Jack Brown: The making of America – the teaching of Jesus was the foundation

The American colonists came from Europe to our country as Christians seeking religious freedom. Their Christian faith “affected and determined the character of America’s civil institutions and the course of America’s social progress” (words of Bishop Charles B. Galloway, 1849-1909, respected leader of American Methodism).

Since most of us are Georgians, either by birth or by adoption, we should note the preamble of the Georgia State Constitution of 1777: “We the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this constitution.” 

Additionally, the charter of the University of Georgia, granted in 1785, states: ”All officers appointed to the instruction and government of the university shall be of the Christian religion.”

America rests upon the foundation of the teachings of Jesus Christ, and His teachings are the perfect solution to all the problems we now face. 

His teachings give guidance as to how we ought to live as members of society and as citizens of America.

America was founded as a Christian nation, and it is the responsibility of Christian throughout our land to promote and defend the teachings of Jesus Christ and to do so unashamedly.

Reverend John Harvard was the founder of America’s first institution of higher education, Harvard College, in 1636. He was a minister of the Congregational Church. 

Other early institutions of higher education had Christian beginnings.

Here is a short listing of those Ivy League Colleges, later becoming universities:

– Harvard, founded in 1636 by Congregationalists (MA)

– William and Mary, founded in 1693 by Episcopalians (VA)

– Yale, founded in 1700 by Congregationalists (CT)

– Princeton, founded in 1746 by Presbyterians (NJ)

– Columbia, founded in 1759 by Episcopalians (NY)

– Brown, founded in 1764 by Baptist (RI)

– Rutgers, founded in 1770 by Dutch Reformed (NJ)

– Dartmouth, founded in 1770 by Congregationalists (NH)

– Hampton-Sidney, founded in 1775 by Presbyterians (VA)

For many years almost every professor’s chair in these early American colleges was filled by a minister of the Christian faith.

America has a Christian heritage founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ … est we forget.

Peace!