“Let it then be distinctly stated and fearlessly maintained IN THE FIRST PLACE, that every member of this Christian nation, from the highest to the lowest, ought to serve the Lord with fear, and yield his sincere homage to the Son of God. Every ruler should be an avowed and a sincere friend of Christianity. He should know and believe the doctrines of our holy religion, and act in conformity with its precepts. This he ought to do; because as a man he is required to serve the Lord; and as a public ruler he is called upon by divine authority to ‘kiss the Son.’

The commandment contained in Proverbs iii. 6. ‘in all thy ways acknowledge him,’ includes public as well as private ways, and political no less than domestic ways. It is addressed equally to the man who rules, and to the person who is subject to authority. If we may not disown our God and Saviour in any situation, it will follow that we are to own him in every situation.

Infinite wisdom has taught us, that he who ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. No Christian can gainsay this decision. Let all then admit, that our civil rulers ought to act a religious part in all the relations which they sustain. Indeed, they ought pre-eminently to commit their way unto the Lord that he may direct their steps; delight themselves in him, and wait patiently for him; because by their example, if good, they can do more good than private, less known citizens; and if evil, more harm. Their official station is a talent entrusted to them for usefulness, for which they must give account to their Maker. They are like a city set on a hill, which cannot be hid; and it is a fact indisputable, that wickedness in high places does more harm than in obscurity.” — Ezra Stiles Ely, The Duty of Christian Freemen to Elect Christian Rulers: A Discourse Delivered on the Fourth of July,1827, in the Seventh Presbyterian Church, in Philadelphia (1828), pp. 4-5