#VeteransDay In 1917, at the request of the New York Bible Society, former President #TheodoreRoosevelt wrote a message, applying Micah 6:8 to a soldier's mission, that was inserted into pocket New Testaments given to World War I soldiers & sailors. | Theodore Roosevelt Center Theodore Roosevelt Association

“The Ten Commandments and The Sermon on the Mount contain my Religion.” John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, November 4, 1816. #JohnAdams #AdamsPapers #Bible Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-17 Sermon on the Mount: Gospel According to Matthew, chapters 5-7

8 Nov. 1777: Having “received authenticated Intelligence that General Burgoyne, and the whole Army under his Command,” had surrendered to General GATES at Saratoga in Oct., Gov. Richard Caswell of North Carolina signed a proclamation for “a Day of GENERAL & SOLEMN THANKSGIVING.”

“To the End therefore that we may not presumptuously attribute the late signal Successes gained over our Enemies to our own Strength, and thereby forget the Interposition of Divine Providence in our Behalf,” Gov. Richard Caswell appointed “a Day of GENERAL & SOLEMN THANKSGIVING.”

Lest we “forget the Interposition of Divine Providence in our Behalf, whose Assistance we have experienced, and more especially in this Particular, wherein the Goodness of GOD has been so visibly demonstrated,” N.C. Gov. Caswell issued a #ThanksgivingProclamation, Nov. 8, 1777.

“…as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to him…” Art. XXXIII, Maryland DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, drafted and passed by the Convention called to frame Maryland’s first constitution, which adjourned on November 11, 1776. 🧵👇

11 November 1779: Governor #ThomasJefferson of Virginia, architect of the “wall of separation between Church & State,” issued a religious proclamation appointing “a day of publick and solemn thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God.” #WallOfSeparation #ThanksgivingProclamation

“All that the best Men can do is to persevere in doing their Duty to their Country, and leave the Consequences to him who made it their Duty; being neither elated by Success however great nor discouraged by Disappointments however frequent or mortifying.” John Jay, 27 Sept. 1785.

There was a time when Americans thought of the “Hebrew #Bible…as not just a source of laws but a guide to political morality, with distinct principles of justice. Americans adopted those principles just as they adopted English #CommonLaw.” Washington Free Beacon share.google/cTE4ZaUr81mvSd…

1 Nov. 1787: Universal experience confirms that “[t]hose who have governed have been found in all ages ever active to enlarge their powers and abridge the public liberty. This has induced the people ... to fix barriers against the encroachments of their rulers.” Brutus, Essay II.

2 November 1778: pray that GOD “would pour out his Spirit on all Orders of Men in our Land, bring us to a general Repentance and Reformation, and when His Judgments are abroad among us, make us learn Righteousness, and practise every Christian Virtue.…” Connecticut PROCLAMATION.

4 November 1775: “We may look up to Armies for our Defence, but Virtue is our best Security. It is not possible that any State sh[oul]d long remain free, where Virtue is not supremely honor[e]d.” Samuel Adams to James Warren (president of Massachusetts Provincial Congress).

5 November 1775: “...a true patriot must be a religious Man. I have been led to think ... that he who neglects his duty to his Maker, may well be expected to be deficient and insincere in his duty towards the public.” Abigail Adams to John Adams. #AbigailAdams

5 Nov. 1775: “It seems Humane Nature is the same in all ages and Countrys. Ambition and avarice reign every where and where they predominate their will be bickerings after places of Honour and profit.” Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams. #HumanNature #AbigailAdams

7 Nov. 1787: “...when a people or family so divide, it never fails to be against themselves.” Federalist # 4, “Independent Journal.” Was Publius alluding to Jesus’s metaphor (Matt. 12:25; Mark 3:25; Luke 11:17), later used by #AbrahamLincoln in his "house divided" speech (1858)?

14 Nov. 1787: do not “forget that men are ambitious, vindictive and rapacious.” Publius (#AlexanderHamilton), reflecting on #HumanNature in #Federalist # 6, published in “Independent Journal.” Much of the essay is a reflection on the nature, passions & interests of men & nations.

14 Nov. 1793: may God “be graciously pleased to instill into our Minds the just principles of our duty to Him…; to regulate and guide all our actions by his Holy Spirit; ... and to bless and protect us in the enjoyment of Civil and Religious Liberty.” Pennsylvania Proclamation.