From its infancy, the American vision was a family vision. Governor William Bradford tells us that our first founding fathers were motivated to establish the American colony, lifestyle and system of government for their children and children’s children. Our founding fathers dreamed mighty dreams for their family, dreams which they knew would be destroyed if their children were allowed ungodly patterns of socialization and influence. Bradford writes:

As necessity was a taskmaster over them, so they were forced to be such, not only to their servants (but in a sort) to their dearest children; the which as it did not a little wound the tender hearts of many a loving father and mother, so it produced likewise sundry sad and sorrowful effects. For many of their children that were of best dispositions and gracious inclinations (having learned to bear the yoke in their youth) and willing to bear part of their parents burden, were (often times) so oppressed with their heavy labors, that though their minds were free and willing, yet their bodies bowed under the weight of the same, and became decrepit in their early youth, the vigor of nature being consumed in the very bud as it were. But that which was more lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was that of their children, by these occasions, and the great licentiousness of youth in that country, and the manifold temptations of the place, were drawn away by evil examples into extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reins off their necks and departing from their parents. Some became soldiers, others took upon them far voyages by sea, and others some worse courses, tending to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls, to the great grief of their parents and dishonor of God. So that they saw their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted. Lastly, (and which was not least) a great hope, and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, (or at least to make some way thereunto) for the propagating and advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.

A half-century later, the great New England preacher and vice-president of Harvard, Samuel Willard (1639/40-1707), appealed to the youth of his generation to remember

The main errand which brought your fathers into this Wilderness was not only that they might themselves enjoy, but that they might settle for their children, and leave them in full possession of the free, pure, and uncorrupted liberties of the Covenant of Grace. They have made this profession openly to the world. Yea, let reason speak and say what else was there which could have tempted them to come into a land which was not sown, leaving the pleasant enjoyments of a good land, and of which many of them had a good share, running through so many hazards, wrestling with so many hardships, not expecting (and it would have seemed vain and presumptuous to have expected) any worldly advantage, or likelihood of any other compensation for such expenses as they were at, and difficulties they broke through, but only this? And if this were the portion they thought worth so much that they might have it to leave them, it concerns you to mind and regard it. It was their love to your souls that embarked them in this design, and it will be horrible ingratitude in you to slight it. You cannot neglect God’s Covenant, but you do withal cast reflections upon, and greatly undervalue, yea, and despise that work, which will be New England’s glory, and was so signally owned and abetted by God’s providence in the day of it; and will be unworthy heirs of your father’s estates, if you do not prosecute their begun designs.

Samuel Willard, Covenant-Keeping the Way to Blessedness (Boston, 1682), pp. 117-118