John Jay (December 12, 1745-May 17, 1829) was the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, having been appointed by President George Washington. He was a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses and served as the President of the Continental Congress. He was very instrumental in causing the Constitution to be ratified, by writing the Federalist Papers, along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. In 1777, John Jay helped to write the Constitution of New York, and from 1795- 1801 held the position of Governor of the State of New York.
On December 23, 1776, in an address before the New York Convention, John Jay urged:
<Let a general reformation of manners take place-let universal charity, public spirit, and private virtue be inculcated, encouraged, and practiced. Unite in preparing for a vigorous defense of your country, as if all depended on your own exertions.
And when you have done all things, then rely upon the good Providence of Almighty God for success, in full confidence that without his blessings, all our efforts will inevitably fail...
The holy gospels are yet to be preached to these western regions, and we have the highest reason to believe that the Almighty will not suffer slavery and the gospel to go hand in hand. It cannot, it will not be.> 1745JJ001
On September 8, 1777, Chief Justice of the State of New York, John Jay, gave a charge to the Grand Jury of Ulster County, New York:
<Gentlemen- It affords me very sensible pleasure to congratulate you on the dawn of that free, mild, and equal government which now begins to rise and break from amid those clouds of anarchy, confusion, and licentiousness which the arbitrary and violent domination of Great Britain had spread in greater or less degree throughout this and the other American States.
And it gives me particular satisfaction to remark that the first fruits of our excellent Constitution appear in a part of this State, whose inhabitants have distinguished themselves by having unanimously endeavored to deserve them.
This is one of those signal instances in which Divine Providence has made the tyranny of princes instrumental in breaking the chains of their subjects, and rendered the most inhuman designs productive of the best consequences to those against whom they were intended.
The infatuated sovereign of Britain, forgetful that kings were the servants, not the proprietors, and ought to be the fathers, not the incendiaries of their people, hath, by destroying our former constitutions, enabled us to erect more eligible systems of government on their ruins; and, by unwarrantable attempts to bind us in all cases whatever, has reduced us to the happy necessity of being free from his control in any.
Whoever compares our present with our former Constitution will find abundant reason to rejoice in the exchange, and readily admit that all the calamities incident to this war will be amply compensated by the many blessings flowing from this glorious revolution - a revolution which, in the whole course of its rise and progress, is distinguished by so many marks of the Divine favor and interposition, that no doubt can remain of its being finally accomplished. It was begun and has been supported in a manner so singular, and I may say miraculous, that when future ages shall read its history they will be tempted to consider a great part of it as fabulous.
What, among other things, can appear more unworthy of credit than that, in an enlightened age, in a civilized and Christian country, in a nation so celebrated for humanity as well as love of liberty and justice as the English once justly were, a prince should arise who, by the influence of corruption alone, should be able to reduce them into a combination to reduce three million of his most loyal and affectionate subjects to absolute slavery, under a pretence of a right, appertaining to God alone, of binding them in all cases whatever, not even excepting cases of conscience and religion?
What can appear more improbable, although true, than that this prince and his people should obstinately steel their hearts and shut their ears against the most humble petitions and affectionate remonstrances, and unjustly determine by violence and force to execute designs which were reprobated by every principle of humanity, equity, gratitude, and policy-designs which would have been execrable if intended against savages and enemies, and yet formed against men descended from the same common ancestors as themselves-men who had liberally contributed to their support and cheerfully fought their battles even in remote and baleful climates.
Will it not appear extraordinary that thirteen colonies, the object of their wicked designs, divided by variety of governments and manners, should immediately become one people, and though without funds, without magazines, without disciplined troops, in the face of their enemies, unanimously determine to be free, and, undaunted by the power of Britain, refer their cause to the justice of the Almighty, and resolve to repel force by force, thereby presenting to the world an illustrious example of magnanimity and virtue scarcely to be paralleled?
