Heritage Education Foundation, 2014, 2015 next morning we..., p. 241 York: Hillard, Gray, and the discussions successfully. Universe has blessed our nation with the choicest bounties of Heaven is a matter of historical.. 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