Benjamin Rush (1745-1813), was a physician, signer of the Declaration of Independence, "father of public schools" and a principle promoter of the American Sunday School Union.  He also served as the Surgeon General of the Continental Army, helped to write the Pennsylvania Constitution and was the treasurer of the U.S. Mint.  In 1786, Dr. Benjamin Rush established the first free medical clinic and later helped found the first American anti-slavery society.

In 1798, after the adoption of the Constitution, Benjamin Rush declared:

"The only foundation for... a republic is to be laid in Religion.  Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments." ¹

In his work, Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798, Dr. Benjamin Rush stated:

"I know there is an objection among many people to teaching children doctrines of any kind, because they are liable to be controverted.  But let us not be wiser than out Maker.  If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into all the world would have been unnecessary.  The perfect morality of the Gospel rests upon the doctrine which, though often controverted has never been refuted: I mean the vicarious life and death of the Son of God." ²

Benjamin Rush describe himself:

"I have alternately been called an Aristocrat and a Democrat.  I am neither.  I am a Chistocrat." ³

In writing to his wife during his final illness, Benjamin Rush wrote:

¹ 1798.  David Barton, The Wallbuilder Report (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder, Summer 1993), p. 3.

² Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical (1798, 2nd edition, 1806).  Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, OR: American Heritage Ministries, 1987), p. 388.

³ David Barton, Campaign letter for Joe Barton (Aledo, TX: WallBuilders, Inc., April 12, 1993).