Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age, by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, of inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity and universal philanthropy, and in subordination to these great principles, the love of their country; of instructing them in the art of self-government, without which they never can act a wise part in the government of societies, great or small; in short, of leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system . . .
Samuel Adams to John Adams, October 7, 1790Quoted in Verna Hall's Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Vol I: Christian Self-Government, p. XIV.
While the language used may be a bit foreign to us today certainly the principle rings true!
No comments:
Post a Comment