Author: Thomas Lee Abshier
Patrick Henry wrote on the back of The Stamp Act Resolves, passed in the House of Burgesses, May, 1765, a summary of the pivotal events preceding the Revolution. He ends with this admonition:
This brought on the war which finally separated the two countries and gave independence to ours. Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings, which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this, and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others. (signed) P. Henry
Patrick Henry boldly declared:
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. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum., prosperity, and freedom of worship here.
Patrick Henry, once interrupted while engaged in Bible reading, held up his Bible and said:
The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.
Patrick Henry wrote to his sister Ann in Kentucky, upon learning of the death of her husband, Colonel William Christian:
Would to God I could say something to give relief to the dearest of women and sisters…. My heart is full. Perhaps I may never see you in this world. 0 may we meet in heaven, to which the merits of Jesus will carry those who love and serve Him. Heaven will, I trust, give you its choicest comfort and preserve your family. Such is the prayer of him who thinks it his honor and pride to be, Your Affectionate Brother, Patrick Henry.
On November 20, 1798, in his Last Will and Testament, Patrick Henry wrote:
This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.
While Patrick Henry was dying, he spoke:
Doctor, I wish you to observe how real and beneficial the religion of Christ is to a man about to die… .I am, however, much consoled by reflecting that the religion of Christ has, from its first appearance in the world, been attacked in vain by all the wits, philosophers, and wise ones, aided by every power of man, and its triumphs have been complete.
Patrick Henry’s grandson, William Wirt Henry, described Henry as one who:
Looked to the restraining and elevating principles of Christianity as the hope of his country’s institutions.
quotes from:America’s God and Country by William J. Federer
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