Their statements and writings clearly show that they expected basic Biblical principles to remain integral to American Life. They forcible opposed any separation of such principles or values from society or public affairs. They knew that religious principles provided morality and self control — the lifeblood for any self-governing community.[48]

From a letter that John Adams wrote his wife Abigail on the day they approved the Declaration of Independence: "I am apt to believe that [this day] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the 'Day of Deliverance' by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty!"[13]

Patrick Henry (Served in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776 and worked successfully to have first 10 amendments added to the US Constitution) stated: "Whether this [new government] 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 [Proverbs 14:34]. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this, and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself and encourage it in others."[41]

Fisher Ames: (A Founding Father who, according the congressional records on 9/20/1789, offered the final wording of the first amendment) wrote in an article written for a national magazine in 1801 expressing concern that as more and more textbooks were being introduced into the school classrooms, that the Bible might someday drift to the back of the classroom. "Why then, if these new books for children must be retained as they will be, why should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a school book?" Clearly the use of the Bible in schools did not violate his view of the first amendment.[48]

Noah Webster (Founding Father, an educator, a solider during the Revolution, a legislator in Connecticut and Massachusetts, a judge and the man responsible for article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution) writing in a textbook he authored for students, he identified the reasons that serious social problems might befall America. "All the miseries and evils that men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible."[48]

In his first Inaugural Address, President Washington (President of the convention which framed the constitution, President of the United States who called for and oversaw the formation and the ratification of the Bill of Rights including the first amendment) stated, "It would be improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being.... No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than people of the United States.... We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained." The Inaugural Ceremony concluded with a church service at Saint Paul's Chapel, led by the chaplains of Congress.[35]

George Washington's Farewell Address was printed as a separate text book for over a century because of its singular importance. Students were taught it was the most significant political speech ever delivered by an American President. Virtually unknown today, it has not been seen in most American History book for more than four decades. Clearly he understood the constitutional intent and the meaning of the first amendment. "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars . . .Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. . . .Where is the security for life, for reputation, for property if the sense for religious obligation desert?"[48]

Robert Winthorp, an early Speaker of the House of Representatives: "Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or a power without them. Either by the Word of God or the strong arm of man, either by the Bible or the bayonet."[48]

Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration and member of Continental Congress: "Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure, which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." — The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry by Bernard C. Steiner 1907, from a letter from Charles Carroll, Nov. 4, 1800.[5]

Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration, member of Continental Congress, founder of 5 universities: "The only foundation for … a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments." America's God and Country, William Federer, p.543[5]

John Witherspoon, signer of The Declaration of Independence: "He is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who set himself with the greatest firmness to bear down on profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy to his country." - speech at the College of New Jersey (Princeton) , May 17,1776, America's God and Country, William Federer, pp. 703-704[5]

"The first national government of the United States, was convinced that the 'public prosperity' of a society depended on the vitality of its religion. Nothing less than a 'spirit of universal reformation among all ranks and degrees of our citizens,' Congress declared to the American people, would "make us a holy, that so we may be a happy people."[16]

Repeatedly in early congressional records, the Bible was used as the premise for discussions and law making as illustrated from this excerpt from the Congressional Record of September 25, 1789 asking President Washington to declare the first National Thanksgiving holiday. "Mr. [Elias] Boudinot (who was the President of Congress during the American Revolution) said he could not think of letting the congressional session pass over without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. With this view, therefore, he would move the following resolution: Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God . . . Mr. [Roger] Sherman (a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) justified the practice of thanksgiving on any signal event not only as a laudable one in itself, but as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ . . . This example he thought worthy of a Christian imitation on the present occasion; and he would agree with the gentleman who moved the resolution . . . The question was put on the resolution and it was carried in the affirmative."[48]