American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Adoniram Judson (August 9, 1788-April 12, 1850) was the first American foreign missionary. He helped establish the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, translated the Bible in the language of Burma (1840), and compiled the Burmese-English Dictionary (1849). The conversion of Adoniram Judson is recounted: <Adoniram was born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1788. His father was a Congregationalist pastor. At age sixteen, Adoniram entered Providence College (renamed Brown University shortly after he began his studies). Here he met a young infidel named Jacob Eames. Both he and Adoniram were of quick wit, had a flair for the dramatic, and...

North Carolina Convention (July 30, 1788) during the debates to ratify the Federal Constitution, Governor Samuel Johnston stated: <I know but two or three States where there is the least chance of establishing any particular religion. The people of Massachusetts and Connecticut are mostly Presbyterians. In every other State, the people are divided into a great number of sects. In Rhode Island, the tenets of the Baptists, I believe, prevail. In New York, they are divided very much; the most numerous are the Episcopalians and the Baptists. In New Jersey, they are as much divided as we are. In Pennsylvania,...

New York (July 26, 1788) was the 11th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of New York, adopted 1777, stated: <Article XXXVIII. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever hereafter be allowed, within this State, to all mankind: Provided, that the liberty of conscience, hereby granted, shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness.> 1788NY001 On March 29, 1799, the State of New York, in the twenty-second session, second meeting of the legislature, passed an Act which abolished slavery within the State. The Constitution...

Virginia (June 25, 1788) was the 10th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of Virginia, ratified June 12, 1776, stated: <Bill of Rights, Article XVI. That Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator, and the Manner of discharging it, can be directed only by Reason and Convictions, not by Force or Violence; and therefore all Men are equally entitled to the free exercise of Religion, according to the Dictates of Conscience; and that it is the mutual Duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love, and Charity towards each other.> 1788VA001 -- American Quotations...

New Hampshire (June 21, 1788) was the 9th State admitted to the Union, completing the ratification of the United States Constitution. The Constitution of the State of New Hampshire, adopted 1776, stated: <That morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles would give the best and greatest security to government, and would lay in the hearts of men the strongest obligation to due subjection; and that the knowledge of these was most likely to be propagated by the institution of the public worship of the Deity and instruction in morality and religion.> 1788NH001 In 1792, the legislature of the State...