Will it not be matter of doubt and wonder, that notwithstanding these difficulties, they should raise armies, establish funds, carry on commerce, grow rich by the spoils of their enemies, and bid defiance to the armies of Britain, the mercenaries of Germany, and the savages of the wilderness?
But, however incredible these things may in the future appear, we know them to be true; and we should always remember that the many remarkable and unexpected means and events by which our wants have been supplied and our enemies repelled or restrained, are such strong and striking proofs of the interposition of Heaven, that our having been hitherto delivered from the threatened bondage of Britain ought, like the emancipation of the Jews from Egyptian servitude, to be forever ascribed to its true cause; and instead of swelling our breasts with arrogant ideas of our powers and importance, kindle in them a flame of gratitude and piety which may consume all remains of vice and irreligion.
Blessed be God! The time will now never arrive when the prince of a country in another quarter of the globe will command your obedience, and hold you in vassalage. His consent has ceased to be necessary to enable you to enact laws essential to your welfare; nor will you in future be subject to the imperious sway of rulers instructed to sacrifice your happiness whenever it might be inconsistent with the ambitious views of their royal master.
The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live. All other constitutions have derived their existence from violence or accidental circumstances, and are therefore probably more distant from their perfection, which, though beyond our reach, may nevertheless be approached under the guidance of reason and experience.
How far the people of this State have improved this opportunity, we are at a loss to determine. Their constitution has given general satisfaction at home, and been not only approved but applauded abroad. It would be a pleasing task to take a minute view of it, to investigate its principles and remark the connection and use of its several parts; but that would be a work of too great length to be proper on this occasion.
I must therefore confine myself to general observations, and among those which naturally arise from a consideration of this subject, none are more obvious than that the highest respect has been paid to those great and equal rights of human nature, which should forever remain inviolate in every society, and that such care has been taken in the disposition of the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government, as to promise permanence to the constitution, and give energy and impartiality to the distribution of justice.
So that while you possess wisdom to discern and virtue to appoint men of worth and abilities to fill the offices of the State, you will be happy at home and respectable abroad. Your lives, your liberties, your property, will be at the disposal only of your Creator and yourselves. You will know no power but such as you will create; no authority unless derived from your grant; no laws but such as acquire all their obligation from your consent.
Adequate security is also given to the rights of conscience and private judgment. They are by nature subject to no control but that of the Deity, and in that free situation they are now left. Every man is permitted to consider, to adore, and to worship his Creator in the manner most agreeable to his conscience. No opinions are dictated, no rules of faith prescribed, no preference given to one sect to the prejudice of others.
The constitution, however, has wisely declared, that the "liberty of conscience thereby granted shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State."
In a word, the convention by whom that constitution was formed were of opinion that the gospel of Christ, like the ark of God, would not fall, though unsupported by the arm of flesh; and happy would it be for mankind if that opinion prevailed more generally.
But let it be remembered that whatever marks of wisdom, experience, and patriotism there may be in your constitution, yet like the beautiful symmetry, the just proportion, and elegant forms of our first parents before their Maker breathed into them the breath of life, it is yet to be animated, and till then may indeed excite admiration, but will be of no use: from the people it must receive its spirit and by them be quickened.
Let virtue, honor, the love of liberty and of science be and remain the soul of this constitution, and it will become the source of great and extensive happiness to this and future generations. Vice, ignorance, and want of vigilance will be the only enemies able to destroy it. Against these be forever jealous.
Every member of the State ought diligently to read and to study the constitution of his country, and teach the rising generation to be free. By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated, and be the better prepared to defend and assert them. This, gentlemen, is the first court held under the authority of our constitution, and I hope its proceedings will be such as to merit the approbation of the friends, and avoid giving cause of censure to the enemies of the present establishment. It is proper to observe that no person in this State, however exalted or low his rank, however dignified or humble his station, but has a right to the protection of, and is amenable to, the laws of the land; and if those laws be wisely made and duly executed, innocence will be defended, oppression punished, and vice restrained.
