Roger Sherman, a distinguished Founding Father and a signer of the Constitution, was also a Christian theologian! His contributions to America were so great that he is one of those honored with a statue at the Capitol, located in East Central Hall.
William Samuel Johnson is also seated at the table in the painting. In addition to signing the Constitution, he was also a leading educator of his day, becoming the first president of Columbia (formerly King’s) College. In an exercise which we still practice today, Johnson was a speaker at a public graduation. Notice his words to the graduates:
David Barton tells us that this day. . . . have, by the favor of Providence and the attention of friends, received a public education, the purpose whereof hath been to qualify you the better to serve your Creator and your country. You have this day invited this audience to witness the progress you have made. . . . Thus you assume the character of scholars, of men, and of citizens. . . . Go, then, . . . and exercise them with diligence, fidelity, and zeal. . . . Your first great duties, you are sensible, are those you owe to Heaven, to your Creator and Redeemer. Let these be ever present to your minds, and exemplified in your lives and conduct. Imprint deep upon your minds the principles of piety towards God, and a reverence and fear of His holy name. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and its [practice] is everlasting [happiness]. . . . Reflect deeply and often upon [your] relations [with God]. Remember that it is in God you live and move and have your being, – that, in the language of David, He is about your bed and about your path and spieth out all your ways, – that there is not a thought in your hearts, nor a word upon your tongues, but lo! He knoweth them altogether, and that He will one day call you to a strict account for all your conduct in this mortal life.
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