Are we a “city upon a hill”?

• George Washington: “Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.”
• John Adams: “The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a greater Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty”
• Sam Adams: “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.”
• Richard Henry Lee: “The happiness of America will be secured, at least so long as it continues to be virtuous, and when we cease to be virtuous we shall not be happy.”
• James Madison: “Virtue is the vital principle of a republic, and it cannot long exist without frugality, probity, and strictness of morals.”
• Benjamin Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”

Ronald Reagan frequently invoked the imagery of a “city upon a hill.” It originated from the Gospel of Mathew (5:14) where Jesus said “You are the light of the world. A city upon a hill cannot be hidden.” The metaphor was echoed by John Winthrop in 1630, in a sermon titled “A Model of Christian Charity,” and was used to describe the new society he and his fellow Puritans aimed to build.

For Reagan, to be “a city upon a hill” meant that the United States would be a beacon of freedom and prosperity.  We would achieve this by building a strong economy through lower taxes and fostering a business-friendly environment. We would strengthen the military. We would emphasize individualism and personal responsibility.

These ideas were not what either Jesus or Winthrop had in mind.

Jesus taught that his followers should live as visible examples of morality and integrity, embodying the values of love, humility, forgiveness, compassion, and mercy.

Winthrop envisioned the new community as a model of religious virtue and social harmony, guided by the core principles of mercy and justice.

The original vision of being a “city upon a hill” seems so distant now that we hardly mourn its loss. Yet, these ideals were very much alive for the founders, who believed that moral leadership was essential for a stable and prosperous nation. They argued that leaders should exemplify virtue, integrity, and self-discipline, both in public office and in private life, acting as role models whose character would shape and inspire that of the citizens.