Hence it becomes the common duty, and indeed the common interest of those concerned in the distribution of justice, to unite in repressing the licentious, in supporting the laws, and thereby diffusing the blessings of peace, security, order and good government, through all degrees and ranks of men among us. I presume it will be unnecessary to remind you that neither fear, favor, resentment, or other personal and partial considerations should influence your conduct.
Calm, deliberate, reason, candor, moderation, a dispassionate and yet a determined resolution to do your duty, will, I am persuaded, be the principles by which you will be directed. You will be pleased to observe that all offences committed in this country against the people of this State, from treason to trespass, are proper objects of your attention and inquiry.
You will pay particular attention to the practice of counterfeiting bills of credit, emitted by the General Congress, or either of the American States, and of knowingly passing such counterfeits-practices no less criminal in themselves than injurious to the interests of that great cause, on the success of which the happiness of America so essentially depends.> 1745JJ002
When America's currency was losing value, giving rise to the idiom "not worth a Continental," John Jay, as 5th President of the Continental Congress (1778-1779), wrote September 13, 1779:
<Depreciation of the currency has...swelled the prices of every necessary article...Depreciation is to be removed only by lessening the quantity of money in circulation...A distrust...by the mass of the people...in the ability...of the United States to redeem their bills, is the cause of it...A bankrupt faithless republic would...appear among reputable nations like a common prostitute among chaste and respectable matrons...It has been already observed, that in order to prevent the further natural depreciation of our bills, we have resolved to stop the press.> 1745JJ021
On September 3, 1783, John Jay, along with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, signed the Treaty of Paris, ratified by Congress January 14, 1784, which officially ended the War with the British:
<In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent Prince George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith,...and of the United States of America, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences....Done at Paris, this third day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.
D. Hartley
John Adams
B. Franklin
John Jay.> 1745JJ003
In the Court Opinion of Chisholm v. Georgia, (2U.S. 419, 1793; Justia & Oyez), John Jay wrote:
<The people are the sovereign of this country, and consequently - the people have reason to prize and rejoice in such valuable privileges, and they ought not to forget that nothing but the free course of constitutional law and government can ensure the continuance and enjoyment of them.> 1745JJ203
John Jay was Secretary of Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation; U.S. Minister to Spain; and, in 1794, authored the Jay Treaty which prevented the United States from getting involved in the war between France and England. On April 15, 1794, John Jay wrote to his wife, Sally, from England:
<If it should please God to make me an instrument to the continuation of peace, and in preventing the effusion of blood and other evils and miseries incident to war, we shall both have reason to rejoice. Whatever may be the event, the endeavour will be virtuous, and consequently consolatory. Let us repose unlimited trust in our Maker; it is our business to adore and to obey.> 1745JJ004
On May 28, 1802, John Jay wrote to his children after his wife Sally's death:
<Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?...Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed....Death is swallowed up in victory. (I Corinthians 15)> 1745JJ005
In a letter to John Bristed, April 23, 1811, John Jay recounted a conversation he had with several atheists:
<I was at a large party, of which were several of that description. They spoke freely and contemptuously of religion. I took no part in the conversation. In the course of it, one of them asked me if I believed in Christ. I answered that I did, and that I thanked God that I did.
He [an atheist] was a sedate, decent man. I frequently observed him drawing the conversation towards religion, and I constantly gave it another direction. He, nevertheless, during one of his visits, very abruptly remarked that there was no God, and he hoped the time would come when there would be no religion in the world.
I very concisely remarked that if there was no God there could be no moral obligations, and I did not see how society could subsist without them.> 1745JJ006
On January 1, 1813, John Jay penned a letter to Jedediah Morse regarding voting:
<Whether our Religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received, either from the clergy or the laity.
It appears to me that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his attachments to Ahab ('Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord?' 2 Chron. 19:2) affords a salutary lesson....
