FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Youngest Declaration Signer Praised Gospel of Jesus
(QUICK READ) — Edward Rutledge of South Carolina was the youngest of the 56 men who put their names on the Declaration of Independence, then “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
South Carolina’s Edward Rutledge, youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Although he was initially opposed to the 13 colonies declaring independence, he subsequently changed his mind and became very visible in being among the leading men of the revolutionary cause. He became so visible during the Revolutionary War that he was captured and held by the British for a time.
But instead of being hung as a traitor, Rutledge was released and went on to serve as Governor of South Carolina from 1798 to 1800. He had previously served in the South Carolina state legislature from 1783 to 1798. As he indicates in the following quote, Rutledge and Virginia’s firebrand, Patrick Henry, were longtime friends and fellow believers in Christianity.
“I find that I agree fully with my good friend Patrick Henry when he said it cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Edward Rutledge, 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).