NCAA Championship game, March 26, 1979 — This wasn’t a moment as much as a movement. This was the start of Bird vs. Magic, which only grew in stature after the pair’s rivalry continued to grow in the NBA. But the fans knew. Michigan State’s win against unbeaten Indiana State remains the highest-rated game in college basketball history. Watching Magic Johnson run the Spartans past Larry Bird’s Sycamores was like watching a prelude to everything the NBA would become. And college hoops got to see it first.
Steeling the Mind Bible Conference pt 1 of 6 with David Barton
Crazy finish to the Butler victory over Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament. Can you believe the Pitt player fouled with 1 second to go? Tonight we saw the biggest moon we have ever seen!!!!
In the next few days I will post portions of the speech (which really was just a newspaper article) but since it is so long I will put an outline of the speech that is provided by David Barton of Wallbuilders.
Foreign Policy.
We should exercise “good faith and justice towards all nations.”
“religion and morality enjoin this conduct”
we should be guided by “an exalted justice and benevolence.”
Washington’s own words:
Observe good faith and justice towards all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct. And can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?
— Martha, who had first been married at 18, was one of the wealthiest widows in the Tidewater region of eastern Virginia when she married Washington. Only one of her four children with her first husband Daniel Custis survived to adulthood.
n pictures: Japan earthquake and tsunami
In association with
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Light planes and vehicles were strewn among the debris.
NCAA Championship game, March 19, 1966 — This moment’s stature has only grown with time. Texas Western (now UTEP) started five black players against Kentucky, which started five white players. Texas Western’s 72-65 victory was a win for the school and the Civil Rights Movement. Years later, Texas Western point guard Bobby Joe Hill said the win “was the thing that opened doors in the ACC, the SEC. … Everybody started recruiting blacks after that.”
Dr. Pat Robertson reads George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation… The Christian Broadcasting Network CBN
In the next few days I will post portions of the speech (which really was just a newspaper article) and today’s section deals with Washington’s philosophy concerning federal debt. This is provided by David Barton of Wallbuilders.
.
As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in times of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives; but it is necessary that public opinion should cooperate. To facilitate to them the performance of their duty it is essential that you should practically bear in mind that towards the payment of debts there must be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties), ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the Government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.
Rand Paul is the senator from Kentucky and I like him a lot. I think his philosophy is much more like our founding fathers on debt. He has proposed eliminated 1/3 of the federal deficit in one year. Below is a story on him and you can see either people love him or hate him.
One day after President Obama called for a rewrite of U-S Education policy, Secretary Duncan defended the Department of Education’s role in making American schools globally competitive.
“We all have to work together to give them a better education,” Duncan said, “and if you are decimating that, you’re going the wrong direction. That does grave harm not just to children but to families, to communities and ultimately to our country.”
Paul argues – however – that educational performance has decreased as U-S education funding has increased.
“When the federal government spends money,” Paul’s overview of the plan explains, “those are resources that are drained from the state, diluted by way of large Washington bureaucracy, and sent back to the school districts with red tape and strings attached.”
“Washington provides at best, eight, nine, ten percent of money,” Duncan countered, “The vast majority of funding comes at the state and the local level, about 90 percent, and that is as it should be. What we all need to do is not invest in the status quo, but invest in this very different vision.”
Meanwhile – WHAS11 viewers are sounding off about Paul’s spending cuts plan.
“I want you to know that I think Rand Paul is a nut,” said one caller to a comment line.
“Apparently, he sends his kids to private schools and so forth, and that’s why he wants a tax cut in education,” another caller said.
“I’m strongly in favor of Rand Paul’s decision,” countered one caller, “I think he’s going to get us going in the right direction.”
“I think Rand Paul is spot on,” said another, “We need to cut the waste and eliminate the bull crap in the government and get things back on track.”
I went to Memphis yesterday and I actually got to walk across a bridge over the Mississippi River. Frankly it was so frightening that I turned around and came back since the bridge was shaking so much.