Although the mere expediency of public measures may not be a proper subject for the pulpit, yet, in my opinion, it is the right and duty of our pastors to press the observance of all moral and religious duties, and to animadvert on every course of conduct which may be repugnant to them....> 1745JJ007
In a letter addressed to Pennsylvania House of Representatives member John Murray, October 12, 1816, John Jay wrote:
<Real Christians will abstain from violating the rights of others, and therefore will not provoke war. Almost all nations have peace or war at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect, and who are not always wise or virtuous. Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest, of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.> 1745JJ008
On April 15, 1818, John Jay wrote to his Quaker friend, John Murry:
<[Natural Laws and Morality are] given by the Sovereign of the Universe to all mankind....Being founded by infinite wisdom and goodness on essential right, which never varies, it can require no amendment or alteration.
It is true that the law was given to Moses, not however in his individual or private capacity, but as the agent or instrument, and by the authority of the Almighty. The law demanded exact obedience, and proclaimed: "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." The law was inexorable, and by requiring perfect obedience, under a penalty so inevitable and dreadful, operated as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ for mercy.
Legal punishments are adjusted and inflicted by the law and magistrate, and not by unauthorized individuals. These and all other positive laws or ordinances established by Divine direction, must of necessity be consistent with the moral law. It certainly was not the design of the law or ordinance in question, to encourage a spirit of personal or private revenge. On the contrary, there are express injunctions in the law of Moses which inculcate a very different spirit.> 1745JJ009
In addition to being appointed by President George Washington as the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Jay was also elected the first vice-president the American Bible Society in 1816. In 1818, he became the president of the Westchester Bible Society in 1818.
In 1821, John Jay, after initially declining due to poor health, he decided to accept the position as the second president of the American Bible Society. He wrote from Bedford, West Chester Co., New Jersey, December 17, 1821, to Rev. S. S. Woodhull:
<I have received by the last mail your obliging Letter of the 7th Inst. informing me that the Board of Managers had unanimously elected me to succeed the late worthy President of the American Bible Society. Those Gentlemen have thereby done me Honour, and I thank them for it.
The circumstances under which the British and Foreign Bible Society arose, and extended its benign Influence to distant countries; and the subsequent spontaneous formation of numerous similar Societies in other nations, are events so singular, and so little to have been expected, as to afford reason to ascribe them to a more efficient cause, than any of those from which mere human Institutions usually result.
They who regard these Societies as deriving their origin and success from the author and Giver of the Gospel, cannot forbear concluding it to be the duty of Christians, to promote the purposes for which they have been established; and that it is particularly incumbent on their officers to be diligent in the business committed to them.> 1745JJ020.
On May 13, 1824, while serving as its president, John Jay gave an address to the American Bible Society:
<By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.
The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.> 1745JJ010
John Jay stated:
<In forming and settling my belief relative to the doctrines of Christianity, I adopted no articles from creeds but such only as, on careful examination, I found to be confirmed by the Bible....At a party in Paris, once, the question fell on religious matters. In the course of it, one of them asked me if I believed in Christ? I answered that I did, and that I thanked God that I did.> 1745JJ011
John Jay's comments on Scripture reflect a life of intense study, which can be seen, not only in his early upbringing, but also in his admission to King's College in New York at the age of fourteen, the requirements of which included translating the first ten chapters of the Gospel of John from Greek into Latin.
John Jay gave his understanding of God:
<God is great, and therefore He will be sought: He is good, and therefore He will be found. If in the day of sorrow we own God's presence in the cloud, we shall find Him also in the pillar of fire, brightening and cheering our way as the night comes on.
In all His dispensations God is at work for our good,-In prosperity He tries our gratitude; in mediocrity, our contentment; in misfortune, our submission; in darkness, our faith; under temptation, our steadfastness, and at all times, our obedience and trust in Him.
