In God We Trust

"In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Psalm 56:11

The familiar motto, "In God We Trust," which appears on America's currency - has a somewhat odd and interesting history.

Its appearance is due directly to a Maryland farmer who, in November 1861, wrote to the then Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase, stating that since the country claimed to be a God-fearing, Christian people, they might make at least some recognition of the Lord on their coinage.

Chase referred the letter to James Pollock, director of the U.S. Mint, for serious consideration and immediately proposed two mottos, "Our Country, Our God" - and "God Our Trust".

Chase had the matter presented to the Congress at their next session, which was in 1862, but nothing was done about it. Again the following year it was brought up, but still nothing was done.

The country, at that time, was wracked by civil war. The national spirit was slowly ebbing and nearing a crisis. Realizing this, Chase made one last appeal in 1864. He offered the motto "God Our Trust" as his chief argument.

"It is taken from our national hymn, "The Star Spangled Banner," he said, "and is a sentiment familiar to every citizen of our country - it has thrilled millions of American freemen. The time is propitious. Now in this time of national peril, our strength and salvation must be of God."

Secretary Chase won his plea. The Congress authorized the coining of a two-cent piece upon which was to be stamped the motto "In God We Trust" in place of the "E Pluribus Unum" (both mottos are now included). The following year, on March 3, 1865, the Director of the mint was further authorized to place the new motto on all gold and silver coins, thus fulfilling the words of Francis Scott Key in his poem:
"Then conquer we must,
when our cause it is just,
and this be our motto,
'In God is our trust."