Mercy Adams Writes

This flag carried by the colonists during the War for Independence speaks for itself. When our forefathers had their backs against the wall, so to speak, did they rely on their own strength to resist tyranny and abuse of power? Perhaps a few did, but this flag testifies to their Christian ethnos that they knew they needed the God of Heaven on their side to stand up to such a powerful earthly foe.  Please be blessed to read this history of the 'An Appeal To Heaven' flag posted at Emerging Revolutionary War by Mark Maloy : Where do our rights come from? The answer to this question is at the heart of the pine tree flag that was flown by soldiers and sailors during the Revolutionary War. The Founding Fathers were very clear about where they believed rights came from. In the Declaration of Independence, the Founders say that their “unalienable rights” were “endowed by their Creator”. This was a distillation of hundreds of years of religious and enlightenment thought and writing. B...

Richard Varick painted c.1787 by Ralph Earl . The portrait shows Varick in his Continental Army officers uniform although he retired his commission in 1783. The blue decoration is that of the Society of the Cincinnati. (Wikipedia) The Journal of the American Revolution is featuring the biography Richard Varick in History and Memory: Colonial Lawyer, Continental Officer, Mayor of New York City   by Keith Muchowski and I encourage you to read it in its entirety as this is the story of a man who served our country well and one who might not be known by many in today's United States. From all accounts he was a man of integrity and one who had the trust of General George Washington. Let's take a look at this patriotic man who helped secure our freedom at such a pivotal moment in history: Richard Varick was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on March 25, 1753, and was of Dutch ancestry. He began his military career in June of 1775, and was soon commissioned as a captain in the Co...

  Rev. Samuel Whatley was baptized by Silas Mercer and a member of the Phillips Mill Baptist Church in Wilkes County. Whatley's Revolutionary War experiences are summarized by Jesse Campbell in Georgia Baptist Historical and Biographical. 'Having been once almost drowned, twice frozen, twice shot and once hung,' Campbell writes, 'he survived to enjoy the blessings of liberty and to a good old age.' Whatley was active in ministry in the Georgia Baptist Association and is buried at the Phillips Mill Baptist Church where he was a member for more than 40 years. This fascinating account of the historical battle at Kettle Creek, Georgia is written by  Charles Jones and originlly posted at The Christian Index . Here is an excerpt: On a winter Sunday morning in February 1779, the sound of gunfire broke the silence along the marshy bottom at the juncture of two small creeks in Wilkes County, Georgia, as men engaged in a life and death struggle. The Battle of Kettle Creek, a ...

Declaration of Independence, oil on canvas by John Trumbull, 1818; in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Washington, D.C.  John Haslet, officer in the Delaware Regiment: 'I congratulate you, sir, on this important day, which restores to every American his birthright—a day which every freeman will record with gratitude, and the millions of posterity read with rapture.' Robert Wilson, private soldier: 'We passed the Altamaha [River] about the last of July 1776 I distinctly recollect that on reaching the far Bank of that River, a horseman made his appearance on the bank and manifested a wish to reach us, supposing him to be an express he was sent for and on reaching the Army he delivered to Gen’l Williamson dispatches containing the Declaration of Independance. Gen’l Williamson called upon Capt Lacey to open the dispatches, who done so and on discovering the contents Capt Lacy raised up both hands and exclaimed Thank God for this. He then read the Declaration to the officers who wer...

  The Prayer in the First Congress, A.D. 1774 Courtesy of the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Christ Church, Philadelphia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they pe...

Source: George Washington/  Facebook By the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me! George Washington, Letter to John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755 Compliments of George Washington Society ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  From Rev War Revelry: "As the word of the 'Intolerable Acts' spread throughout the colonies in response to the Boston Tea Party, colonial governments began to show support for Boston. Then in May 1774, the Virginia House of Burgesses voted for a day of 'prayer' on June 1, 1774 in support of Boston and Massachusetts." Source:  Rev War Revelry: The First Virginia Convention and the Road to Revolution – Emerging Revolutionary War Era   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Most gracious Lord God, whose dwelling is in the h...

