Emma Willard (February 23, 1787-April 15, 1870) was an American educator and historian. She was a leader in the movement to provide higher education among women. Emma Willard was born in Berlin, Connecticut and began teaching at the age of sixteen. She was married to John Willard in 1809 and with his help she established a girl's boarding school and later a girl's seminary at Middleton, Vermont. The seminary was moved to New York and became the Emma Willard School. She wrote many successful books and later built a school for women in Athens, Greece.
In 1843, American historian Emma Willard wrote:
<The government of the United States is acknowledged by the wise and good of other nations, to be the most free, impartial, and righteous government of the world; but all agree, that for such a government to be sustained for many years, the principles of truth and righteousness, taught in the Holy Scriptures, must be practiced. The rulers must govern in the fear of God, and the people obey the laws.> 1787EW001
In commenting on the United States, Emma Willard stated:
<In observing the United States, there is much to convince us, that an Almighty, Overruling Providence, designed from the first, to place here a great, united people.> 1787EW002
In 1857, Emma Willard published a book for children titled, Morals for the Young: or, Good Principles Instilling Wisdom. In it she stated:
<My Dear Children and Youth:-
Since, then, wisdom teaches us to rate everything at its just value, it is wise to seek the favor and fear the frown of God, rather than to seek the favor, and fear the frown of men .... Look upon a Savior's cross...ask pardon...and the Holy Spirit's guidance...receive the Christian's armor.> 1787EW003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1787EW001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Emma Willard. The World Book Encyclopedia, 18 vols. (Chicago, IL: Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957; W.F. Quarrie and Company, 8 vols., 1917; World Book, Inc., 22 vols., 1989), Vol. 18, p. 8776. Emma Willard, History of the United States, 1843. Rosalie J. Slater, Teaching and Learning America's Christian History (San Francisco: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1980), p. 83. Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles, "The Providential Perspective" (Charlottesville, VA: The Providence Foundation, P.O. Box 6759, Charlottesville, Va. 22906, January 1994), Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 3. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 9.23.
1787EW002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Emma Willard. History of the United States or, Republic of America. Stephen McDowell and Mark Beliles, "The Providential Perspective" (Charlottesville, VA: The Providence Foundation, P.O. Box 6759, Charlottesville, Va. 22906, January 1994), Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 2.
1787EW003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Willard, Emma. Morals for the Young: or, Good Principles Instilling Wisdom. Carole G. Adams, Education for a Christian Republic (San Francisco, CA: The American Christian Prompter, 1993), Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 4.