Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s December 11, 1802. I’m in a classroom with President Thomas Jefferson. He has authored the first plan of education for Washington, D.C., public schools.
“Mr. President, what textbooks are you recommending for the classroom?”
“Mr. Gillespie, besides the sublime teachings of the Bible, I highly recommend the Isaac Watts hymnal which has beautiful songs like “Joy to the World” and many other great hymns for students to learn.”
Today many believe Thomas Jefferson created a wall of separation between church and state; the founding fathers teach us that nothing could be further from the truth.
Read more about Thomas Jefferson’s view of church and state and the hymns of Isaac Watts.
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
