Thomas McKean was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a President of Congress, a Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, a Governor of Pennsylvania, and a Governor of Delaware. While serving on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1778 he heard the case of Respublica v. John Roberts. Roberts was sentenced to death after a jury found him guilty of treason. A few days before his execution, Chief Justice McKean called Roberts to appear before him and issued the following stern words of advice:
You will probably have
but a short time to live. Before you launch into eternity, it behooves you to
improve the time that may be allowed you in this world: it behooves you most
seriously to reflect upon your past conduct; to repent of your evil deeds; to
be incessant in prayers to the great and merciful God to forgive your manifold
transgressions and sins; to teach you to rely upon the merit and passion of a
dear Redeemer, and thereby to avoid those regions of sorrow – those doleful
shades where peace and rest can never dwell, where even hope cannot enter. It
behooves you to seek the fellowship, advice, and prayers of pious and good men;
to be persistent at the Throne of Grace, and to learn the way that leadeth to
happiness. May you, reflecting upon these things, and pursuing the will of the
great Father of light and life, be received into the company and society of angels
and archangels and the spirits of just men made perfect; and may you be
qualified to enter into the joys of Heaven – joys unspeakable and full of glory!
Though 236 years old, these wise words still serve
as sound advice for us who are alive today.
McKean was a man with impeccable credentials to speak to the bedrock
issues of life. And he did not hesitate
to use his position of great prominence as a platform to speak wisdom to those
in need.
America today desperately requires leaders with
similar character and courage who are determined to lead our nation in a
direction God can bless.
