In the inception of our nation, Pastors played a key role. Unfortunately, that is often overlooked in the annals of recorded history. This week, I want to focus on that role as recorded in history from various sources.
The reason perhaps that their influence is not given the prominence it deserves is because it was not an organized force that could be numbered, and neither was it set forth with a list of goals to be achieved.
However, the pulpits of colonial America were the voice of opposition to loyalty to the Crown. In fact, King George III said, “This colonial opposition is nothing but a Parsons (pastors) rebellion.”
Independence was boldly preached from scripture in all of the 13 original colonies. The address from the pulpits brought about enthusiasm, and their prayers caused courage to arise in the hearts of the congregants.
These humble Pastor’s produced the minute-men, who took to arms against the tyranny of the King. The first army of the American Revolution was birthed in the hearts of these men from continual exhortation to resist oppression. The battle of Bunker Hill was the first, and the battle at Lexington and Concord sounded the battle cry of these men to take up arms.
One great example of Pulpit Polity was the preaching of Pastor Peter von Muhlenberg, who was known as “the fighting parson of the American Revolution.” He was the Pastor of the German/English-speaking Episcopal Church in Woodstock, Virginia. He had received a circular letter from General George Washington requesting that military regiments be raised for the army. His famous Sunday sermon was taken out of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. At the end of his message, he made an appeal to the congregation by stating that “there is at time for war and a time for peace, there is a time to pray and a time to fight.” He then pulled off his clerical robe, and underneath, he was wearing the uniform of a colonel in the Continental Army. His parishioners readily enrolled in the army. He served for eight years.
In 1774, the First Provincial Congress of Massachusetts gave credit and appreciation to the Pulpit ministry as loyal friends of civil and religious freedom. Their address to the clergy is as follows.
“Reverend Sirs: When we contemplate the friendship and assistance of our ancestors, the first settlers of this province (while overwhelmed with distress), received from the pious Pastors of the churches of Christ, who, to enjoy the rights of conscience, fled with them into this land, then a savage wilderness, we find ourselves filled with the most grateful sensations. And we cannot but acknowledge the goodness of Heaven in constantly supplying us with preachers of the gospel whose concern has been in the temporal and spiritual happiness of the people. In a day like this, when all the friends of civil and religious liberty are exerting themselves to deliver this country from its present calamities, we cannot but place great hopes in an order of men who have ever distinguished themselves in their country’s cause; and do, therefore recommend to the ministers of the gospel in the several towns and other places in the colony, that they assist us in avoiding that dreadful slavery with which we now are threatened, by advising the people of their several congregations, as they wish their prosperity, to abide by, and strictly adhere to, the resolutions of the Continental Congress,” at Philadelphia, in October of 1174, “as the most peaceable and probable method in preventing confusion and bloodshed, and of restoring that harmony between Great Britain and these colonies, on which we wish might be established not only the rights and liberties of America, but the lasting happiness of the whole British empire.
Resolved, That the foregoing address be presented to all the ministers of the gospel in the province.”
So, as you can see, there was no conflict between church and state. The Pastors were respected and received as viable instruments to help in the massive changes that were occurring in the colonies.
In closing, I am providing a list of titles of the numerous ELECTION SERMONS that were preached throughout the colonies during the American Revolution:
- Government corrupted by Vice, and recovered by Righteousness. A sermon preached by Samuel Langdon, D.D. President of Harvard College in Cambridge.
- The Sermon preached before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House Representatives, of the State of Massachusetts-Bay in New England at Boston, May 27, 1778.
- A Sermon preached before the Honorable Council, and Honorable House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts-Bay New England, May 31, 1780, by Simeon Howard, A.M.Pastor of West Church in Boston
- The United State elevated to Glory and Honor. A Sermon, preached before His Excellency Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., L.L. D. Governor and Commandeering Chief, and the Honorable Assembly of the State of Connecticut, convened at Hartford, at the Anniversary Election, May 8th 1783. By Ezra Stiles, D.D., President of Yale College.
These sermons were spoken directly to the need for character in civil government. You can look them up online and read them for yourself. Again, now amazing that secular culture, if you will, was open to the spiritual guidance and input directed to the culture of the day!
Happy Reading!
Pastor Allen Cook
Grace Ministries International
Brentwood NH
Pulpit Polity is a regular Sunday morning feature on GraniteGrok.com.
