John Adams

Author: Thomas Lee Abshier

On June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson, John Adams wrote:
The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could Unite… .And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in which all these Sects were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty, in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in America, in Majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her Independence. Now I will avow, that I then believe, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane System.
On October 11, 1798, President John Adams stated in his address to the military:
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
In a letter to Judge F. A. Van der Kemp, February 16, 1809, John Adams wrote:
The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation… [God ordered the Jews to preserve and propagate to all mankind the doctrine of a supreme, intelligent, wise, almighty sovereign of the universe…. [which is] to be the great essential principle of morality, and consequently all civilization.
On August 28, 1811, John Adams wrote:
Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not only of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all governments and in all the combinations of human society.
In a letter to Mr. Warren, John Adams expounded:
[This] Form of Government.. .is productive of every Thing which is great and excellent among Men. But its Principles are as easily destroyed, as human nature is corrupted. …A Government is only to be supported by pure Religion or Austere Morals. Private, and public Virtue is the only Foundation of Republics.
In another letter to Thomas Jefferson, John Adams wrote:
Have you ever found in history, one single example of a Nation thoroughly corrupted that was afterwards restored to virtue?. ..And without virtue, there can be no political liberty… .Will you tell me how to prevent riches from becoming the effects of temperance and industry? Will you tell me how to prevent luxury from producing effeminacy, intoxication, extravagance, vice and folly?…I believe no effort in favour of virtue is lost.
In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, December 25, 1813, John Adams wrote:
I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen.
In a letter dated November 4, 1816, John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson:
The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount contain my religion…
John Adams stated in his diary, July 26, 1796:
The Christian religion is, above all the Religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity, and Humanity… it is Resignation to God, it is Goodness itself to Man.
quotes from:
America’s God and Country by William J. Federer