Four Simple Words

“Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. “ – Psalm 32:10
 

In America, there are four consistent words on every coin and every dollar in your purse or wallet. I’m sure I don’t need to state them here, but I will just to ensure that we are all on the same page.  “In God We Trust”

The original 2c piece from 1864
first inscribed with
"In God We Trust"

It is evidenced by the sheer number of atheists and non-believers in America though that it is not a pre-requisite to believe these words in order to participate in the economy of this great country. How many times do we simply reach into our pocket and take out that crumpled up dollar bill or five spot and hand it over to another individual as payment for goods or services, without even considering what is on the piece of paper? There is no legal obligation to believe the words written on the US currency in order to spend the money, but I do believe it is important to understand how it got there.


 In 1862, Treasury Secretary, Salmon P. Chase published his annual report in which he was quoted:

“The distinct and unequivocal recognition of the divine sovereignty in the practical administration of our political system is a duty of the highest obligation. History unites with divine revelation in declaring that “happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” In the. exercise of political sovereignty our nation should honor him ; and now, in this hour of peril and danger to our country and its liberties, it is becoming to acknowledge his power and invoke his protection… The adoption on our coin of the motto “ God our trust,” or some other words expressive of national reliance upon divine support, would accord fully with the sentiment of the American people, and it would add to the artistic appearance of  the coins.”

And so began his quest to change the currency in the US to include the words, “In God We Trust”.  In 1863 he made a follow up request of Congress.
“I would respectfully and earnestly ask the attention of the Department to the proposition in my former report, to introduce a motto upon our coins expressive of a National reliance on Divine protection, and a distinct and unequivocal National recognition of the Divine Sovereignty. We claim to be a Christian Nation — why should we not vindicate our character by honoring the God of Nations in the exercise of our political Sovereignty as a Nation ? Our national coinage should do this. It's legends and devices should declare our trust in God — in Him who is the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”… “ God our Trust,” is taken from our National Hymn, the “Star-Spangled Banner.” The sentiment is familiar to every citizen of our country — it has thrilled the hearts and fallen in song from the lips of millions of American Freemen.”


Finally, in his 1864 Annual Report, he discussed succeeding in getting it passed by an Act of Congress to include the motto on the 1c and 2c coins, because there was no eagle on the back side.  This loop-hole in the 1837 coinage act allowed for the Secretary of Treasury to control the image on the back of the coin as long as it did not have an eagle or double eagle (gold and sliver coins) on it.

“The motto, “In God we trust,” stamped upon this coin, has been highly approved by the public, not only as improving the artistic beauty of the piece, but also as expressive of our nation’s reliance upon the “ God of Nations’’ in this hour of  peril and danger.
Why should this distinct and unequivocal recognition of the sovereignty of God, of Him who is “the King of kings, and Lord of lords” be confined to our bronze coinage ? The silver and the gold are His, and upon it should be impressed by national authority, the declaration of our nation’s trust in Him, “who maketh war to cease unto the ends of the earth, who stilleth the raging of the sea, and the tumult of the people.” Let our nation, in its coinage, honor Him, in whom is our strength and salvation.”

By the end of 1865, Salmon P. Chase, had convincingly worked to institute an Act of Congress to also get this included on the Silver and Gold coins.

By the 5th Section of the Act of Congress of March 3d, 1865. already referred to, the Director of the Mint, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, was authorized to place upon all the gold and silver coins of the United States, susceptible of such addition, thereafter to be issued, the motto, “ In God we trust.”

It took another 91 years to complete the task though.  In the 84^th Congress, under President Eisenhower, approved “In God We Trust” as our US official motto and that it be printed on all US Currency.   

“Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of  America in Congress assembled, That the national motto of the United States is hereby declared to be “In God We Trust”.  Approved July 30, 1956.  P.L. 84-851

So, when you think about the phrase being on our currency, realize that it is much more than just four words in print. It is the official national motto for the United States of America. Can you imagine if these petitions and bills were brought before our Congress today?  I fear that in our current governmental state that this entire idea would be denied. The anti-Christian movement in the US is accelerating at unheard of rates.  Just this last week, a proposal to remove “so help you God” from a witnesses oath before Congressional hearings.  Many schools and Government buildings have removed, “In God We Trust” signs.  Police are ridiculed and targeted for having “In God We Trust” stickers on their squad cars.

When this phrase was decided as our Nations Motto, it was truly believed and treasured.  Men and women were willing to stand up and strongly represent in a very public way that America is a country founded on Christian beliefs and principles.  There are adversaries here today though that are intent on altering that course of our history.  What are we going to do about it?

Join with me in standing firm with pride for our countries national motto and the men and women who had enough vision to know that a nation without God will surely fall. Be blessed my friends.





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