John Adams' Faith in Time of Crisis -Guest Blog By William Federer

by William Federer John Adams wrote to his cousin, Rev. Zabdiel Adams, June 21, 1776: "Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our people in a greater measure, than they have it now, they may change their rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."

America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations

On July 1, 1776, John Adams wrote to Archibald Bullock: "The object is great which we have in view, and we must expect a great expense of blood to obtain it. But we should always remember that a free Constitution of civil Government cannot be purchased at too dear a rate as there is nothing, on this side (of) the New Jerusalem, of equal importance to Mankind."

On July 1, 1776, John Adams spoke to the delegates of the Thirteen Colonies at the Continental Congress: "Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!"

The Continental Congress selected John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, Roger Sherman and Thomas Jefferson to be on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. John Adams personally urged Thomas Jefferson to write the draft. In contemplating the effect that separation from England would mean to him personally, John Adams wrote: "If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready, at the appointed hour of sacrifice, come when that hour may. But while I do live, let me have a country, and that a free country!"

On July 3, 1776, the day following Congress' approval of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams: "It is the will of heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting and distresses yet more dreadful ... The furnace of affliction produces refinements, in states as well as individuals ... You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the causes, which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man ... The new governments we are assuming ... will require a purification from our vices and an augmentation of our virtues or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power. And the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. I am not without apprehensions from this quarter, but I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe."

As the 2nd President, John Adams wrote, April 26, 1777: "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."

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John Adams' son, John Quincy Adams, was the 6th U.S. President. He stated, March 4, 1825: "'Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain,' with fervent supplications for His favor, to His overruling Providence I commit with humble but fearless confidence my own fate and the future destinies of my country."                                            *** Hope the above article inspired you during this crisis time in America battling the Covid-19 virus. My family is choosing to live in Psalm 91 and defeat fear in all its forms.  Psalm 23 is a great blessing, too! We are praying for America to come back to God and His word. This is our way to mercy and victory. May the Lord bless and keep you is my prayer today! Elva Martin