Foundational Freedoms

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Permalink Reply by Jim & Sally Cribbs on August 3, 2009 at 2:43pm

Just as we should be Bereans, studying the Word of God for ourselves and not taking what anyone tells us at face value, so should we study our history. A study of our history will not save us and has nothing to do with our eternal salvation. But, many people and institutions proclaim myths as truths and traditions as fact. An example is the evolutionists, they take the basic information and add their own spin based on their own beliefs.
As Christians we should not fall into that pattern, we should study and hold to the truth, just like studying the Bible. It is when people put their own spin on things, that is when they get in trouble and discredit themselves and what they believe in, no matter what it is.
Now, that being said; that I hope and pray that truth with no spin will be the ground work of this forum.

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Permalink Reply by Jim & Sally Cribbs on August 24, 2009 at 9:05am

Let's start with the signers of the Declaration of Independance, subject #1:

Declaration of Independence Signers

Delaware

George Read: 18 Sept 1733 – 21 Sept 1798
Admitted to Philadelphia Bar, 1753; Attorney General (in Delaware), 1761 John Read designing George Read for one of the learned professions, placed him in a seminary at Chester, in the province of Pennsylvania. Having there acquired the rudiments of the learned languages, he was transferred to the care of that learned and accomplished scholar, the Rev. Dr. Allison, a gentleman eminently qualified to superintend the education of young men. With this gentleman young Mr. Read continued his studies until his seventeenth year, when he entered the office of John Moland, Esq. a distinguished lawyer in the city of Philadelphia, for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the legal profession.
Mr. George Read married Gertrude Ross Till, the young widow of Thomas Till, daughter of the Rev. John Ross, a clergyman, who had long presided over an Episcopal church, in the town of Newcastle. The character of Mrs. Read was in every respect excellent.
George Read presided over the Delaware constitutional convention, he chaired the drafting committee, which led to the development of the Constitution of the State of Delaware. The requirements stated in the Delaware Constitution necessary for holding office include:

Delaware Constitution of 1776, ART. 22
Thorpe 1:566
Art. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit:
"I, A B, will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, submit to its constitution and laws, and do no act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be prejudiced."
And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit:
"I, A B, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."
And all officers shall also take an oath of office.

The Founders' Constitution
Volume 4, Article 6, Clause 3, Document 2
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/a6_3s2.html
The University of Chicago Press
Thorpe, Francis Newton, ed. The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming the United States of America. 7 vols. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1909.

So it appears George Read was a believer. What do you think?

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Permalink Reply by Jim & Sally Cribbs on September 8, 2009 at 6:36pm

Caesar Rodney: 7 October 1728 - 29 June 1784
Commissioned High Sheriff of Kent County, 1755; Elected to Continental Congress, 1774-76, 77; Military Leader, 1774-77, Elected President of the State of Delaware, 1778-80; Member of the Upper House of the State Assembly, 1776-84;
He was tutored by his parents and may have attended a local Parson's school, but received no formal education. His mother was a preacher’s kid, daughter of an Anglican minister. Not much on this guy; however, he held the highest political position and an office of trust in Delaware. This after the Delaware Constitution of 1776 was instituted.

Delaware Constitution of 1776, ART. 22
Thorpe 1:566
Art. 22. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust, before taking his seat, or entering upon the execution of his office, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, if conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, to wit:
"I, A B, will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, submit to its constitution and laws, and do no act wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be prejudiced."
And also make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit:
"I, A B, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration."
And all officers shall also take an oath of office.

According to Article 22; for him to obtain that office he would have had to make a public profession of faith. So was he a true believer, only GOD knows. If anybody can come up with anything else, let me know.

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