What They Believed

James Madison Because the policy of the bill is adverse to the diffusion of the light of Christianity. The first wish of those who ought to enjoy this precious gift, ought to be, that it may be imparted to the whole race of mankind. Compare the number of those who have as yet received it, with the number still remaining under the dominions of false religions and how small is the former! Does the policy of this bill tend to lessen the disproportion? No; it at once discourages those who are strangers to the light of Truth from coming into the regions of it…


James Madison
Fourth President of the United States
in a speech to the General Assembly of Virginia, 1785



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