I’ve recently finished reading this excellent book, The American Story: The Beginnings, by David and Tim Barton of Wallbuilders.
While covering our country’s history from its discovery to the early 19th century, the Bartons present a huge focus on why the colonists first came for religious liberty…and maintained that.
Since this is a Virginia focused blog, I thought I’d share some of my favorite Virginia examples from this book in preparation for celebrating our country’s 250th birthday on July 4.
Bolded lettering found within the quotes are my highlights.
FIRST GREAT AWAKENING
While George Whitefield famously preached throughout the many colonies to massively repentant crowds during the First Great Awakening.
Whitefield had a substantial impact on America by changing the lives and thinking of countless Americans. It is estimated that the total number of those who attended his meetings was over 10 million, and his message transformed hundreds of thousands. (Since America had only 3 million inhabitants at the time, not only did most American’s hear Whitefield preach but many likely heard him several times.) –The American Story: The Beginnings, p102
On his twenty-fifth birthday on December 16, 1739, George Whitefield preached at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Warmly receiving George Whitefield the day before, Reverand Blair received word the next day from the Anglican Bishop of London to NOT allow Whitefield to speak at Bruton Parish Church.
Whitefield’s crime was his message speaking against unconverted church members and ministers, through sermons such as What Think Ye of Christ?
These bold messages evangelized the thirteen colonies, unifying them to understand that virtue is needed to have liberty.
REVEREND SAMUEL DAVIES INFLUENCED PATRICK HENRY ORATORY
Another First Great Awakening preacher was Samuel Davies who preached throughout Virginia.
Considered the greatest pulpit orator in the colonies, Davies was also known in Europe due to his many sermons that were widely printed.
Perhaps his most famous congregant was Virginia’s future firebrand of the American Revolution, a young Patrick Hennry.
While returning home on their wagon ride after each Sunday’s sermon, Henry was required to recite Davies’ sermons to his mother.
As affirmed by an early biographer, Henry’s “early example of eloquence…was Mr. Davies, and the effect of his teaching upon [Henry’s] after life may be plainly traced. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p107
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
Virtually all youth who attended college were directly influenced by clergy, who frequently were the presidents of the colleges as well as their professors. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p120
Founded in 1693, the College of William and Mary was founded by Reverend James Blair so that the Church of Virginia may be furnished with a seminary of ministers of the Gospel, and that…the Christian faith may be propagated among the western Indians to the glory of Almighty God. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p121
The Brafferton building at the College of William and Mary educated American Indians.
Located in Middle Plantation, the town’s name changed to Williamsburg in 1699 when the capitol was moved there from Jamestown.
Several signers of the Declaration of Independence attended this school, including Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe, Benjamin Harrison, and Carter Braxton. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p121
1765 STAMP ACT – PATRICK HENRY
During the Stamp Act crisis if 1765, Patrick Henry was a newly elected burgess in Virginia.
When none of the more senior members of the House of Burgesses spoke against the tyrannical Stamp Act, Henry presented his bold resolutions in a firestorm of the history of tyrants:
“Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third—” voices cried out, “Treason! treason!” “—and George the Third may profit by their example! If this be treason make the most of it.”
On page 127 of the Barton’s book is this fascinating quote by Patrick Henry in his later years:
…the resolutions [against the Stamp Act] passed by a very small majority…The alarm spread through America with astonishing quickness, and the ministerial party [the pro-British] were overwhelmed. The great point of resistance to British taxation was universally established in the colonies. This brought on the War, which finally separated the two countries, and gave independence to ours. Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation [Proverbs 14:34]. Reader: whoever thou art, remember this!-and in they sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p127
One early historian reported that Henry “was hailed as the leader raised up by Providence for the occasion, and further explained: America was filled with Mr. Henry’s fame, and he was recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as the man who rang the alarm bell which had aroused the continent. His wonderful powers of oratory engaged the attention and excited the admiration of men, and the more so as they were not considered the result of laborious training but as the direct gift of Heaven. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p128
THOMAS JEFFERSON PROPOSES DAY OF FASTING, HUMILIATION, PRAYER
Responding to Britain’s announcement they would close Boston’s ports on June 1, 1774 in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, Thomas Jefferson penned Virginia’s state prayer resolve, which called on the legislature and the people “to implore the Divine Interposition…to give us one heart and one mind firmly to oppose, by all just and proper means, every injury to American rights.” –The American Story: The Beginnings, p136
On the designated day: The members of the [Virginia] House of Burgesses assembled at their place of meeting and went in procession-with the speaker at their head-to the church and listened to a discourse [sermon]. “Never,” a lady wrote, “since my residence in Virginia have I seen so large a congregation as was this day assembled to hear Divine service.” The preacher selected for his text the words: “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee. He will not fail thee nor forsake thee” [Deuteronomy 31:6]. “The people,” Jefferson says, “met generally with anxiety and alarm in their countenances [their faces], and the effect of the day through the whole colony was like a shock of electricity, arousing every man and placing him erect and solidly on his center.” These words describe the effect of the Port Act throughout the 13 colonies. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p136-7
PATRICK HENRY – GIVE ME LIBERTY
Rebutting the woe that they were too weak to do anything about tyranny at hand, Patrick Henry proclaimed to the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond on March 23, 1775:
Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Identifying the many Biblical references in Henry’s impromptu speech on the convention floor, the Bartons explain:
Henry’s speech includes many Biblical ideas, quotations, and references, including from II Chronicles 32:8, Deuteronomy 32:4, II Thessalonians 1:6, Psalm 75:7, Daniel 4:17, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, and Matthew 20:6. The content of his speech confirms his familiarity of the Bible. And since he did not feel it necessary to identify the source of his quotes and ideas to the listeners, it also suggests he believed those in attendance were familiar with the Bible as well. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p146
1776 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness...
