In 1776, John Adams said, "It is religion and
morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can
securely stand." Men like Daniel Webster, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin
Rush, Samuel Adams and George Washington agree, religion must under-gird that
morality, and the education of young minds was key.
Not surprisingly, preachers and churches founded most of
America's oldest universities:
At Harvard university (founded in 1636), the primary goal
of every student's "life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ
which is eternal life (John 17:3), and therefore lay Christ... as the only
foundation of all sound knowledge and learning." Harvard’s original seal
proclaimed, "Truth for Christ and the Church."
The College of William and Mary was founded in 1693 to
supply the church of Virginia "with a seminary of ministers" that the
Christian faith may be propagated."
Yale College (1701) aimed to have "every student ...
consider the main end of his study...to know God in Jesus Christ and answerably
to lead a godly, sober life."
Kings College - (Columbia University) - purposed to
"inculcate upon [students'] tender minds the great principles of
Christianity and morality."
A founding statement at Princeton reads, "Cursed is
all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ."
This posting is a submission by Church Triumphant pastor Larry Burn’s,
and is the opening chapter of an ongoing series. We invite you to comment, ask
questions, and join in a dialogue.
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