The Founding Fathers – John Jay

How important is it to understand the character of the Founding Fathers and their influence on the formation of the United States of America? Few people would disagree with the notion that the USA is, or at least was, one of the greatest nations on the face of the earth. Within a relatively short amount of time (23 decades or so) we have grown in strength and influence to be the premier power on the earth today, yet there are some significant challenges. Many times people complain about ‘the way things are going’ in this country. Some people think that it’s because we are too rigid in our thinking and laws. Others think we are far too lenient in what is – and is not – defined as illegal activity. The unfortunate truth, however, is that the great majority of citizens in the United States don’t know what to think about the direction we as a nation are headed in. The alternative problem is that even if they do know what to think about these things, they lack the drive or determination to get involved. These are dangerous and irresponsible attitudes, and we should make every effort to bring to people’s remembrance the principles and thoughts which directly led to the founding of this country. Only by understanding our past can we gain an appreciation for where we stand now, in relation to the ideals and principles which prompted the formation of America.

The underlying motivation by the Founding Fathers for the formation of our government and the laws of this country was a desire to maintain adherence to Christian thought and influence. Some reject this idea (the mythical ‘separation of church and state’), but that rejection doesn’t make sense when we consider the actual writings and opinions of those who were involved. The overwhelming majority of the men who worked toward the building of that new country (as well as all the individual state governments) were either Christians or deists. This is brought out time and again by their many references to Scripture, and even by the inclusion of Scripture into the wording of various government documents and buildings. These men made it a point to give credit where credit was due and that credit was given to God and, in many instances, His Son Jesus Christ. John Jay was just such a man.

John Jay was born Dec 12, 1745 in New Your City, and died May 17, 1829. He went to school at King’s College (Columbia University) and continued in his study of law under the tutelage of Benjamin Kissam. He attended the first Continental Congress and was President of the Third Continental Congress, helped in the formation of the New York Constitution and also served as that state’s first Chief Justice. He was involved in international negotiations and treaty formations and was appointed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He was also appointed to be Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court by George Washington, and went on to be elected Governor of New York. During his tenure in that position he worked for the abolition of slavery, strove to increase the economic infrastructure of the state and addressed many political and judicial reforms. As one of the Founding Fathers and because of his involvement in so many aspects of American law, he should be considered a ‘heavy hitter’ when it comes to the inclusion of his sentiments into the establishment of the intents and laws of this country. When it comes to what we do or do not think is appropriate regarding the laws of this country, we have a great source of experience and wisdom in the person of John Jay. I also find it fascinating that the quote included in this post is so relevant and timely today! It is completely appropriate, acceptable and encouraged for us to return to the very principles and sentiments which made this country one of the greatest governments among men.

“Under the auspices and direction of Divine Providence, your forefathers removed to the wilds and wilderness of America. By their industry they made it a fruitful, and by their virtue a happy country. And we should still have enjoyed the blessings of peace and plenty, if we had not forgotten the source from which those blessings flowed; and permitted our country to be contaminated by the many shameful vices which have prevailed among us.” *

*John Jay, Address of the Convention of New York, 1776, Johnston, Correspondence of Jay, 1:101.