John Jay

1745 - 1829
Lawyer / Judge

What he did:

First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Member of the first and second Continental Congress

Author of the Federalist Papers along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton

Assisted in negotiating the peace treaty to end the Revolutionary War.

President of the American Bible Society

What he said:

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” Source: October 12, 1816. The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed., (New York: Burt Franklin, 1970), Vol. IV, p. 393.

“Whether our religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received either from the clergy or the laity. It appears to me that what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat about his attachment to Ahab ["Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord?" 2 Chronicles 19:2] affords a salutary lesson.” [The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 1794-1826, Henry P. Johnston, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1893), Vol. IV, p.365]

“By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degredation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.”

“ The Bible will also inform them that our Gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed: that this Redeemer has made atonement for the sins of the whole world, and thereby reconciling the Divine Justice with the Divine Mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.” Address to the American Bible Society May 13,1824.

“Unto Him who is the Author and Giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His merciful and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son.” From the Last Will and Testament of John Jay

On may 17,1829 as John Jay was near his death he was asked if he had any final words for his children. He responded with four words.

“They have the Book.”