John Jay

As a child, I lived for a number of years near a high school named after "some famous guy" named John Jay. Honestly, I never knew anything about "John Jay" nor did I really care at the time. That said, years later, it must be said that I do like history and learning about famous people and so an article I saw earlier today in a magazine I was reading caught my eye. "John Jay: An American Wilberforce?"

Cool. I like Wilberforce and have read about him. This John Jay guy must be interesting too!

So I read the article. Very nice. I have decided I'd like to learn more about this Mr. John Jay, apparently a contemporary of Wilberforce, and a Chief Justice of the US in its infancy.

Here is a quote of his, as found in the article with some context. I loved it particularly because it reiterates a lesson I'm currently learning - that is to trust my sovereign God to take care of His business. My job is to follow His lead - He'll accomplish what He has set out to do.

"In 1785, while serving as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Confederation Congress, Jay lobbied in New York State for gradual abolition of slavery, but a bill passed by both the Assembly and Senate was vetoed. To console himself, he wrote: '[all that wise and good men can do is] to persevere indoing their duty to their country and leave the consequences to him who made men only; neither elated by success, however great, nor discouraged by disappointments however frequent or mortifying.'"