Their Last Words
There has been much controversy lately over when, how, and by whom this nation was founded. We know the Lord sent believers to our shores to establish His will and plan here. The fact that rewriting America’s history is so important to the Left is telling. Their determination to see God’s influence - and the destiny He gave us - erased from our past, should be enough to warn us. Satan is behind this revision because he knows that roots - especially covenantal roots - matter greatly. In my book An Appeal to Heaven, I write about the synergy of the ages explaining the power of connecting with righteous people and events from the past. The word “patriot” actually comes from the Greek word pater meaning “father.” Patriotism is connecting to and embracing the inheritance we have from our fathers. In nature, if there is no root, there is no fruit. The same is true spiritually. We must NEVER allow America’s godly roots to be stolen - they hold within them our calling.
Stephen McDowell, the founder of the Providence Foundation is one who has studied America’s historical connection to God. Please go to his website and see the support he has compiled to back up the facts - the roots of America are indeed Christian. One of the things McDowell has looked at are statements several of our Founders made in their Last Will and Testament. This is a very interesting and compelling source. The words these Founders wanted their posterity to remember them by leave no doubt that they were mature Christians.
Here are some of the quotes he includes:
“John Smith, leader in early Virginia, stated in his will: ‘First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker, hoping through the merits of Christ Jesus my Redeemer, to receive full remission of all my sins, and to inherit a place in the everlasting kingdom.’
“Mary, the mother of George Washington, stated in her will: ‘I, Mary Washington, . . . do make and publish this, my last will, recommending my soul in the hands of my Creator, hoping for a remission of all my sins through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind.’”1
“Samuel Adams (1722-1803) Signer of the Declaration, Father of the Revolution, Governor of Massachusetts: ‘Principally & first of all, I commend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.’”2
“Richard Stockton (1731-1781) Signer of the Declaration, New Jersey: ‘And as my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument, and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian Religion, such as the Being of God...the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Saviour, the necessity of the operations of the divine Spirit; of divine Faith, accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the divine Providence: but also...to exhort and charge them, that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system, is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state...’
“Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Orator of the Revolution, First Continental Congress, Governor Virginia [after apportioning his possessions]: ‘This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one [an inheritance] which will make them rich indeed.’”3
“John Dickinson (1732-1808), Signer of the Constitution, Revolutionary General, from Delaware: ‘Rendering Thanks to my Creator for my Existence and Station among his works, for my Birth in a Country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying Freedom, and for all his other Kindnesses, to him I resign Myself, humbly confiding in his Goodness, and in his Mercy through Jesus Christ, for the Events of Eternity.’”4
And consider this amazing statement by our first Supreme Court Chief Justice:
“John Jay (1745-1829) Member of First and other Continental Congresses, First Supreme Court Chief Justice, author of The Federalist, New York: ‘Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has accompanied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; and His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation, but also given me abundant reason to be content and thankful. Blessed be his holy name. While my children lament my departure, let them recollect that in doing them good, I was only the agent of their Heavenly Father, and that He never withdraws His care and consolations from those who diligently seek Him.’”5
“George Mason (1725-1792) Constitutional Convention, Father of the Bill of Rights, Virginia: ‘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.’”6
There are many more examples in McDowell’s full document, which I encourage you to read in its entirety. Those establishing America and its government knew Who was leading them to do so and they served Him well until the end. We should be forever grateful and must never allow the world to forget or rewrite American history.
“I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.” (Psalm 77:11-12 NKJV)
Pray with me:
Father, thank You for raising up this nation as a beacon, as a light, a city on a hill. Thank You for the revelation of truth. May we always search it out. You founded America and You are still moving here. You will show Yourself strong over her. You will help us find the way to secure our heritage. We will not allow it to be forgotten, nor will we allow You to be removed from our history or our laws. You are our heritage.
We know, Father, that You are coming to heal and restore this nation, even at a cultural level. You can heal the wounds of our past and make us the great harvesting machine we were called to be. Billions of souls are coming into the Kingdom, nations will be transformed, and curses will be broken. You will use America for these things, just as You said You would at our beginning. We are thankful for Your continuing love and commitment to America, Father. Amen.
Today’s decree:
We will not allow America’s godly heritage to be stolen. America was largely founded by true Christians and no one can hide or remove this well-documented fact from us.
Learn more about Stephen McDowell and books he has authored here.
Learn more about the Providence Foundation and their available resources here.
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1 Compiled by McDowell, Stephen. “The Last Will and Testaments of the Founders Reveal Their Christian Faith”. Charlottesville, VA: Providence Foundation, August 17, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2021. [https://providencefoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wills-of-Founders.pdf]
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
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