An Educated Citizenry

         “An educated citizenry, not the right to bear arms, is the worst kind of threat to tyrants, dictators and repressive governments everywhere.”  Who said that?  The answer will be stated farther along in this article. J

      This Fourth of July, why not celebrate by ordering one or more of these excellent books for your family?  If it is true that an educated citizenry makes tyrants tremble, what are we doing to educate ourselves and our families about our godly heritage as  a nation?

      How many believers have bought into the notion that the United States is not founded upon religious principles?  Were there or were there not a group of men who by and large acknowledged the presence and purposeful acts of an omnipotent God?  It is popular today to suppose that the United States just happened.  Was there  no move to escape religious persecution :  were there no entreaties to God for protection, for healing and for safety?  What do you think, Mister and Mrs. Educated Amerian? Was it a  happenstance that believers  set sail into hostile seas, endured a month- longs journey and discovered a sparsely inhabited land teeming with resources? Was it happenstance that the United States was formed at this time in history and endured such internal struggles as the Civil War, the entire question of the morality of slavery, the terror of the Indian massacres of the early 19^th century and hundreds of other less publicized, localized problems?

      Not so long ago, our religious heritage was taught openly and none doubted.  However these days, for example you will no longer find a copy of the Mayflower Compact, a very important document penned even earlier than the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  So how will you educate yourself and find out about all these resources that are available?   Look no further than www.InsHisHonor.org, a Christian online bookstore specializing in the biblical heritage of early America.

    The first item I would like to recommend is “America’s Godly Heritage” by David Barton.  This DVD explains how prominent religious teaching was in the American school system prior to 1963.  What happened in 1963?  If you are not sure, get the DVD.  It will give you much to think about.  Barton also authored a book entitled, “Four Centuries of American Education,” available as well on www.InHisHonor.org.   He wrote a book about Ben Franklin, a quirky man about whom many have argued as to his religious background.  Did you know that it was Franklin who suggested that the Continental Congress pray prior to a very important decision?  A CD –ROM by David Barton contains six early books penned by John Jay, a prominent early jurist and Supreme Court Justice.  Barton is a very prolific writer, but I would like to conclude this comment  on his works by noting “Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution and Religion”.  This scholarly yet easy read references actual court cases and includes a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence in the back of the book.  Don’t leave David Barton out of your library! 

Did I mention that you can purchase a copy of the New England Primer, the first textbook printed in the United States and one that was used into the early 20^th century?  A fascinating and relatively short paperback, this primer taught many of the Founding Fathers and their children. It is full of the wisdom gleaned from the Scriptures and yet was used as a public school textbook!  What did its users know that we have perhaps forgotten?

Have you ever heard of “From Sea to Shining Sea”?  This book is the second in a series by Peter Marshall, son of the famed U.S. Senate Chaplain, the Reverend Peter Marshall.  Peter Marshall(the son) is deceased but his books live on: they include the “The Light and the Glory” and “Sounding Fourth the Trumpet” the third in the series.  I was first introduced to the documented fact that the terrible Indian massacres of the early years of the United States were actively suppressed during times of great spiritual stirring.  It seems that when early settlers turned to God, He gave them years of peace, even in the midst of hostile tribes, and when they forgot God, terrible things happened.  That historical and documented occurrence ought to give us great pause as we contemplate the spiritual temperature of the United States today.  Yes, you will find these three books at www.InHisHonor.org.  Yes, it is true that Christian books change lives.

What other influential and life changing books might you find in our online Christian bookstore?  Why don’t you come see for yourself?  We are as close as your computer.  These days, we may be as close as your smartphone.  I have accessed the bookstore myself many times on my HTC G2 from T-Mobile.  With pinch to zoom features, I can easily read and even order on my smartphone.  But the point is, these resources are easily available.  If you live close to a public library, you may have access to computers there.   Www.InHisHonor.org is widely available and has many books, CDs and DVDs that will meet  your literary needs.

The quote at the beginning of this blog about educated citizenry: I made it up.  I believe I combined several quotes.  Does anybody recognize where it came from?  I would like to know myself!