The Bible Lessons of John Quincy Adams for His Son

Historian David McCullough has described President John Quincy Adams as one of the most principled and certainly most intelligent men ever to occupy the White House. Born in 1767, Adams entered his country s service while a mere lad as secretary to the Russian Embassy and remained through life a public servant, filling successively the posts of secretary, ambassador, United States Senator, Secretary of State, President, and finally Representative in Congress. This station he filled from 1831 until the moment of his death, while rising to address Congress on February 23, 1848. However, all of these remarkable achievements are secondary to his role as father. Though a busy man, Adams made it his priority to study the Bible and to train his son to love God s Holy Word. His example stands out for all men as a shepherd who loved his family flock."