God governs the world, and we have only to do our duty wisely, and leave the issue to Him.> 1745JJ013
In 1826, John Jay was sent a letter from the Corporation of the City of New York, asking him to join with them in the celebration of America's fiftieth anniversary. John Jay replied, expressing his:
<Earnest hope that the peace, happiness, and prosperity enjoyed by our beloved country may induce those who direct her national counsels to recommend a general and public return of praise to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend.> 1745JJ014
In his address to the Committee of the Corporation of the City of New York, June 29, 1826, at eighty years of age, John Jay stated:
<The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is, always to remember with reverence and gratitude the Source from which they flow.> 1745JJ015
In his Last Will and Testament, John Jay wrote:
<Unto Him who is the Author and Giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His merciful and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by his beloved Son.
He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children.
His protection has accompanied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; and his providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation, but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful.
Blessed be His Holy Name. While my children lament my departure, let them recollect that in doing them good, I was only the agent of their Heavenly Father, and that He never withdraws His care and consolations from those who diligently seek Him.> 1745JJ016
On May 17, 1829, John Jay was drawing near death after a life of serving his country. As recorded by his son, Judge William Jay, John Jay was asked if he had any words for his children, to which he responded:
<They have the Book.> 1745JJ017 John Jay is recorded as having stated:
<I would have my funeral decent, but not ostentatious, no scarfs, no ring. Instead thereof, I give $200 to any one poor deserving widow or orphan of this town whom by children shall select.> 1745JJ018
John Jay's son, William Jay, who wrote his father's biography, described him as:
<A rare but interesting picture of the Christian patriot and statesman.> 1745JJ019
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1745JJ001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, December 23, 1776, in an address before the New York Convention. William Jay, Life of John Jay, with Selections from His Correspondence, 2 vols. (NY: Harper, 1833), Vol. I, pp. 55-56. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), pp. 166-167. John Jay. Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles, "The Providential Perspective" (Charlottesville, VA: The Providence Foundation, P.O. Box 6759, Charlottesville, Va. 22906, January 1994), Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 8.
1745JJ002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, 1777, in a charge to the Grand Jury of Ulster County, New York. John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. I, p. 161. Norman Cousins, In God We Trust-The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers (NY: Harper & Brothers, 1958), p. 361.
1745JJ021. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, September 13, 1779, Journals of the Continental, writing from Philadelphia. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 1 (1763-1781).
1745JJ003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, September 3, 1783, signed the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War with Great Britain; ratified by Congress January 14, 1784, under the Articles of Confederation. William M. Malloy, compiler, Treaties, Conventions, International Acts, Protocols and Agreements between the United States of America and Other Powers, 1776-1909, 4 vols. (New York: Greenwood Press, 1910, 1968), 2:1786. Charles W. Eliot, LL.D., ed., American Historical Documents 1000-1904 (New York: P.F. Collier & Son Company, The Harvard Classics, 1910), Vol. 43, pp. 185-191. Gary DeMar, America's Christian History: The Untold Story (Atlanta, GA: American Vision Publishers, Inc., 1993), p. 84. W. Cleon Skousen, The Making of America (Washington: The National Center for Constitutional Studies, 1985), 139. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), p. 115.
1745JJ203. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, 1793, Court Opinion of Chisholm v. Georgia, (2 U. S. 419, 1793; Justia & Oyez).
1745JJ004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, April 15, 1794, in a letter to Sally Jay. William Jay, Life of John Jay, with Selections from His Correspondence, 2 vols. (NY: Harper, 1833), Vol. I, p. 311. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 167.
1745JJ005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, May 28, 1802, to his children after his wife's death. Frank Monaghan, John Jay: Defender of Liberty (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1935, 1972), p. 428. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 171. Peter Marshall & David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, 1991), 5.28.
1745JJ006. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, April 23, 1811, in a letter to John Bristed. Norman Cousins, In God We Trust-The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers (NY: Harper & Brothers, 1958), pp. 364-365.
