Christianity and Civic Duty in Early America

The creation of the United States was established as constitutional republic without a national religion, yet many Americans in the early nineteenth century believed that Christianity was still critical to the nation’s success. Religious leaders contended that Christianity provide the moral character required for individuals and public authorities to govern themselves, rather than supporting a theocracy. The three primary sources used for this were Archibald Kenyon’s The Object and Principles of Civil Government, and the Duty of Christians Thereto; Samuel Kirkland Lothrop’s A Sermon Delivered Before His Excellency Emory Washburn; and George Washington Cullum’s Biographical Register of the Officers at West Point. The significance of how Christianity was seen as the moral cornerstone of the early American Republic is illustrated by these sources.

Kenyon’s argument provides one of the clearest explanations of civil-military relations, arguing that government is ordained by God to preserve justice, maintain peace and uphold the rule of law. He claims this “divine purpose” imposes civic duty upon Christians.[1] This includes obeying lawful authority, paying taxes, and praying for political leaders, all with the goal of achieving the common good. Kenyon recognizes that government authority is not absolute.[2] This implies that civil authorities owe the highest allegiance to God. This implication reflects a distinctly conservative view of limited government power; political authority stems from respect and is held accountable to something greater than mortal moral principles.

Samuel Kirkland Lothrop advances this argument by emphasizing the moral character required to sustain such a republic.[3] In his article, Lothrop addresses the governor and legislature of Massachusetts, arguing that the constitution and laws alone cannot preserve the union.[4] He identified Christian values as the root cause of these virtues. Natural law, above all, is the key to sustaining the moral habits required for self-government. Lathrop believes that removing the separation of church and state is the only way to govern.[5] This contention in his sermon exemplifies the 19th-century belief that liberty and Christian virtues were inextricably linked to ethical progress.

George Washington Cullum's Biographical Register of Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point is not a theological work, but rather an institutional example of the civil virtues required for servant leadership.[6] Cullum discusses the careers of West Point graduates and how they dedicated their lives to the profession of army officers.[7] The Cadets were dedicated to duty, discipline, and service to the nation.[8] These values closely match Kenyon and Lothrop's assertions. The register demonstrates that the principles of integrity, responsibility, and public service were more than just religious values; they were an American necessity. 

These sources, taken together, show that civil service and Christian values were more than just a means of governing a republic or enforcing the Constitution. These articles demonstrate how the professionalization of public service reflected the same values of duty, integrity, and adherence to natural law. The collections of these writings also show that many Americans in the Early Republic saw Christianity as a necessary framework for ensuring the survival of future generations.

Bibliography

Cullum, George Washington. Biographical register of the officers and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. : from its establishment, March 16, 1802, to the army re-organization of 1866-67. Vol. 2. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1868. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed July 14, 2026). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0106015910/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=c2830a31&pg=1.

Kenyon, Archibald. The object and principles of civil government, and the duty of Christians thereto : being a discourse preached before the West Baptist Church and Society August 11, 1842. Providence: Printed by B.T. Albro, 1842. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed July 14, 2026). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0102097195/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=9aa6d65f&pg=8.

Lothrop, Samuel Kirkland, Massachusetts. Governor, and Massachusetts. General Court. A sermon delivered before His Excellency Emory Washburn, governor, His Honor W[illia]m C. Plunkett, lieutenant-governor, the honorable Council and the legislature of Massachusetts : at the annual election, Wednesday, January 3, 1855. Boston: W. White, printer to the State, 1855. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed July 14, 2026). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0110530983/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=230ef26a&pg=7.

[1] “The Object and Principles of Civil Government, and the Duty of Christians Thereto : Being a Discourse Preached Before the West Baptist Church and Society August 11, 1842 - Document - Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926,” n.d., https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0102097195/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=9aa6d65f&pg=8.

[2] ibid

[3] “A Sermon Delivered Before His Excellency Emory Washburn, Governor, His Honor W[Illia]M C. Plunkett, Lieutenant-governor, the Honorable Council and the Legislature of Massachusetts : At the Annual Election, Wednesday, January 3, 1855 - Document - Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926,” n.d., https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0110530983/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=230ef26a&pg=7.

[4] ibid

[5] ibid

[6] Biographical register of the officers and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. : from its establishment, March 16, 1802, to the army re-organization of 1866-67. Vol. 2. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1868. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed July 14, 2026). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0106015910/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=c2830a31&pg=1.

[7] ibid

[8] ibid