The Invisible Hand Which Conducts the Affairs of Men

 

As we celebrate our nation’s 250^th birthday, I’d like to consider some of the men who’ve led us thus far, and the words they spoke in acknowledgement of the God who orchestrated each one’s place in history. 

Here are a few excerpts from notable inaugural speeches:

 From speech number one, given on April 30, 1789, by our first president, George Washington:

Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. 

The above passage is included in the second paragraph of Washington’s very long, literary speech. Upon his re-election, the inaugural offering was in its entirety thirty-one words shorter than this one excerpt. Nothing else to say? New speech writer? Less reliance on the Almighty Being? I’ll leave such judgement to the historians.

The next president moved the acknowledgement of God to the end of his speech, and there it remained in several future speeches. Here are the words John Adams spoke on Inauguration Day, March 4, 1797:

And may that Being who is supreme over all, the Patron of Order, the Fountain of Justice, and the Protector in all ages of the world of virtuous liberty, continue His blessing upon this nation and its Government and give it all possible success and duration consistent with the ends of His providence.

From Thomas Jefferson, March 4, 1801:

Relying, then, on the patronage of your good will, I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make. And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.

From James Madison, March 4, 1809 

In these my confidence will under every difficulty be best placed, next to that which we have all been encouraged to feel in the guardianship and guidance of that Almighty Being whose power regulates the destiny of nations, whose blessings have been so conspicuously dispensed to this rising Republic, and to whom we are bound to address our devout gratitude for the past, as well as our fervent supplications and best hopes for the future.

Here’s an excerpt from the middle of Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural speech, March 4, 1861:

If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, with His eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail by the judgment of this great tribunal of the American people.

And from the middle of Lincoln’s second inaugural speech, March 4, 1865:

Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes… […]

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

No intent of any political movement could be as difficult as the one Lincoln faced as president. No citizen denied due rights has suffered under the law, or required freedom by the law, as were the people of that time. No internal battle in our nation has been comparable. Of course, that could change. And perhaps it is changing now. The change may appear to happen quickly, but a change in the heart of a nation happens gradually, almost imperceivably.

 What about the more recent inaugural addresses? How did these leaders of the modern world acknowledge God? The following quotes do not include every vague quote of a Bible verse or saint, or every reference to faith or religion. The new manner of speeches will never match the poetry and persuasion of the old. I’ve only extracted the passages that cite God. The words may or may not suppose the God our founding fathers called upon or recognize Him as paramount to our nation’s existence.

From Barak Obama, January 20, 2009:

…the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. […]

 This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.  […]

…with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations. Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.

From Barak Obama, January 21, 2013:

For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth.  […]

We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.  […]

That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. […]

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction.  […]

God bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America. 

From Donald J. Trump, January 20 2017:

The Bible tells us, “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”  […]

There should be no fear – we are protected, and we will always be protected. We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we are protected by God. 

From Joseph Biden, January 20, 2021:

My fellow Americans, I close the day where I began, with a sacred oath before God and all of you. […]

May God bless America and may God protect our troops.

From Donald J. Trump, January 20, 2025:  

We will not forget our country, we will not forget our Constitution, and we will not forget our God.  […]

We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God.  

Whether God is mentioned or not, revered or forgotten, beseeched or ignored within a new president’s inaugural speech, there is no limiting God’s presence. Or His intervention. Or His blessing. Presidents are only men, perhaps one day a woman, chosen by God for a time and purpose. God is not stilled by a man’s words, nor by a nation’s dismissal. No president is appointed outside of God’s will. Not one is a mistake.

Of course, not every Inauguration Day address can be included, but here’s one more:

From the beginning of Dwight Eisenhower’s address, January 20, 1953:

My friends, before I begin the expression of those thoughts that I deem appropriate to this moment, would you permit me the privilege of uttering a little private prayer of my own. And I ask that you bow your heads:

Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the Executive branch of Government join me in beseeching that Thou will make full and complete our dedication to the service of the people in this throng, and their fellow citizens everywhere.

Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race or calling.

May cooperation be permitted and be the mutual aim of those who, under the concepts of our Constitution, hold to differing political faiths; so that all may work for the good of our beloved country and Thy glory. Amen.