George Washington wore a lot of hats: JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; “FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY”
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.122
While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.123
The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.124
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.125
3 Of 3 / Faith Of The Founding Fathers / American Heritage Series / David Barton
Last night at 10:45 after a visit to Walmart, I noticed 5 Bryant Policemen running across Reynolds Road and Murphey and I pulled in a parking lot to see all the action. Evidently someone tried to rob the McDonalds and then he ran across the street to the Taco Bell parking lot where he was handcuffed and surrounded by these 5 policemen.
Later firetrucks and an ambulance showed up with several police cars. That is the first excitement we have had in Bryant since seeing a drunk getting stuffed into a car by 3 policeman who had to kick the back of his legs in as he resisted getting into the car. My kids eyes were as big saucers that day, but I wanted them to see the end results of drinking and driving.
I found this on David Barton’s website. This is the text of George Washington’s October 3, 1789 national Thanksgiving Proclamation; as printed in The Providence Gazette and Country Journal, on October 17, 1789.
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
1 Of 3 / Faith Of The Founding Fathers / American Heritage Series / David Barton
My friend Sherwood Haisty Jr. is a minister in Santa Monica, California and he has done a lot of studying on the Founding Fathers. One of his favorites is George Washington. I am going to invite him to comment on the Farewell Address of George Washington.
Two of my sons, Hunter (22yr) and Wilson (14yr) are flying out to California on Spring Break to help Sherwood when he preaches at the Santa Monica Promenade.
In the picture below at Santa Monica Promenade there are 35 people gathered around and the person speaking is a former follower of Islam, but he identified himself as an atheist and on this occasion he was speaking in favor of evolution.
This is a small portion of a Sermon Preached by Sherwood Haisty Jr. in Santa Monica
In the next few days I will post portions of the speech (which really was just a newspaper article) but since it is so long I will put an outline of the speech that is provided by David Barton of Wallbuilders.
Religion and Morality.
Are “indispensable supports” for “political prosperity.”
Are the “firmest props of the duties of Men and Country.”
The oaths in our courts would be useless without “the sense of religious obligation.”
“And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.”
“Reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
“Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge.”
Some anecdotes bring out the character of Washington very well. During the election campaign, there was a bitter war of words. A man called Payne felt that Washington had crossed the line by insulting him. He decided to settle the matter with the help of a hickory stick. The following day, Washington set up an interview with Payne. Payne expected that Washington would seek revenge. However, Washington apologized for insulting him and shook his hand.
Washington in his “Farewell Address,” Washington reminded the nation:
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness. . . . The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them.
Washington – indisputably a constitutional expert – declared that religion and morality were inseparable from government, and that no true patriot, whether politician or clergyman, would attempt to weaken the relationship between government and the influence of religion and morality.
I am hoping to go see UCA boys basketball team play this Saturday. I sat with them on a plane from Dallas to Little Rock this morning. I asked how they did in their game and they said not too good. Coach Williamson was wearing sweats and I told him that it may have helped if he got on the floor. He said that would have felt good.
In the next few days I will post portions of the speech (which really was just a newspaper article) but since it is so long I will put an outline of the speech that is provided by David Barton of Wallbuilders.
Spirit of Party.
Parties are “potent engines” that men will use to take over the “reins of government.”
Washington warns against parties’ “baneful effects”:
leads to the absolute power of an individual
“discourage and restrain” the spirit of party
leads to “jealousies and false alarms”
“animosity of one part against another”
can lead to “riot and insurrection”
opens “door to foreign influence and corruption”
“it is a spirit not to be encouraged.”
Spirit of Encroachment.
Leads to “a real despotism.”
There is a necessity of “reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power.”
If a problem arises, correct it by an amendment, not by “usurpation.”
As a young man, Washington was confronted by death many times. He suffered and survived dreadful diseases like malaria, smallpox, pleurisy and dysentery. He nearly drowned when he accidentally fell of the raft into the icy river while returning from an expedition to the French Fort le Boeuf. In 1775, bullets grazed his coat, but he was unhurt.
