AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR PREACHERS

[Chaplain Thomas Gilbert Cole]

--- On Sat, 2/23/13, Neil Turner <[e-mail]> wrote:

Subject: In 1775, A well regulated MILITIA was the arms-bearing CITIZENRY! (There was no 'Army', and there was no 'National Guard')
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013, 3:56 PM

Citizens for the Constitution (and a ‘Well regulated Militia’);

February 23, 2013

 

www.TinyURL.com/1775CitizenMilitia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty0HDXPsHtc&list=PL2D6A2E79C863C...

 

 

In Liberty and In Truth.

 

Neil B. Turner

Citizens for the Constitution

[e-mail]

 

A Call to Boldness: American Revolutionary Preachers

by Ernie on August 18, 2010

Colonial America’s preachers were mighty in word.  Few generations have produced a host of men who resembled, in their divine calling, the words of Isaiah: “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth….”(Isaiah 6:6-7).  Fearless in spirit, commissioned to faithfully speak and apply God’s law and gospel, God’s true servant is a ministering flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7).  Such a man was Gad Hitchcock. 

Gad was born in western Massachusetts and attended Harvard to prepare for the ministry.  From the very outset of his ministry he displayed remarkable gifts in biblical, literary, and political understanding.  His eloquence in oratory, coupled with his deep and knowledgeable grasp of a Christ-centered classical education, made him the essence of God-called preacher.  Though much sought after by larger and wealthier congregations, Gad rejected these calls and continued to minister at a Congregationalist church in Pembroke, just outside Boston.  In the providence of God, this geographical location was to provide him an opportunity to be recorded in the American Revolutionary Preacher’s Hall of Fame.

Opportunity came knocking in 1774.  With such talents as Gad’s, it came as no surprise that he was asked to give the annual Election Day Sermon.  What he didn’t know is that the newly (King George) appointed Governor of Massachusetts, General Thomas Gage, along with fresh shiploads of His Majesty’s troops who came for the express purpose of bending “those rebels” to their Majesty’s pleasure, would be attending.  Undaunted by the multitude of unexpected enemies sitting in the Church, daring Gad to cower in fear, he boldly announced his text: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2Proverbs 29:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. in...: or, increased

WP-Bible plugin).  Increasing in fervor as he went along, here is a trumpet blast from the man of God:

“Our danger is not visionary, but real—Our contention is not about trifles, but about liberty and property; and not ours only, but those of posterity, to the latest generations. And every lover of mankind will allow that these are important objects, too inestimably precious and valuable enjoyments to be treated with neglect, and tamely surrendered…. If I am mistaken in supposing plans are formed, and executing, subversive of our natural, and charter rights, and privileges, and incompatible with every idea of liberty, all America is mistaken with me. Our continued complaints—Our repeated, humble, but fruitless, unregarded petitions and remonstrances—and if I may be allowed the sacred allusion, our groanings, which cannot be uttered, are at once indications of our sufferings, and the feeling sense we have of them.  We sincerely hope, and trust, the elections of this day will turn on men, who shall be disposed in their proper department to restore and establish our rights…. Men, in every view, friendly to the constitution of government in this province, and resolved to maintain it, undiminished, and entire…. But above all, suffer me to remind you, that you act for God, and under his inspection, by whose providence, this trust is committed to you—and that you must one day give an account to Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, of the motives of your conduct.”

*BLACK ROBED REGIMENTS