Founding Father Benjamin Rush Speaks His Mind

Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Rush was a signer of The Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of The U. S. Constitution; “Father of American Medicine”; Treasurer of the U. S. Mint; and the “Father of Public Schools Under The Constitution.” He was also a committed Christian. The following quotes are from this esteemed Founding Father.

“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.”

“By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects… It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published.”

“[T]he greatest discoveries in science have been made by Christian philosophers and . . . there is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity.”

“[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.”

“The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effective means of limiting Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools.”

“[C]hristianity is the only true and perfect religion; and… in proportion as mankind adopt its principles and obey its precepts, they will be wise and happy.”

“The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.”

“The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life… [T]he Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.”