1745JJ007. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, January 1, 1813, in a letter to Jedediah Morse. John Jay, The Correspondence and Private Papers of John Jay, 1794-1826, Henry P. Johnson, ed., (NY: G.P. Putman's Sons, 1890-96, reprinted NY: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 365. Norman Cousins, In God We Trust-The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers (NY: Harper & Brothers, 1958), pp. 363-64. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 172.
1745JJ008. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, October 12, 1816, in a statement. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: G.P Putnam & Sons, 1890, 1893, Vol. 4, p. 365; reprinted NY: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393. Benjamin Franklin Morris, Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States (Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1864), p. 154. William Jay, The Life of John Jay: With Selections from His Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers (New York: J. & J. Harper, 1833), p. 376. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 11.5. D.P. Diffine, Ph.D., One Nation Under God-How Close a Separation? (Searcy, Arkansas: Harding University, Belden Center for Private Enterprise Education, 6th edition, 1992), p. 8.
1745JJ009. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, April 15, 1818, in a letter to John Murry. Norman Cousins, In God We Trust-The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers (NY: Harper & Brothers, 1958), pp. 365-373. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution- The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), pp. 172-174.
1745JJ020. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay. December 17, 1821, writing from Bedford, West Chester Co., New Jersey, to Rev. S. S. Woodhull.
1745JJ010. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, May 13, 1824, in an address to the American Bible Society. Norman Cousins, In God We Trust-The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers (NY: Harper & Brothers, 1958), p. 379. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 251. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and the Constitution (MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 170. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 5.13.
1745JJ011. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, Statement. George Pellew, American Statesman Series, p. 360. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, OR: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 251.
1745JJ013. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay. Frank Monaghan, John Jay: Defender of Liberty (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1935, 1972), p. 26. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and the Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, A Mott Media Book, 1987, 6th printing 1993), p. 22. Tryon Edwards, D.D., The New Dictionary of Thoughts-A Cyclopedia of Quotations (Garden City, NY: Hanover House, 1852; revised and enlarged by C.H. Catrevas, Ralph Emerson Browns and Jonathan Edwards [descendent, along with Tryon, of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), president of Princeton], 1891; The Standard Book Company, 1955, 1963), p. 220.
1745JJ014. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, 1826, in a reply to the corporation of the City of New York, regarding the 50th Anniversary of the United States. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 249.
1745JJ015. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, June 29, 1826, in an address to Committee for the Corporation of the City of New York. William Jay, Life of John Jay, with Selections from His Correspondence, 2 vols. (NY: Harper, 1833), Vol. I, p. 457-58. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 178.
1745JJ016. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, in his Last Will and Testament. William Jay, The Life of John Jay with Selections from His Correspondence, 3 vols. (New York: Harper, 1833), Vol. I, pp. 519- 520. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 168. M.E. Bradford, Religion & The Framers: The Biographical Evidence (Marlborough, NH: Plymouth Rock Foundation, 1991), p. 5.
1745JJ017. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, May 17, 1829, in a statement to his children. William Jay, Life of John Jay, with Selections from His Correspondence, 2 vols. (NY: Harper, 1833), Vol. I, p. 548. Benjamin Franklin Morris, The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States (Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1864), pp. 154-155. Frank Monaghan, John Jay: Defender of Liberty (Indianapolis: Bobbs- Merrill Co., 1935, 1972), p. 435. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 170. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 249. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 5.19. Ronald W. Reagan, in his 8th Message for National Bible Week (Freethought Today, Nov. 1988).
1745JJ018. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay, May 17, 1829. Jonathan Green, Famous Last Words (Garden City: Doubleday, 1961), p. 123.
1745JJ019. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Jay. William Jay, Life of John Jay, with Selections from His Correspondence, 2 vols. (NY: Harper, 1833), Vol. I, p. 463. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and The Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), p. 163.