Explore the remarkable men behind America’s independence. Be inspired by these faith-filled quotes from two of America’s founding fathers: John Adams and George Washington. This post is an excerpt from Master Books' new & improved revised edition of For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation. This homeschool curriculum for junior high students teaches the Christian principles upon which the United States of America was formed. In this unique American History course, students explore the lives, achievements, and character of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The signers of the Declaration of Independence were 56 courageous men who so fervently believed in freedom that they sacrificed whatever was necessary to support the cause – money, property, business, family, health, and more. Many of these men where Christian, but even those who weren’t highly respected the teachings of the Bible.
The Church was influential in shaping the beliefs of the founders. The pulpits of America helped to shape what Americans thought about issues of the day. Current events preached about, and the bible was revered as having the answers to every dilemma in life. Even those who did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ had a respect for Scripture and godly principles.
John Adams declared, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were … the general principles of Christianity … now I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
The first Congress, held in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, opened with prayer that lasted for hours. They read Psalm 35 and felt God used it to speak direction to their lives.
As Adams later told his wife of the victory at Fort Mifflin, “It appears to me the eternal Son of God is operating powerfully against the British Nation.”
As Adams later told his wife of the victory at Fort Mifflin, “It appears to me the eternal Son of God is operating powerfully against the British Nation.” In his first inaugural address, George Washington stated: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.” He charged his troops, “To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
Alexis de Tocqueville, a French observer, came to America in the 1830’s seeking to find what made her great. This was his conclusion:
“Upon my arrival in the United States, the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struct my attention. And the longer I stayed there the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this state of things to which I was unaccustomed. In France, I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom pursuing courses diametrically opposed to each other. But in America, I found that they were intimately united, that reigned in common over the same country.”
For You They Signed, a homeschool curriculum for junior high students, is a study of America’s Christian heritage focused on the historical events and people surrounding the Declaration of Independence. The early Founding Fathers of the United States of America were men of principle who debated important points of government, liberty, and the God-given rights of mankind. Their work and sacrifice created an enduring legacy that led to some of the most influential documents in history, like the Constitution of the United States of America. In this remarkable course, students will:
- Evaluate the signers of the Declaration of Independence
- Investigate the Christian principles America was founded on
- Demonstrate an understanding of Christian character
- Learn why the Declaration of Independence is still important
- Be inspired by the founding Fathers' faith and courage
In For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation, author Marilyn Boyer writes to the student to, “Let what you learn guide you as you and your family strive to be salt and light where you live today. Let us, with a clear conscience, be able to echo the words spoken by John Adams after his long years of service in Congress: ‘Whatever becomes of me, my friends shall never suffer by my negligence.’”