…We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
Detailing the Declaration of Independence in their book, the Barton’s acknowledge that America’s Founders believed that rights came from God; that government must be based on the consent of the governed; and when governments become tyrannical, they may be resisted and replaced. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p153
Famed Virginian, Richard Henry Lee, who initially introduced a resolution to the Second Continental Congress to call for independence later signed the Declaration of Independence.
When Lee died in 1794, his grandson received his papers and correspondence, including numerous handwritten letters from other leading Founding Fathers. He compiled those documents into a two-volume work published in 1825. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p159-160
Summarizing his findings, the grandson wrote:
The wise and great men of those days were not ashamed publicly to confess the name of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In behalf of the people, as their representatives and rulers, they acknowledge the sublime doctrine of His mediation!
Before he penned the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote in his 1774 pamphlet:
God who gave us life, gave us liberty. -Thomas Jefferson, A Summary View of British Rights of British America, 1774
Later, he wrote:
Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed…a conviction…that these liberties are the gift of God? -Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1794
PROVIDENCE PROTECTED CONTINENTAL ARMY
Throughout their book, the Bartons detail the many ways God intervened in various battles to help the Continental Army, led by Virginian, General George Washington.
One example regards Benedict Arnold nearly turning West Point over to the British in 1780 of which Washington had much to say:
Treason of the blackest dye was yesterday discovered! General Arnold, who commanded at West Point, lost to every sentiment of honor, of public and private obligation, was about to deliver up that important post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event must have given the American cause a deadly wound if not a fatal stab. Happily, the treason has been timely discovered to prevent the fatal misfortune. The Providential train of circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing proof that the liberties of America are the object of Divine protection. -General George Washington to his troops
To one of his colonels, Washington wrote:
In no instance since the commencement of the War has the interposition of Providence appeared more conspicuous than in the rescue of the post and garrison of West Point from Arnold’s villainous perfidy. -General George Washington to Colonel John Laurens
Significantly, Washington’s recognition of God’s direct intervention in this affair was one of more than 250 occasions in which he openly acknowledged the Providence of God. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p192
After the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781, which effectively ended the war, Washington told his troops:
The General congratulates the army upon the glorious event of yesterday…Divine service is to be performed tomorrow in the several brigades and divisions. The Commander-in-Chief recommends that the troops not on duty should universally attend with that seriousness of deportment and gratitude of heart which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of Providence demand of us. -General Washington to his troops after their victory at the Battle of Yorktown, 1781
1783 ENGLAND ENDS HOSTILITIES
After the Battle of Yorktown, peace nogotiations began, finally culminating in 1783 when England declared an end to the war.
America prevailed in its struggle for freedom, becoming an example to the world of a free nation that embraced Biblical principles. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p197
Washington wrote that year:
Glorious indeed has been our contest-if we consider the prize for which we have contended, and glorious in its issue. But in the midst of our joys, I hope we shall not forget that to Divine Providence is to be ascribed the glory and the praise. -George Washingon, 1783
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY TODAY?
Although my post was Virginia focused for brevity, the Bartons use stunning examples from the other colonies, too, to showcase their premise that:
Throughout the American story, the Bible was the source of the key ideas that made America exceptional. –The American Story: The Beginnings, p312
Proving that truth, George Washington wrote the following to one of his former generals:
No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain to these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed to us so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass. -George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, June 20, 1788
What is left of our religious liberty today? What are we doing about it?
