JAY,
JOHN
(December 12, 1745–May 17, 1829), was the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, having been appointed by President George Washington. He was a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses and served as the President of the Continental Congress. He was very instrumental in causing the Constitution to be ratified, by writing the Federalist Papers, along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. In 1777, John Jay helped to write the Constitution of New York, and from 1795–1801 held the position of Governor of the State of New York.
On December 23, 1776, in an address before the New York Convention, John Jay urged:
Let a general reformation of manners take place—let universal charity, public spirit, and private virtue be inculcated, encouraged, and practiced. Unite in preparing for a vigorous defense of your country, as if all depended on your own exertions. And when you have done all things, then rely upon the good Providence of Almighty God for success, in full confidence that without his blessings, all our efforts will inevitably fail …
The holy gospels are yet to be preached to these western regions, and we have the highest reason to believe that the Almighty will not suffer slavery and the gospel to go hand in hand. It cannot, it will not be.1302
In 1777, in a charge to the Grand Jury of Ulster County, New York, John Jay, explained:
The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favoured with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.1303
On September 3, 1783, John Jay, along with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, signed the Treaty of Paris, ratified by Congress January 14, 1784, which officially ended the War with the British:
In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent Prince George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, … and of the United States of America, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences. … Done at Paris, this third day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.
D. Hartley
John Adams
B. Franklin
John Jay.1304
John Jay was Secretary of Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation; U.S. Minister to Spain; and, in 1794, authored the Jay Treaty which prevented the United States from getting involved in the war between France and England. On April 15, 1794, John Jay wrote to his wife, Sally, from England:
If it should please God to make me an instrument to the continuation of peace, and in preventing the effusion of blood and other evils and miseries incident to war, we shall both have reason to rejoice. Whatever may be the event, the endeavour will be virtuous, and consequently consolatory. Let us repose unlimited trust in our Maker; it is our business to adore and to obey.1305
On May 28, 1802, John Jay wrote to his children after his wife Sally’s death:
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? … Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. … Death is swallowed up in victory. (I Corinthians 15)1306
In a letter to John Bristed, April 23, 1811, John Jay recounted a conversation he had with several atheists:
I was at a large party, of which were several of that description. They spoke freely and contemptuously of religion. I took no part in the conversation. In the course of it, one of them asked me if I believed in Christ. I answered that I did, and that I thanked God that I did.
He [an atheist] was a sedate, decent man. I frequently observed him drawing the conversation towards religion, and I constantly gave it another direction. He, nevertheless, during one of his visits, very abruptly remarked that there was no God, and he hoped the time would come when there would be no religion in the world.
I very concisely remarked that if there was no God there could be no moral obligations, and I did not see how society could subsist without them.1307
On January 1, 1813, John Jay penned a letter to Jedediah Morse regarding voting:
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 attachments to Ahab (‘Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord?’ 2 Chron. 19:2) affords a salutary lesson. …
Although the mere expediency of public measures may not be a proper subject for the pulpit, yet, in my opinion, it is the right and duty of our pastors to press the observance of all moral and religious duties, and to animadvert on every course of conduct which may be repugnant to them. … 1308
On October 12, 1816, John Jay admonished:
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.1309
On April 15, 1818, John Jay wrote to his Quaker friend, John Murry:
[Natural Laws and Morality are] given by the Sovereign of the Universe to all mankind. … Being founded by infinite wisdom and goodness on essential right, which never varies, it can require no amendment or alteration.
It is true that the law was given to Moses, not however in his individual or private capacity, but as the agent or instrument, and by the authority of the Almighty. The law demanded exact obedience, and proclaimed: “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” The law was inexorable, and by requiring perfect obedience, under a penalty so inevitable and dreadful, operated as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ for mercy.
Legal punishments are adjusted and inflicted by the law and magistrate, and not by unauthorized individuals. These and all other positive laws or ordinances established by Divine direction, must of necessity be consistent with the moral law.
It certainly was not the design of the law or ordinance in question, to encourage a spirit of personal or private revenge. On the contrary, there are express injunctions in the law of Moses which inculcate a very different spirit.1310
In addition to being appointed by President George Washington as the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Jay was also elected president of the Westchester Bible Society in 1818 and president of the American Bible Society in 1821. On May 13, 1824, while serving as its president, John Jay gave an address to the American Bible Society:
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 degradation 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 shall 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 of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.1311
John Jay stated:
In forming and settling my belief relative to the doctrines of Christianity, I adopted no articles from creeds but such only as, on careful examination, I found to be confirmed by the Bible. … At a party in Paris, once, the question fell on religious matters. In the course of it, one of them asked me if I believed in Christ? I answered that I did, and that I thanked God that I did.1312
Let a general reformation of manners take place—let universal charity, public spirit, and private virtue be inculcated, encouraged, and practiced. United in preparing for a vigorous defence of your country, as if all depended on your own exertions. And when you have done all things, then rely upon the good Providence of Almighty God for success, in full confidence that without His blessings, all our efforts will inevitably fail.1313
John Jay’s comments on Scripture reflect a life of intense study, which can be seen, not only in his early upbringing, but also in his admission to King’s College in New York at the age of fourteen, the requirements of which included translating the first ten chapters of the Gospel of John from Greek into Latin.1314 John Jay gave his understanding of God:
God is great, and therefore He will be sought: He is good, and therefore He will be found.
If in the day of sorrow we own God’s presence in the cloud, we shall find Him also in the pillar of fire, brightening and cheering our way as the night comes on.
In all His dispensations God is at work for our good,—In prosperity He tries our gratitude; in mediocrity, our contentment; in misfortune, our submission; in darkness, our faith; under temptation, our steadfastness, and at all times, our obedience and trust in Him.
God governs the world, and we have only to do our duty wisely, and leave the issue to Him.1315
In 1826, John Jay was sent a letter from the Corporation of the City of New York, asking him to join with them in the celebration of America’s fiftieth anniversary. John Jay replied, expressing his:
Earnest hope that the peace, happiness, and prosperity enjoyed by our beloved country may induce those who direct her national counsels to recommend a general and public return of praise to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend.1316
In his address to the Committee of the Corporation of the City of New york, June 29, 1826, at eighty years of age, John Jay stated:
The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is, always to remember with reverence and gratitude the Source from which they flow.1317
In his Last Will and Testament, John Jay wrote:
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.
He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children.
His protection has accompanied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; and his providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation, but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful.
Blessed be His Holy Name. While my children lament my departure, let them recollect that in doing them good, I was only the agent of their Heavenly Father, and that He never withdraws His care and consolations from those who diligently seek Him.1318
On May 17, 1829, John Jay was drawing near death after a life of serving his country. As recorded by his son, Judge William Jay, John Jay was asked if he had any words for his children, to which he responded:
They have the Book.1319
John Jay is recorded as having stated:
I would have my funeral decent, but not ostentatious, no scarfs, no ring. Instead thereof, I give $200 to any one poor deserving widow or orphan of this town whom by children shall select.1320
John Jay’s son, William Jay, who wrote his father’s biography, described him as:
A rare but interesting picture of the Christian patriot and statesman.1321