Fifty-Six Signers
I love history. And I love America! Thought I'd share a little of both as we celebrate Independence Day.
We live in a a day and age where we almost have to defend our patriotism. I'm certainly not suggesting that America is above reproach. Far from it. But a few years ago I did extensive research for a sermon series on our spiritual heritage. And I walked away with a renewed sense of destiny. There is so much revisionist history out there that we tend to forget that a lot of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their faith in Christ.
Just thought I'd share some backstory about some of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Most Americans know next to nothing about these fifty-six heroes who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of freedom.
John Witherspoon was an ordained minister and authored several books of sermons, as well as editing America's first family Bible published in 1791.
Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was a Biblical scholar. He helped edit the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.
Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.
On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.
Another Founding Father, Benjamin Rush, is considered the "Father of American Medicine." He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded "The First Day Society" which was the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as founding America's first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was "as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power."
Francis Hopkinson was a church music director and edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.
Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America's Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also a theologian. He wrote a personal creed that was adopted by his church:
I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this: many, if not most, of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God's purposes in their own generation.
By the way, five signers were captured and tortured during the Revolutionary War. Twelve signers had their homes ransacked and burned. Two signers lost sons to the war they declared. Two signers had sons become prisoners of war. And nine signers fought in the war and died from wounds or hardships of war.
Hope that adds a dimension of gratitude to your 4th of July celebration!
We live in a a day and age where we almost have to defend our patriotism. I'm certainly not suggesting that America is above reproach. Far from it. But a few years ago I did extensive research for a sermon series on our spiritual heritage. And I walked away with a renewed sense of destiny. There is so much revisionist history out there that we tend to forget that a lot of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their faith in Christ.
Just thought I'd share some backstory about some of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. Most Americans know next to nothing about these fifty-six heroes who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of freedom.
John Witherspoon was an ordained minister and authored several books of sermons, as well as editing America's first family Bible published in 1791.
Charles Thomson served as Secretary of Congress and was a Biblical scholar. He helped edit the first American translation of the Greek Septuagint into English.
Charles Carroll, the last of the fifty-six signers to pass away at the age of 95 in 1832, wrote out his declaration of faith at the age of eighty-nine.
On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for my salvation, and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.
Another Founding Father, Benjamin Rush, is considered the "Father of American Medicine." He personally trained three thousand medical students. Dr. Rush also founded "The First Day Society" which was the precursor to the Sunday School movement, as well as founding America's first Bible society. It was Benjamin Rush who said the Constitution was "as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of divine power."
Francis Hopkinson was a church music director and edited one of the first hymnals printed in America in 1767. He also set 150 psalms to music.
Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father to sign all four of America's Founding documents: the Articles of Association in 1774, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Articles of Confederation in 1778, and the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Roger Sherman was also a theologian. He wrote a personal creed that was adopted by his church:
I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
I could share story after story, but the bottom line is this: many, if not most, of our Founding Fathers were motivated by their Faith in Christ. They wrote sermons and creeds and hymns. They founded Bible Societies and Sunday Schools. They served God's purposes in their own generation.
By the way, five signers were captured and tortured during the Revolutionary War. Twelve signers had their homes ransacked and burned. Two signers lost sons to the war they declared. Two signers had sons become prisoners of war. And nine signers fought in the war and died from wounds or hardships of war.
Hope that adds a dimension of gratitude to your 4th of July celebration!
14 Comments:
Thanks for sharing Mark.
My Independence Day celebration this year will be better because I read this.
Thanks.
Oustanding Mark. Thank you so much. God Bless America.
Thank you for reminding me of what christain influence had in the founding of our nation.For myself I did some reading of how like the diverse peoples of this nation, there were diverse influences on how this nation was founded. Yes Christainity had a major influence. For myself who is still struggling with who Jesus is I fear that Christians will turn this country into a theocracy. Oh wait a minute I have been afraid of what Chrsitains would do when I should look at what Jesus or the Holy Spirit might do to influence this nation Hmmmmm I will mediate and pray on that being my focus for celebrating today
Thanks Mark, one of my great, great or however many greats grandfathers signed the declaration and had his house burned down by the Brits because of it, it was a death wish to sign that document. Thanks for sharing that.
Ross,
I love it. I actually remember the name--Middleton.
Mark
Mark,
Would love a list of your resources. I could spend countless hours riding the subway reading these. please shoot me an e-mail soon with this if you wouldn't mind.
Erick
Thanks for posting this Mark. The 4th is one of my favorite holidays looking back at the sacrifice so many made. As so many have, I have relatives that sacrificed their lives in both the revolutionary and civil wars. This brings so much of it into perspective. Thanks for the post!
I appreciate the patriotic sentiment, but I would say the Founding Fathers were far from Christ-like with a philosophy that sanctioned the enslavement of one race and the annihilation of another.
d,
Certainly each of the fifty-six signers had that faults and foibles just like us. Many of them did own slaves. Hard to fathom a couple centures later! But not all of them did. Some of them implemented policies or made decisions that we would consider deplorable. But that doesn't erase those who acted justly and courageously. I guess they were just like us--a mixed bag of good and bad. But I have no doubt that despite many of their shortcomings, many of them were genuine Christ followers. I just wanted to point out a part of history that is largely forgotten and ignored.
So grateful for the sacrifices that made for the freedoms we enjoy.
Mark
E.B.
I took a tour of the Capitol with David Barton a few years ago. He's written some amazing stuff. Good place to start :)
Mark
Mr. Batterson,
Although fully appropriate on Independence Day to write a moving piece like that, the underlayment of your article is very interesting to me.
Regardless of being motivated by their faith in Christ or not, if these men were to truly set up a peculiar nation that reflects Christ, why did it not then and not now do that? Am I saying that an earthly kingdom can be fully heavenly, I don't believe so...I just think we feel too secure in the 'ole USA when we focus on these factors instead of on Christ ourselves...
Definitely open to your thoughts though....
Mark, I was directed to your post here by a poster on my blog.
I took the same tour with David, but have a different perspective than yours. If you are interested and have time, please give me a call or email me at pgrabill@aol.com.
Ryan,
Just thought it would be insightful to share a little bit of backstory on the signers. Amazing how little we know about the fifty-six men who started the revolution.
Certainly not meant to be a comprehensive piece. I just think it's a part of our history that isn't told.
Mark
Mark sir,
Thanks for the response. Touche :-)
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