Since the earliest days of the United States, those charged with leading the nation have found wisdom and courage in God's Word. In the spirit of Presidents' Day, we offer the following words from those who would have been in frequent need of a steady and trustworthy guide.

“Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection ...” — George Washington

“The Bible carries with it the history of the creation, the fall and redemption of man, and discloses to him, in the infant born at Bethlehem, the legislator and savior of the world.” — John Quincy Adams, addressing the American Bible Society

“We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government ... according to the Ten Commandments of God.” — James Madison

“That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests.” — Andrew Jackson on his deathbed, referring to the Bible

“In regard to the Great Book, I have only to say that it is the best Book that God has given to man.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Almost every man who by his life's work added to the sum of human achievement of which the race is proud has based his life work largely upon the teachings of the Bible.. ” — Theodore Roosevelt

“When you have read the Bible, you know it is the word of God, because it is the key to your heart, your own happiness and your own duty.” — “Woodrow Wilson