“In addition, therefore to wholesome laws restraining vice, every encouragement ought to be given to introduce religion, and learned clergy to perform divine worship in honor of God, and to cultivate principles of religion and virtue among our citizens. For this purpose it will be your wisdom to lay an early foundation for endowing seminaries of learning; nor can you, I conceive lay a better than by a grant of a sufficient tract of land, that may, as in other governments, hereafter, by lease or otherwise, raise a revenue sufficient to support such valuable institutions.”

Lyman Hall; July 8, 1783

II. South Carolina

“Our reliance continues therefore to be (under God) on your wisdom & fortitude & that of your Forces…God bless you my dear Sir.” Edward Rutledge to George Washington, Sept. 11, 1776

III. North Carolina

“The Congress at our request have agreed to send two Clergymen to North Carolina to explain to the Highlanders and regulators the nature of the dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies, and left the appointment to us [N.C. delegates]. We applied to Mr. Elihu Spencer and Mr. Alexander McWhorte two eminent divines of the Presbyterian religion who have undertaken the service.”

Joseph Hewes to Samuel Johnston, Jan. 4, 1776

IV. Virginia

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”

Thomas Jefferson, Query XVIII, 1781 [engraved on Jefferson Memorial]

V. Maryland

“Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure, …are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of a free governments.”

Charles Carroll to James McHenry; Nov. 4, 1800

VI. Delaware

“The Israelite (the Chosen People of God) met with crosses and disappointments in their Journey from the land [of] Bondage to that of Liberty, But by a Steady perservance and divine assistance they at length possessed the promised Land. So that, that God Who Vieweth & Judgeth all things with Unerring Wisdom, Seeing the Righteousness of his Cause (tho he permitted Temporary Obstruction) Will one day (with a firm Reliance on him) Crown his Virtuous Endeavours with Success, and Cause the Modern Pharaoh’s with their hosts to be buried in the Sea of their Toryism, as he did the Antient Pharaoh in the Red Sea.”

Caesar Rodney to Thomas Rodney; Sept. 11, 1776

VII. New Jersey

“… And as my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Saviour, the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit; of Divine faith accompanied with a habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the Divine Providence; but also in the bowels of a father’s affection, to exhort and charge them that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state.”

Richard Stockton’s Will

VIII. Pennsylvania

“Having taken into consideration the inestimable value of the revelation which it hath pleased God to make to our world of His existence, character, will, works and grace in Jesus Christ in the Bible, and of the great benefits to be expected from the distribution of it among persons who are unable or not disposed to purchase it, [we] have agreed to form…a Society for that purpose, to be called The Bible Society.”

Benjamin Rush, First Report of the Bible Society Established at Philadelphia; May 1, 1809

IX. New York

“…I really feel for you under your present circumstances going upon a Dangerous expedition without Powder or good men. God Send you Success, all your Friends in this Place are well, and believe me Dr Sir Your Sincere friend and Most Hu Sert, Lewis Morris”

Lewis Morris to Philip Schuyler; July 23, 1775

X. Connecticut

“Let all Eyes and Hearts be to God… all things are in the hands of our exquisitely wise and good God. May every soul be induced to repent and seek Him with all their heart and entreat his favor for this distressed Land.”

William Williams to Jonathan Trumball; Nov. 6, 1776

XI. Massachusetts

“…I give up this City [Philadelphia] & State [Pennsylvania] for lost until recovered by other Americans. Our Cause however will be supported. It is the Cause of God & Men, and virtuous men by the Smiles of Heaven will bring it to a happy Issue…

May God prosper them and increase their Number. Let America exert her own Strength. Let her depend upon God’s Blessing, and He who cannot be indifferent to her righteous Cause will even work Miracles if necessary to carry her thro this glorious Conflict, and establish her feet upon a Rock. Adieu my Friend, the Clock strikes Twelve.”

Samuel Adams to James Warren; Dec. 12, 1776

XII. Rhode Island

“…The Road to Liberty, Like the Road to Heaven is strewed with Thorns. Virtue lives in Exertion. But thank Providence, altho’ our Northern Army hath been unsuccessful, our Southern Forces under Gen. Lee have been successful.”

William Ellery to Ezra Stiles; July 20, 1776

XIII. New Hampshire

“…But I hope & trust that the Supreme Disposer of all Events, who loveth Justice & hateth Iniquity will continue to favor our righteous Cause and that the wickedness of our Enemies will fall on their own heads.”

Josiah Bartlett to Mary Bartlett; July 14, 1776