The Shocking Voting Advice America’s First Chief Justice Gave Us All
John Jay (1745-1829), America’s first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, gave some very direct advice about how to vote this November. That his advice will seem shocking to so many is only indicative of how far we have strayed, as a nation, from the mindset of America’s founding generation
Let Christian Morality Be Your Guide
Jay was a lawyer from New York, a member of the Continental Congress, and a passionate abolitionist. He was one of the authors of the “Federalist Papers,” along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
Held in very high esteem by his generation, George Washington appointed him to be the nation’s first Chief Justice of the newly formed United States Supreme Court. He served in this capacity from 1789 to 1795. He then served as governor of New York from 1795 to 1801 and was able to push through a law outlawing slavery in that state.
Jay was a devout Christian who believed Christian morality to be the only basis for a peaceful and prosperous nation. He was very open about his faith and publicly declared:
“Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son. Blessed be His holy name!”
Because the new nation was designed to be guided by “we the people” who would choose their leaders, Jay urged the people to be discreet in whom they chose. In 1812 he exhorted:
“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. National prosperity can neither be obtained nor preserved without the favor of Providence” (Hyatt, “America’s Revival Heritage 2nd Edition,” 93).
One Party Has Rejected the Faith and Values of Our Founding Generation
In 2019 the Democrat National Committee (DNC), the governing body of the Democrat party, unanimously passed a resolution affirming atheism and declaring that neither Christianity nor any religion is necessary for morality and patriotism. Not a single Democrat leader—neither Pelosi, Schumer or Biden—has expressed opposition, or even concern, about this resolution.
Their silence is deafening and is a cause for great concern. Their lack of a moral compass means nothing is off limits in their amoral world where abortion is just fine right up to the time of birth, and they see no problem in encouraging girls to identify as boys and in allowing boys, who identify as girls, to compete in girls’ sports and use the girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms.
John Jay obviously would not vote for a modern Democrat, and neither would any other Founding Father. This does not mean that Republicans are saints. Far from it! Many of them are just as bad, but at least their party has not officially rejected God and Christian morality.
Vote and Pray
As we go to the polls this November, let us remember the words, not only of John Jay, but also of George Washington who said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” Let us also recall the words of James Madison who said:
“The belief in a God All Powerful, wise and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources” (Hyatt, “1726: The Year that Defined America,” 111).
So, this November, let us cast our votes for those candidates whose values are most compatible with those of America’s founding generation. Let us also pray for another Great Awakening to sweep across this land, restoring morality and common sense from sea to shining sea.
After all, as documented in my books, “America’s Revival Heritage” and “1726,” it was the First Great Awakening (1726-70) that shaped the thinking of America’s founding generation and enabled them to create the freest and most prosperous nation in human history. {eoa}
This article was derived from the books America’s Revival Heritage 2nd Edition and 1726: The Year that Defined America by Dr. Eddie Hyatt and available from Amazon and his website at http://eddiehyatt.com. Eddie is the founder of the “1726 Project” and is passionate about educating this generation about how America was birthed out of a great spiritual awakening.
For the original article, visit biblicalawakeningblogspot.com.