FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Thomas Jefferson on the God Who Gave Us Life, Liberty
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States (Screenshot from YouTube).
(QUICK READ) — “A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate. … The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them.” – Thomas Jefferson. Cited by Mark Strand.
Many of the quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” weekly series of posts are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.
Quotations are also compiled from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to all congressional aides, be they working on Capitol Hill or in a state or district office back home.
Mark was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).