Governor Jonathan Belcher Promotes Christianity and Morality

[In this speech, Governor Jonathan Belcher called upon government to promote Christianity and to encourage the people to reform their lives and morals. This shows that in Colonial times, an American governor could encourage and promote Christianity! The following excerpt of Governor Belcher's speech of December 16, 1730 is from A Journal of the Honourable House of Representatives, At a Great and General Court of Assembly of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England,... (Boston: Thomas Fleet, 1730).]

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"I am sensible what I am saying on this head may become the

scorn and ridicule of some monsters in wickedness, who would

fain scoff a GOD and His religion out of the world; yet while I

have the honor to sit in the first seat of government among you,

if I may be capable of doing anything that may tend to a better

reformation of men's lives and manners, I shall think it one great

happiness of my government...."

-- Governor Jonathan Belcher, December 16, 1730,

courageously speaking out in favor of

Christianity despite the consequences

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[From Governor Jonathan Belcher's speech to the General Court, December 16, 1730:]

    Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives,

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    Your serious consideration of the state of religion in your country, I think most naturally lead you to the making such laws as may be further necessary for the more effectual discouragement of vice and wickedness, and for giving countenance to virtue and true religion; everything that the legislature can do for advancing the honor of the only true GOD and His Eternal Son the Savior of mankind, will be the best basis wherein to build their hopes of the future welfare and happiness of themselves and their posterity, even in this world. I am sensible what I am saying on this head may become the scorn and ridicule of some monsters in wickedness, who would fain scoff a GOD and His religion out of the world; yet while I have the honor to sit in the first seat of government among you, if I may be capable of doing anything that may tend to a better reformation of men's lives and manners, I shall think it one great happiness of my government; and I wish I may be able by my example to give force and energy to my commands for the good execution of the wholesome laws of this province.

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