Glenn Beck discusses this topic with Peter Lillback and David Barton. Also discussed is the revisionist history done by the Progressives that has created the current widely held view that Washington was a Deist.
My son Wilson was born in Sept of 1996. Shortly after that I got to go on a trip through New England with my sons Rett (9 yr) and Hunter (8yr) and we toured sites that were associated with our Founding Fathers. One of my favorites was Mt Vernon where George and Martha Washington lived.
It is fitting that today which is George Washington’s birthday that my son Hunter is back in Virginia and may get a chance to visit Mt Vernon again. He is attending a week of training for the military and will be heading back for his second tour in 2012. He served in Iraq in 2008 and will be heading to Afghanistan next.
The first time we went to Mt Vernon he asked me why the sign said that no one could touch George Washington’s bed. I told him that over one million people visit Mt Vernon every year and if everyone touched the bed that it could fall apart. He had really wanted to say that he had touched George Washington’s bed.
In a way, we all want to be closely associated with our Founding Fathers. I was especially impressed with Washington’s Falwell Speech. In the next few days I will post portions of the speech (which really was just a newspaper article) but since it is so long I will put an outline of the speech that is provided by David Barton of Wallbuilders.
OUTLINE
Retirement from office.
He realizes people must be thinking about his replacement, therefore he declines re-election.
He has thought it through, and feels like it is in everyone’s best interest.
He wanted to retire earlier, but foreign affairs and advice from those he respected caused him to “abandon the idea.”
Now that everything is calm, he is persuaded that the people will not disapprove of this “determination to retire.”
He is convinced his age forces retirement, and he welcomes the opportunity.
He offers gratitude for the people’s support.
He offers a blessing “that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence. . .”
Scope of the Address.
His sentiments are for the people’s “frequent review,” he wanted us to read and re-read the Address.
His only motive was as a friend.
He felt no need to recommend a love of liberty – it was already there.
Unity of Government.
Unity is a “main pillar” of “real independence”:
for the support of “tranquility at home”
for “your peace abroad”
for “your safety”
for “your prosperity”
for “that very liberty which you so highly prize.”
Common attributes of unity:
same religion
manners
habits
political principles.
The most commanding motive is to preserve the “union of the whole.”
The North, South, East, and West all depend on each other.
Unity leads to greater strength, resources, and security.
Unity will help “avoid the necessity of . . . overgrown military establishments” and will be the main “prop of your liberty.”
He questions the patriotism of anyone who tries to “weaken its bands.”
It was unity that brought two valuable treaties:
with Great Britain
with Spain.
Government for the whole – via the Constitution – is indispensable; not just alliances between sections.
the adoption of the Constitution was an improvement on the former “essay.”
respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, and acquiescence in its measures are fundamental maxims of true liberty.
the people’s right to alter constitutions is the basis of our political system.
George Washington the first President of the United States was a very enigmatic person. There are many fascinating anecdotes about the great man
The story of how George Washington, cut down a cherry tree with his new axe, is well known. The incident never happened. It was a story concocted by Washington’s biographer, Parson Mason Weems, years after his death.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
The last few days I have been looking at this issue of unconfirmed quotes that people think that the Founding Fathers actually said and the historical evidence concerning them. David Barton has collected these quotes and tried to confirm them over the last 20 years.
An eloquent preacher of your religious society, Richard Motte, in a discourse of much emotion and pathos, is said to have exclaimed aloud to his congregation, that he did not believe there was a Quaker, Presbyterian, Methodist or Baptist in heaven, having paused to give his hearers time to stare and to wonder. He added, that in heaven, God knew no distinctions, but considered all good men as his children, and as brethren of the same family. I believe, with the Quaker preacher, that he who steadily observes those moral precepts in which all religions concur, will never be questioned at the gates of heaven, as to the dogmas in which they all differ. That on entering there, all these are left behind us, and the Aristides and Catos, the Penns and Tillotsons, Presbyterians and Baptists, will find themselves united in all principles which are in concert with the reason of the supreme mind. Of all the systems of morality, ancient and modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus.
To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense in which he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others.
