Richard Henry Lee – Guard Freedom of Religion, Religion is the Guardian of Morals

Posted by Billy Hart in American History | 0 comments

My Notes

In the excerpt of the letter below, Mr. Lee writes to James Madison. He discusses the idea of having a tax levied to help support religion in the state. I do not necessarily agree with this idea but I find his statement, “the experience of all times shows religion to be the guardian of morals”, to show his belief of the source of morality for the nation. He argues that reason is not enough to create a moral society.

I also like the statement, “true freedom embraces the Mahometan [(Islam)] and the Gentoo [(Hindu)], as well as the Christian religion.” The founders had an understanding that the Law could not be used to force people to believe one way or another. If the law is used to force the Christian religion, that same law could then be turned to forbid it. People must remain free to follow the dictates of their conscience. Reason and the work of the Holy Spirit must turn mens hearts toward God, not the laws of the state backed by military might.

Quotes I Like By Richard Henry Lee

James Madison, Esq.
    In the Assembly of VirginiaTRENTON, Nov, 26, 1784
Dear Sir -
[...]
It is certainly comfortable to know that the legislature of our country is engaged in beneficial pursuits, for I conceive that the general assessment and a digest of the moral laws are very important concerns; the one to secure our peace, and the other our morals. Refiners may weave reason into as fine a web as they please, but the experience of all times shows religion to be the guardian of morals; and he must be a very inattentive observer in our country, who does not see that avarice [(greed)] is accomplishing the destruction of religion, for want of a legal obligation to contribute something to its support. The declaration of rights, it seems to me, rather contends against forcing modes of faith and forms of worship in religious matters, than against compelling contribution for the support of religion in general. I fully agree with the Presbyterians that true freedom embraces the Mahometan [(Islam)] and the Gentoo [(Hindu)], as well as the Christian religion.
[...]

I am dear sir,
With great esteem and regard,
Your most obedient and very humble servant

RICHARD HENRY LEE

Richard Henry Lee. Memoir of the life of Richard Henry Lee. H.C. Carey and I. Lea. 1825

LETTERS OF A FEDERAL FARMER BY R.H. LEE

[...]
    On the whole, the position appears to me to be undeniable, that this bill of rights ought to be carried farther, and some other principles established, as a part of this fundamental compact between the people of the United States and their federal rulers.
    It is true, we are not disposed to differ much, at present, about religion; but when we are making a constitution, it is to be hoped, for ages and millions yet unborn, why not establish the free exercise of religion, as a part of the national compact.
[...]

Paul Leicester Ford. Pamphlets on the Constitution of the United States. B. Franklin. 1888

Brief Biography

Richard Henry Lee, (brother of Arthur Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, and great-grandfather of Blair Lee), a Delegate and a Senator from Virginia; born at “Stratford,” in Westmoreland County, Va., January 20, 1732; after a course of private instruction attended Wakefield Academy, England; returned in 1751; justice of the peace for Westmoreland County 1757; member, house of burgesses 1758-1775; Member of the Continental Congress 1774-1779; sponsor of the independence resolution; a signer of the Declaration of Independence; author of the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation issued by Congress at York, Pa., October 31, 1777; member, State house of delegates 1777, 1780, 1785; served as colonel of the Westmoreland Militia; again a Member of the Continental Congress 1784-1785 and 1787 and served as President of the Congress in 1784; member of the Virginia convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in 1788; elected to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1789, until his resignation October 8, 1792; served as President pro tempore during the Second Congress; retired from public life; died at his home, “Chantilly,” Westmoreland County, Va., June 19, 1794; interment in the old family burying ground at “Mount Pleasant,” near Hague, Westmoreland County, Va.