The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of mankind. I concur with the author in considering the moral precepts of Jesus as more pure, correct, and sublime than those of ancient philosophers. It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people. The doctrine they preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and to our courts of justice and constitutions of government, purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions.
Bibles are strong entrenchments.
Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience. Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them. No free government now exists in the world, unless where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the country. Pennsylvania Supreme Court, 1824. The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.