But the greatest of all the reformers of the depraved religion of His own country, was Jesus of Nazareth.
In fact, Jefferson thought Christianity so important that he personally authored a work for the Indians entitled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth which set forth the teachings of Jesus as delivered in the Gospels. (The Fifty-seventh Congress ordered a reprint of his work. ) Many people have claimed that Jefferson omitted all miraculous events of Jesus from his so called “Bible.” Rarely do those who make this claim let Jefferson speak for himself. Jefferson’s own words explain that his intent for that book was not for it to be a “Bible,” but rather for it to be a primer for the Indians on the teachings of Christ (which is why Jefferson titled that work, “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth“). What Jefferson did was to take the “red letter” portions of the New Testament and publish these teachings in order to introduce the Indians to Christian morality. To deny this is to deny that he swore “upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
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This is a profile from the Morning News from 2009 of State lawmaker Mary Slinkard.
R-Gravette
House District 100
Freshman
Committees: Judiciary; State Agencies.
Special connections: Benton County clerk until her swearing in at the House.
How to reach her: House in-session number: 501-682-6211. On weekends: 479-616-2010.
What you should know: Asked for and traded her slot on another committee to get to State Agencies, which oversees election law.
Her priority: “First will be to learn. After that, I’d like to see a firm deadline for persons to get their names on the ballot, preferably earlier so we can get ballots printed. I want to clarify election law. I just want things to work.”
Her biggest fear: “Being a newbie.”
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
The last few days I have been looking at this issue of unconfirmed quotes that people think that the Founding Fathers actually said and the historical evidence concerning them. David Barton has collected these quotes and tried to confirm them over the last 20 years. These unconfirmed quotes are used every single day and unfortunately my group of conservatives have been guilty of using them more than the liberals have. This website HALT (HaltingArkansasLiberalswithTruth.com) includes the T for the word ‘truth” and I want to be totally honest concerning the scholarship of the works that I quote.
Below are two unconfirmed quotes that have been attributed to Noah Webster in the past.
These words are entirely consistent with the life and character of Noah Webster. His conversion in 1808 to true Christianity, as opposed to a reliance on outward works and moral duties, is well-documented in his letters. And his attitude on the relationship between government and religion is clearly revealed in his writings. Concerning the origin of civil liberty, he declared:
Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the Christian religion.
. . . . . . . . . .
[T]he religion which has introduced civil liberty, is the religion of Christ and his apostles.
. . . . . . . . . .
This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.
This is but a small portion of Webster’s thought on the subject of religion and government. Whether he stated the quotes in question or not, they sound like Webster. There is far too much evidence to deny this. Despite this consistency, we recommend avoiding the unconfirmed quote and using the numerous Webster quotations that have stronger supporting documentation.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
Wallbuilders’ Founder and President David Barton joins Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel for the full hour to discuss our Godly heritage and how faith was the foundational principle upon which America was built.
In the next few weeks I will be looking at this issue of unconfirmed quotes that people think that the Founding Fathers actually said and the historical evidence concerning them. David Barton has collected these quotes and tried to confirm them over the last 20 years. These unconfirmed quotes are used every single day and unfortunately my group of conservatives have been guilty of using them more than the liberals have. This website HALT (HaltingArkansasLiberalswithTruth.com) includes the T for the word ‘truth.” I want to always tell it like it is and that includes this fact: Conservative Republicans will be more likely than their liberal counterparts to stand up today in state legislatures all across the country and use quotes that have not been confirmed with original sources linking them to the Founding Fathers.
I am not really that upset about this Patrick Henry quote since I know that he was definately an evangelical Christian. Plenty of evidence exists that he believed what is in this quote. Take a look.
