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We can look at the beginning educational documents in America and see how much things have changed. The first book for education was the New England Primer. Like David Barton, founder and President of WallBuilders, explains, “It was the first textbook ever printed in America.” Inside this small textbook, children first learned their alphabet by correlating people and stories in the Bible to each letter. Many will say that America is not a Christian nation, but when we investigate our history, we can see how false that is.
David who is a historian discusses this topic with Rick Green who is a former legislature, and they speak on Foundations of Freedom. They share how the Bible is a founding document in America right along with the U.S. Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. David shares, “The Bible was the number one source, far and away more than any other source; the Bible was the most frequently quoted source. So it is a founding document in America…we have over 250 idioms that we use on a daily basis that are direct quotations out of the Bible…the Bible is so much a part of what we do that people don’t recognize it.” Many don’t realize how much they quote the Bible!
A question is posed wondering when the right time is to teach children to study the Bible. David answers, “When you look at American history, the right time to start training them is when they start to read.” The Bible along with Dr. Watts Hymns were used in public schools, and that is how children learned to read! As reported by the records of the Columbia Historical Society, February 10, 1813 “55 have learned to read in the Old and New Testaments; and all are able to spell words of 3, 4, and 5 syllables; 26 are now learning to read Dr. Watts Hymns and spells words of 2 syllables; 10 are learning words of 4 & 5 letters. Of 59 out of the whole number admitted [or enrolled] that did not know a single letter, 20 can now read the Bible and spell words of 3, 4, and five syllables; 29 read Dr. Watts Hymns and spell words of 2 syllables; and ten words of 4 & 5 letters.”
They go on to discuss Fisher Ames who was a framer of the Bill of Rights. David describes Ames’ comments on his observations, “The more textbooks we’re putting in the classroom, the more time we’re having to spend on those textbooks. He says the more time we spend on those textbooks, the less time we have available on the Bible…If we’re not careful, the Bible is going to start drifting to the back of our classrooms, and this can’t be tolerated in American education.” These words are spoken from one of our forefathers more than 200 years ago and it has come to pass because the Bible has drifted out of our classrooms!
Benjamin Rush, a signer of The Declaration of Independence, was also called the father of public schools under the Constitution because he is considered the first founding father to advance the idea of free public schools. He gave 12 reasons why we should never take the Bible out of schools! “Any generation that takes the Bible out of schools will spend all of its time and money fighting crime.” Also, Benjamin shared truth on the importance of reading the Bible, “The Bible, when not read in schools is seldom read in any subsequent period of life.” This is happening in America now!
Benjamin Franklin, another Founding Father, spoke as an 81-year-old man at the Constitutional Convention as each delegation from every state came with their own plans, so Benjamin speaks from his heart. “In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible for danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor…And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth; that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel…and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages.” He was our least religious Founding Father, yet he still knew the Bible so well that in this speech he included 9 Bible verses because that is how he was taught in school!
David and Rick share much more information concerning the founding of America so be sure to watch or listen to the full segment. We must pray for our Education Mountain in America for it to be brought back to the original intent where the Bible is taught in public schools! This will change our nation! We want to hear from you and what you think about this. You can write to us at [email protected]. Greg and Steve shared in this segment.
Courtesy of Pixabay.com
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Foundations of Freedom Series
New England Primer
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Sources from discussion between David Barton and Rick Green
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