Remembering the Great Presidents

Once upon a time, the US honored the presidency of two great Americans - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln - by making the days of their births a national holiday. Conincidentally, their birthdays fell near each other and so, for the sake of economy, we forwent two holidays and combined them into one holiday called, President's Day. As we reflect on these great men, one might ask what made them so great. I suggest that much of their character was shaped by their Christian faith.

Today, many people hold as sacred a bizarre notion there should be a “separation of church and state.” Such a idea seems to have been alien to the great Presidents of the past. They often spoke openly and boldy about their faith.

Concerning the Bible, I would direct you to this quote made by Lincoln:

“In regards to this great Book (the Bible), I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are found portrayed in it.”

However, in terms of Christian advocacy, Lincoln's quote (correct though it may be) pales when compared to the following quote Washington made in his first inaugrual address:

“Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.”

How sad it is that the current President, while pandering... I mean, “while speaking,” to a group of Muslim nation leaders, would firmly disavow that America is a Christian nation. I would remind President Obama of Washington's stern warning made in his farewell address:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

Happy President's Day. God bless America!!