During the next few weeks, I would like to share some of the historic documents which show how significant. Christianity was to our founding fathers. They were often very bold about their trust in God.
This Mayflower Compact was written aboard the ship before the pilgrims settled in New England. Many recognize this as the first document resembling a constitution written by the earliest settlers.
Please note: the colony was planted “for the Glory of God and Advancement of the Christian Faith.”
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord
King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having
undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country,
a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually,
in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick,
for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact,
constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time,
as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise
all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod
the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland,
the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.
Thanks to Yale Law Library for sharing this document.