FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Alexander Hamilton Examined the Evidence for Christianity and Believed
(QUICK READ) — Alexander Hamilton was born as an illegitimate child on the Caribbean island of Nevis. His father was James Hamilton, a Scots merchant, and his mother was Rachel Faucett Lavien, who was an English-French Huguenot. Abandoned by his father, Hamilton was raised by his mother.
Hamilton’s origins did not prevent his rise through the ranks of the American colonial army during the Revolutionary War under George Washington, and then to the Secretary of the Treasury under Washington.
Hamilton also played a crucial role with James Madison and John Jay as authors of The Federalist Papers, a series of extremely significant newspaper essays designed to explain the new Constitution proposed in 1787 and to influence the states to adopt the new document.
Hamilton was a man of deep Christian faith, as evidenced in this quote in which he explained why his examination of the evidence for the truth of it led him to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior:
“I have examined carefully,” [Hamilton] said to a friend from his boyhood, “the evidence of the Christian religion; and, if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity, I should unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor.” To another person, he observed, “I have studied it, and I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man.” — Attributed to Alexander Hamilton by his son John Church Hamilton in “History of the Republic of the United States of America: as traced in the writings of Alexander Hamilton and of his contemporaries.” Cited by Mark Strand.
Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States of America.
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).