FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: George Mason’s Last Will and Testament
(QUICK READ) — Virginia’s George Mason was not among the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but he was very much present in the proceedings and thinking that produced it, thanks to his Virginia Declaration of Rights.
George Mason from the Boudet copy of the Hesselius original.(American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati).
But Mason’s greatest contribution to the founding era of America was his insistence to James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington that the then-proposed Constitution had to include a Bill of Rights to guarantee basic individual freedoms.
Mason and Baptist leaders in Virginia and North Carolina formed the nucleus of the First Amendment movement that resulted in Madison drafting and proposing in the First Congress under the Constitution in what we know today as our Bill of Rights.
Here’s how Mason understood his eternal destiny when he wrote his last will and testament:
“My soul I resign into the hands of my Almighty Creator, whose tender mercies are all over His works, who hateth nothing that He hath made, and to the justice and wisdom of whose dispensations I willingly and cheerfully submit, humbly hoping from His unbounded mercy and benevolence, through the merits of my blessed Savior, a remission of my sins.” – George Mason, Will of George Mason, attested March 20, 1773, Cited by Mark Strand.
Quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” 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 Hill aides.
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).
PREVIOUSLY ON FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS:
George Washington on God’s Chosen People
James Otis on God Made All Men Naturally Free
President James Madison’s 1815 Proclamation