Patriotism of Presbyterians (4)

From Scotch and Irish Seeds in American Soil by Rev. J. G. Craighead

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CHAPTER XII. … continued

The sympathy and services of the Presbyterian clergy were so universally on the side of the colonists that there is danger of appearing invidious in any endeavor to point out those who were prominent and influential advocates of the cause of liberty in the pulpit and in legislative halls, and who by their example as well as by their words greatly aided the patriots fighting the battles of their country.

Dr. Witherspoon, of Princeton, stands in the front rank of those who rendered eminent service in establishing a free government. He was a lineal descendant of John Knox, and, like the celebrated Scotch Reformer, was fitted to be a great leader among men. He was almost equally eminent as a scholar, a theologian, an orator, teacher, author and financier; and in all these relations he reflected honor upon his adopted country. Immediately on his arrival in America he identified himself with the colonial cause, and in the ensuing struggle with England his powerful advocacy of the rights of the colonists placed him by the side of Jefferson and Franklin, and the other noble defenders of freedom.

From the commencement of the Revolution he was a member of the various committees and conventions whose object was to obtain redress from the king of the evils the people endured.

In 1776 he was a member of the New Jersey convention that formed its republican constitution, and the same year took his seat in the Continental Congress, in which he helped frame the Declaration of our rights, and to which he affixed his name, “appealing to his God for the approval of his act, and to the world for the justice of the cause he espoused.” And he urged the other delegates, some of whom were hesitating, to take the same patriotic stand. “That noble instrument upon your table,” said he, “which ensures immortality to its author, should be subscribed this very morning by every pen in the house. He that will not respond to its accents, and strain every nerve to carry into effect its provisions, is unworthy the name of a freeman. For my own part, of property I have some, of reputation more. That reputation is staked, that property is pledged, on the issue of this contest. And although these gray hairs must soon descend into the sepulchre, I would infinitely rather they should descend thither by the hands of the public executioner than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country.”[8] He remained a member of Congress until 1782, with the exception of one year, and contributed perhaps as largely as any other one man to the success of the patriot-cause. His labors were incessant, his industry untiring, his perseverance unyielding, and his patriotism fervid, and as pure as the crystal fountain.

Most of the measures he proposed in Congress were either at the time or subsequently adopted.

His influence in the legislative hall was deservedly great, for he had a mind that was able to grasp and expound the principles of government. His perceptions were clear and his judgment acute; and when he spoke he was listened to with the utmost interest, and his clear and strong reasoning rarely failed to secure the conviction of his hearers. Several eloquent appeals, recommending the people to observe days of public fasting and prayer, were from his able pen. “Few men acted with more energy and promptitude; few appeared to be enriched with greater political wisdom; few enjoyed a greater share of public confidence; few accomplished more for the country than he did in the sphere in which he was called to act. In the most gloomy and formidable aspect of public affairs he was always firm, discovering the greatest reach and presence of mind in the most embarrassing situations.”

Worthy allies of Dr. Witherspoon, and only less celebrated, were Dr. Patrick Allison of Baltimore, pronounced the ablest statesman in the Presbyterian Church, an earnest defender of his country’s cause, and one of the committee of the Assembly of 1789 to draft an address to President Washington; William Tennent of Charleston, a member of the provincial congress of South Carolina, and appointed by the committee of safety to arouse the people in behalf of independence; George Duffield of Philadelphia, chaplain of the Colonial Congress, and often consulted on public questions by civil and military officers; and Dr. John Rogers of New York, one of the council of safety, and chaplain in the war, first of Heath’s brigade, then of the convention of the State.

In Pennsylvania were John Carmichael, who before the military on several occasions preached by request a sermon on “the lawfulness of self-defence,” which exerted a great influence; John Craighead, who raised a company from the members of his congregation, serving as captain and chaplain, and who is said to have “fought and preached alternately;” Dr. James Latta, who to encourage his people shouldered his knapsack and accompanied them on their campaign; Dr. Robert Davidson, who by his patriotic sermons before military companies inspired the soldiers with courage and fortitude; Dr. William Linn, chaplain, who was present at the taking of Fort Washington; Dr. Robert Cooper, who “bore arms, marched and countermarched through the Jerseys on foot so long as he was able;” John Elder, a colonel in the colonial service; John Steele, who served as captain, “and led the advance company of nine hundred men in their march to the seat of war, and often preached with his gun standing by his side;” John Rosbrugh, first a private soldier, then a chaplain, and who was killed in cold blood by the Hessians; Dr. John King, eminent for his patriotic zeal, doing duty as a chaplain, and by his many addresses increasing the devotion of the people to their country’s cause.

In New Jersey were Dr. Alexander McWhorter, who was appointed by Congress in 1775 to visit North Carolina to promote independence among the people; who was afterward at the battle of Trenton, and at General Knox’s request acted as chaplain while our army lay at White Plains; Dr. Asa Hillyer of Orange, who assisted his father as surgeon in the army; James Caldwell, chaplain of the Jersey brigade and assistant commissary-general, in which position his services were very valuable, who had a price set upon his head, and who was subsequently killed by the enemy; James F. Armstrong of Elizabethtown, “chaplain of the Second brigade of the Maryland forces;” John Miller of Dover, bold in the expression of his freedom-loving views, preaching to his people prior to the Declaration of Independence from the text, “We have no part in David, nor any inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel!” Dr. Ashbel Green, an orderly sergeant in the war, risking his life repeatedly in defence of his country; and Dr. Elihu Spencer of Trenton, who was conspicuously engaged on the side of the patriots, and employed by the provincial congress of North Carolina to convince some of her colonists of the justice of the American cause.

In Virginia were Dr. John Brown, who “fought with intrepid spirit by the side of Sumter,” and was afterward president of Georgia University; William Graham, who encouraged the members of his congregation to enlist, and served as a captain; John Brown and Archibald Scott, neighboring pastors, who entered warmly into the American cause, and exhorted their people to fight for their freedom; Dr. James Waddell, who was one of the first and most earnest vindicators of liberty from the pulpit; Dr. Moses Hoge, who served for a time, previous to entering the ministry, in the army of the Revolution; and Dr. John Blair Smith, who was an active patriot and captain of a company of students of Hampden-Sidney College, of which he was president.

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NOTES

[8] Rev. Dr. Krebs, as quoted in vol. i. Southern Review.