Samuel
Adams
1722-1803
— A
leader in the Boston Tea Party and Sons of Liberty . . . Has been called "The
Father of the American Revolution" . . . One of the most voluminous and influential
political writers of his time . . . Delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-1781)
. . . Signer of the Declaration of Independence . . . One of the individuals responsible
for the movement that led to the drafting and adopting of the Bill of Rights .
. . Lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts (1789-1794), and governor (1794-1797).
Excerpt
from a letter to his cousin John Adams, Oct. 4, 1790, (America's God and Country,
William Federer, p.23)
"Let …
statesmen and patriots unite in their endeavors to renovate the age by … educating
their little boys and girls . . . and leading them in the study and practice of
the exalted virtues of the Christian system."[43]
Excerpt
from his 1795 proclamation calling for for prayer, fasting and thanksgiving:
“. . . That the peaceful and glorious being of our Divine Redeemer may be
known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind."[10]
Excerpt
from his 1797 proclamation:
“ . . . Speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the Kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established and all the
people willing bow to the scepter of him who is the Prince of Peace.”[10]
"A general dissolution of Principles and Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of America than the whole Force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader . . . If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security."[13]
From
his will:
"First of all, I . . . rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon
of all my sins."[9]