John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish American Presbyterian minister and a Founding Father of the United States. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768–1794; now Princeton University), became an influential figure in the development of the United States’ national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution. In 1789 he was convening moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Wikipedia
This Day in Presbyterian History
Daily devotional readings in Scripture, the Westminster Standards, & Presbyterian history.
May 17 : John Witherspoon Brings Politics Into the Pulpit
By David T Myers. This Day in Presbyterian History: John Witherspoon Brings Politics into the Pulpit
“In our last historical devotional, we saw how the Confession of Faith cautioned synods and council from making pronouncements on political matters. In this devotional, we see a Presbyterian minister enter the pulpit of a Presbyterian congregation in Princeton, New Jersey on May 17, 1776 to bring politics into the pulpit. That Presbyterian minister was John Witherspoon, the president of the College of New Jersey.
The timing is interesting. Battles up north around Boston have already been fought. In about three weeks, John Witherspoon will affix his signature to the Declaration of Independence. As he enters the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church, he is going to speak on “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men. A SERMON preached at Princeton, on the 17th of May, 1776 BEING the General Fast appointed by the CONGRESS through the UNITED COLONIES. To which is added, An Address to the Natives of Scotland residing in America.” And you thought your pastor had long sermon titles!
Witherspoon in taking politics in the pulpit in essence is going to preach on God’s providence, how that God guides and governs and directs and controls all things, from the greatest to the least. He further uses the appointment of a fast from Congress to proclaim this message at this time. Let me quote one paragraph from it.
“You are all witnesses, that this is the first time of my introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful, but necessary; and I willingly embrace the opportunity of declaring my opinion without any hesitation, that the cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature. So far as we have hitherto proceeded, I am satisfied that the confederacy of the colonies, has not been the effect of pride, resentment, or sedition, but of a deep and general conviction, that our civil and religious liberties, and consequently, in a great measure, the temporal and eternal happiness of us and our posterity, depended on the issue. There is not a single instance in history, in which civil liberty was lost, and religious liberty preserved entire. If, therefore, we yield up our temporal property, we at the same time deliver the conscience into bondage.”
With words like this, no wonder that a speaker in England’s Parliament declared that “Cousin American has run away with a Presbyterian parson.” And that Presbyterian parson was none other than John Witherspoon. He closed his sermon with the following words, “God grant, that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may, in the issue, tend to the support and establishment of both.” This Day in Presbyterian History
I Love Our Country
I repeat as John Witherspoon so properly said, “God grant, that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may, in the issue, tend to the support and establishment of both.”
I love our Country and the blessed Constitution that the Lord Himself wrote. D&C 101:77-80. Ever since I saw President Trump begin to keep his promises from his primary campaign, I have always supported him and the good things he does for our country. I admire his tenacity in trying to right the wrongs done against him and our country. He has tried to put America first so we can be a strong nation and remain the leader of the world as was promised by the Lord. Trump is far from perfect but he does what he says for the benefit of the American People. Does he have an ego? Sure!
We as Americans are not better than other people, but the Children of Joseph were promised this land as long as we live righteously. Sadly the fate of the Jaredites and Nephites on this land are a precursor to our fate if we don’t repent.
I am afraid our religion and civil liberties are now far apart. Our Country is in turmoil especially with this new Presidency. I do pray for Biden and the government, but it seems almost hopeless at this point. Our freedoms are being eroded and the dictates of government have become an unrighteous stress on the people of the world.
“And so four great civic standards for the faithful Saints are, first, the Constitution ordained by God through wise men; second, the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; third, the inspired counsel of the prophets, especially the living president, and fourth, the guidance of the Holy Spirit.“ Ezra Taft Benson
Joseph and Hyrum’s trust did not run to the arm of flesh, but to God and correct eternal principles. “I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the earth,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.)
The warning of President Joseph Fielding Smith is most timely: “Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they don’t save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government.” (Conference Report, April 1950, p. 159.)
What are we doing to save our freedoms? What can we do? I saw a video this morning that broke my heart and really opened up my eyes to becoming a greater advocate of righteousness in our government. Please watch this video and do as this typical lady asks. Fight for what is right!
This Day in Presbyterian History continued.
“Words to Live By: We as American citizens have no right to pray for any kind of temporal prosperity without the necessity as Christian Americans to pray for spiritual revival in our blessed land. The two ends must go together.
Through the Scriptures: Psalms 10 – 111
Through the Standards: Ingredients of repentance in the catechisms
WLC 76 — “What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, he so grieves for and hates his sins, as that he turns from them all to God, purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.”
WSC 87 — “What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.”https://thisday.pcahistory.org/2012/05/may-17-john-witherspoon-brings-politics-into-the-pulpit/
