John Adams

The following is excerpted from John Adams’ famous speech given to Congress on July 2, 1776:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America, to be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival, commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty from one end of the Continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, the blood, and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory; that the end is worth all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even though we shall rue, it, which I trust in God we shall not.

    Notice founding father John Adams’ emphasis upon devotion to Jehovah God, on Independence Day celebrations* for all succeeding generations of Americans: “…commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty from one end of the Continent to the other, from this day forward forevermore…” Take note also of his triumphal ending… “even though we shall rue it, which I trust in God we shall not.”

     The first session of Congress convened under the Articles of Confederation in Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia, September 7, 1774. Jacob Duche, first rector of Christ Church, opened the session in prayer, reading Psalm 35 in its entirety. Of it, John Adams wrote: “I have never heard a better prayer… it stirred the bosom of every man present.” This event is recorded in the Journals of Congress. These same Journals, meticulously kept by Secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson, enumerate grievances against the ruling power. The 10th article reads thus:

10.   that the late Act of Parliament for establishing the Roman Catholic Religion
        and the French Laws in that extensive country now called Quebec, is
        dangerous in an extreme degree to the Protestant Religion and to the civil
        rights and liberties of all America; and therefore as men and protestant
        Christians, we are indispensably obliged to take all proper measures for 
        our security. 

*The Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on July 2, 1776, but actually signed on July 4, 1776.