Few could dispute that this quotation is consistent with Henry’s life and character. (Interestingly, those who advocate a secular society today view Henry as an arch enemy.) One early biographer describes how Henry reprinted and distributed Soame Jennings book, View of the Internal Evidence of Christianity, and also that Henry looked to the restraining and elevating principles of Christianity as the hope of his country’s institutions. Bishop Meade, writing of Virginia families in general, says of Henry that, despite possible periods of alienation, his attachment to the [Episcopal] Church of his fathers is clearly established. In one of many courtroom speeches, Henry offered these thoughts (one need not agree with his ideas to understand the context):
I know, sir, how well it becomes a liberal man and a Christian to forget and forgive. As individuals professing a holy religion, it is our bounden duty to forgive injuries done us as individuals. But when the character of Christian you add the character of patriot, you are in a different situation. Our mild and holy system of religion inculcates an admirable maxim of forbearance. If your enemy smite one cheek, turn the other to him. But you must stop there. You cannot apply this to your country. As members of a social community, this maxim does not apply to you. When you consider injuries done to your country your political duty tells you of vengeance. Forgive as a private man, but never forgive public injuries. Observations of this nature are exceedingly unpleasant, but it is my duty to use them.
In a 1796 letter to his daughter Henry stated:
Amongst other strange things said of me, I hear it is said by the deists that I am one of their number; and, indeed, that some good people think I am no Christian. This thought gives me much more pain than the appellation of Tory; because I think religion of infinitely higher importance than politics; and I find much cause to reproach myself that I have lived so long and have given no decided and public proofs of my being a Christian. But, indeed, my dear child, this is a character which I prize far above all this world has, or can boast.
Bishop Meade, mentioned above, also describes a letter from Rev. Dresser, who was addressing two Church historians. Concerning Patrick Henry, Dresser wrote:
It is stated, in an article which I saw some time ago, from the Protestant Episcopalian, and, I presume, from one of you, that Patrick Henry was once an infidel, &c. His widow and some of his descendants are residing in this county, and I am authorized by one of them to say that the anecdote related is not true. He ever had, I am informed, a very abhorrence of infidelity, and actually wrote an answer to Paine’s Age of Reason, but destroyed it before his death. His widow informed me that he received the Communion as often as an opportunity was offered, and on such occasions always fasted until after he had communicated, and spent the day in the greatest retirement. This he did both while Governor and afterward. Had he lived a few years longer, he would have probably done much to check the immoral influence of one of his compatriots [?], whose works are now diffusing the poison of infidelity throughout our land.
Henry’s religious persuasion is well-established. However, there is more evidence that should be considered. Biographer William Wirt Henry relates that a visiting neighbor recalled Henry holding up the Bible and stating:
This book is worth all the books that ever were printed, and it has been my misfortune that I have never found time to read it with the proper attention and feeling till lately. I trust in the mercy of Heaven that it is not yet too late.
Despite his regret for not having spent more time in the Bible, Henry knew the value of Scripture. Taken together with his efforts while in public life, there is an ample foundation for this excerpt from his Last Will and Testament:
This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.From a copy of Henry’s Last Will and Testament obtained from Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation, Red Hill, Brookneal, VA
As a final thought, there is a possibility that the unconfirmed quote came from Henry’s uncle, the Reverend Patrick Henry. We find no record of the Reverend’s letters or writings. Therefore, until more definitive documentation can be presented, please avoid the words in question.
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This below is a profile of a State Lawmaker from a 2009 interview from the Morning News:
R-Gravette
Senate District 9
Serving his second term in the state Senate in the age of term limits, although he served earlier in the Senate from 1979 to 1983. Served one term in the House from 2001 to 2003.
Committees: Chairman of Energy; Rules; Joint Budget; Legislative Council; Education.
Special connections: An engineer and businessman whose interests include car dealerships.
How to reach him: E-mail address: hendrenk@arkleg.state.ar.us. Business number: 479-787-6500. “If my office doesn’t answer you’ll get my voice mail, which I check.”
What you should know: Has a special chagrin against state laws and regulations that try to micromanage school districts.
His priority: “Everybody’s priority is education, both higher education and general.” Will repeat earlier attempts to pass a law requiring that cell phones used in cars be hands-free. Wants state scholarships to higher education to include some “sweat equity” requirements.
Firmest prediction: “We will ask for more efficiency in the education area to save public money. There will also be resistance to any increase in taxes.”
The Daily Hatch 