Thomas Hooker: Founder of Connecticut. You read that correctly, and it is a historical fact that a Pastor founded the State of Connecticut and was influential in writing the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which some have called the world’s first written democratic constitution establishing a representative government.
So, let’s look at this remarkable man and his legacy to the church and the political foundation of American Democracy.
He, of course, was a pilgrim (one seeking freedom from tyranny) in England. Settling in the Netherlands briefly and then transitioning to the Massachusetts Colony for religious freedom as many Puritans did. He arrived in Boston and settled in Newton, Massachusetts, later renamed Cambridge. He became the Pastor of First Parish Church. His parish became known affectionately as “Mr. Hooker’s Company”.
He was a very influential speaker and forward thinker. A man who was unafraid to question the established rules of church or society. This led him to conflict with the famous minister of Boston, John Cotton.
I must remind the readers of the close association of church and politics in the 1600-1700’s of America’s founding. It was an easy transition for his pulpit to flow into society, seeking to correct the injustices of laws imposed by preference and fear, not truth and fact, whether in the church or society at large.
The main issue he dealt with was voting rights. In Massachusetts, voting rights were limited to freemen, i.e., individuals formally admitted to the church after a detailed and rigorous review of their religious views and experiences. He opposed this oppression of voting rights. This is what led him into opposition with John Cotton. After the disagreement, he and Rev. Samuel Stone led a group of settlers to travel through the Connecticut Valley and to form the town of Hartford, which was soon to be developed into the colony of Connecticut.
In May 1638, a General Court met to write a constitution for the new town and colony being formed. Pastor Hooker was politically active now since opposing the society’s rule of voting. He preached a sermon that espoused the idea of a Social Contract, stating that authority (state/governmental) was only granted with the people’s consent. On January 14, 1639, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were ratified, and this would be the first written constitution in America and a foundation for future founding documents, including the US Constitution. This document included the greater voting rights for individuals. It also had oaths of office, which the governor and magistrates were required to take. Both of these oaths included lines that said they would agree to…” promote the public good and peace of the same, according to the best of my skill, as also will maintain all lawful privileges of this Commonwealth: as also that all wholesome cases that are or shall be made by lawful authority here established, be duly executed; and will further the execution of Justice according to the rule of God’s word.
So, again, the term separation of church and state was a very thin line if it even existed, especially in the interpretation of the last 40 years of lawyers seeking to separate religion from public life in America. The influence of Christian ministers in our country’s founding is really without dispute for any serious person reading the accurate history of our founding. I hope and pray that, somehow, our kids can once again learn about the incredible people who were instrumental in the birthing and building of this great nation. May God grant us a reprieve from social engineering and bring some solid civics and true history back to our classrooms and Universities.
Until Next Week…
ALLEN
