Principle #2 – A Free People Cannot Survive Under a Republican Constitution Unless They Remain Virtuous and Morally Strong.
Isaiah 59:14-15 “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.”
Here in the West we are now living in a society where we are calling good evil and evil good and so “whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.” If we speak against gay marriage or homosexuality we are called bigots, homophobes, etc. If we stand up for what is right and stand for the truth according to God’s Word we are intolerant. In other words, we are moving into a place in our society where if we are not politically correct (according to ‘the opinion makers’ in our society) then we are silenced by bullying tactics similar to what often happens with the school yard bully.
In the early days of America’s founding there were heated debates on whether the early Americans were ‘virtuous and moral’ enough to govern themselves. Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” George Washington pointed out that a nation can survive “only so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people.”
Isn’t it interesting to see how over the years the government has become more dictatorial? We are now being told more and more what we can and cannot do. Why is this? Franklin said it well: “As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
When we think of public virtue what did the founding Fathers have in mind? We associate morality with the Ten Commandments, but public virtue for the Founding Fathers was more like the Golden Rule, a public maturity that would put the good of the community first; a patriotism, or love of country.
During the forming of our country there were some great men-like John Jay, Robert Morris, Robert Livingston, and even John Dickinson – who doubted if ‘public virtue’ was prevalent enough in the populace for a republic form of government.
Thomas Paine pointed out that most of the people were honest, frugal and not influenced by what was happening in Europe – of luxury, indolence, amusement and pleasure. Also during that time many of the main news-papers wrote, or had letters, describing some of the deficiencies in the society. Through this, people became non-involved in public affairs and self-interests were becoming a driving force in their lives.
The Founding Father knew two things about virtue. First, it must be learned and earned. Secondly, virtue is not a permanent quality in human nature. It is something that has to be cultivated and exercised; virtue starts in the home and overflows into the churches and yes, into the schools. What the Founding Fathers called ‘public virtue’ is what I would call ‘character.’ We are born with a personality, but not with character. This is something that we develop as we respond to things that come upon us and at us daily. This is why the family, schools and churches are so important in helping to develop right character or public virtue.
We will not change the world by going to church, but change the world by being the church.
In his farewell address, George Washington declared: “Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education… reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.”
Today we see the homes deteriorating and marriage being redefined, babies being born out of wed-lock, babies not allowed to be born, children growing up in all kinds of environments, without fathers, without mothers at home, and we can see how “public virtue” is fast disappearing. When we go to our public schools and see political correctness being taught (among other evils) and how prayer and the Word of God have been removed and heavily frowned upon, and how the American flag is publicly trampled on with disrespect – we realize that ‘public virtue’ is not being taught at home or in schools.
We would do well to heed the warning of our Founding Fathers. Samuel Adams, who is sometimes called the “father of the revolution,” wrote to Richard Henry Lee: “I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends on her virtue.” John Adams pointed out: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
The question that we need to ask ourselves is: What is the Key to reserving a virtuous Nation?
We will look more at this in principle #3.