FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: John Jay on the Truth of Christianity
(QUICK READ) — John Jay was the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court established by the Constitution that he, with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, co-authored “The Federalist Papers” under the pseudonym of “Publius.”
John Jay, first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The three authors chose that name because the historical Publius — Publius Valerius Publicola — was one of the founders of the Roman Republic.
Publius was a firm advocate of greater equality within the polity among wealthy patricians and the middle and lower class plebians.
Jay left no doubt about where he stood with regard to the truth or utility of the Christian faith, as is well-illustrated in the following quote taken from his letter to Uzal Ogden on Valentine’s Day, 1796.
Valentine’s Day, incidentally, did not become the intensely commercialized holiday that we know today until years after Jay died.
“I have long been of opinion that the Evidence of the Truth of Christianity requires only to be carefully examined to produce conviction in candid minds.” Jay’s officials papers are kept in the Columbia University Library.
On another occasion, Jay described being asked about his faith: “One of them asked me if I believed in Christ. I answered that I did, and that I thanked God that I did. Nothing further passed between me and them or any of them on that subject.”
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).