"Protestant political thought underwent several changes in the American context. The original Puritan settlements of New England in certain ways approximated the political thought of Calvin and the 16th and 17th century Reformed confessions surveyed above: church and state were not identical, but civil magistrates were tasked with both civic justice and promotion and protection of true piety and worship. "By the time of the American Revolution, the situation in America had changed, though not nearly to the degree that modern, radical secularists suppose. It is not my intention here to attempt a summary of early American religious thought (an impossibly large task for this article), but the kinds of changes I am referring to can be observed in the alterations that were made to the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) by the American Presbyterian Church, changes which were debated and codified in 1787–89. These changes serve as a good, representative example of how older Prot...

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I am delighted to share this tribute to Rev. John Witherspoon, a founding father and dedicated Christian, featured at Breakpoint: In Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull (1818), Witherspoon is the second seated figure from the (viewer's) right among those shown in the background facing the large table. (Public Domain/ Wikipedia ) The Legacy of John Witherspoon The groundwork of a lesser-known founder who shaped the early years of the Repu blic. The month of November marks the death of John Witherspoon, one of the most important and most underrated of the American founding fathers. Born in Scotland in 1723, Witherspoon received a Master of Arts at age 16 from the University of Edinburgh, where he would continue his studies in divinity. In 1745, he became an evangelical minister in the Church of Scotland. Witherspoon was no fan of the monarchy and was imprisoned the following year for opposing the royalist Jacobite uprising, an experience that da...

Sadly, the acknowledgment of our Lord and Savior as Sovereign over our (and all) nations was omitted from our founding document, the Constitution. I plan to take a closer look at this omission and the movement for a Christian Amendment in a future post; but for now I want to share a Christian Citizenship Bible Study with you. This material was taught to me by my Reformed Presbyterian pastor approximately 20 years ago. Please be blessed as you study it with Bible in hand. Understanding Biblical Doctrine, Lesson XVI, “Christian Citizenship” Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” I. The Biblical View of Government A. Man’s need for civil government stems from the fact that God created him with the ability to live in an orderly society. (Genesis 1:28 — And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the ...

I'm presently reading Minds & Hearts: The Story of James Otis Jr. and Mercy Otis Warren by Jeffrey H. Hacker  published in June of 2021 by Bright Leaf.  I appreciate the author giving us a closer look into the Otis family and especially these two siblings to whom we owe so much of our independence from Great Britain.  Something I've gleaned from the book are the traditional values Mercy Otis Warren held. I've read biographies of her that emphasize her writing and politcal insight, but not so much of her dedication to her husband, sons and home. It's truly wonderful to read of this housewife whom the Lord has used so greatly in our American history.  I encourage you to get this book and read her amazing story. Here is a review posted at The Journal of the American Revolution website:  Review: Mind and Hearts: The Story of James Otis Jr. and Mercy Otis Warren - Journal of the American Revolution (allthingsliberty.com) For Mercy's professional accomplishments...

 Nathan Eshelman, a pastor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America   has been so kind as to remind us of the noble Presbyterian history of our great nation in his blog post at Gentle Reformation . As you celebrate Independence Day in America, please contemplate this part of our Christian heritage and please give thanks to God for the freedoms and religious liberty (while not perfect) we still enjoy today. ~Mercy Adams Enjoy Your Freedom? Thank a Presbyterian. Published July 2, 2019 As those of us in the United States this week celebrate freedom from British governance, consider the many ways that Presbyterianism influenced the decision to enter a war for independence and take up arms against a magistrate: Only a Presbyterian understanding of Romans 13 would allow us to enter a war. The Bible calls for submission to magistrates, but Presbyterians understood the nuances that allowed for rebellion against tyranny. (See James M. Wilson's Establishment and Limits ...

"There can be no freedom without order! Oh for the order which is in Christ, that we might have that freedom which is in him also!"   ~Motto of Rev. Hezekiah James Balch  (Source:  Rev Hezekiah James Balch (1745-1776) - Find a Grave Memorial ) I found this account of Rev. Hezekiah James Balch by David T. Myers posted at This Day in Presbyterian History.   It's important for us to remember men like Rev. Balch and how Providence used them at such an important, foundational time in American history, which is really His-Story.  May the Lord bless you as you read this man's story and may his name be honored and remembered among God's people, amen.  - Mercy Adams Unwavering Devotion to Christ and Country by David T. Myers Here and there in these posts, you have read about Presbyterian clergy who were instrumental in preparing and molding the popular minds of Americans for the great struggle of the American Revolution. From both pulpit and battle field worsh...