I sat down to my computer to type this newsletter in the quiet morning hours of Independence Day, 2025, praying and considering what I might say, or if I should say anything at all. The older I get, the more I value quiet contemplation and reverence for the important things in life. Most of the people that make up the audience of this newsletter have a pretty good grasp of what today represents, and have a similar patriotic fire in their blood to my own. Additionally, most of you are fully capable and motivated to find the meat and marrow of our distinct heritage that is the United States of America. The Lord laid the following on my heart this morning, and it is my hope and prayer that it is both an encouragement to you, in that I believe this is something that set our nation’s founding apart from any other, and a challenge to you, in that we must find our way back.
The First Continental Congress, 1774
After the famous Boston Tea Party, and several other similar events in 1773, the Britain retaliated in anger with “The Intolerable Acts”, as the colonies referred to them, one of which completely shut down the harbor at Boston on June 1st, 1774. This prompted the first national assembly in September of 1774. Although there had been significant displays of unity across the various colonies in rallying to get food and supplies to Boston, foster communication through the Committees of Correspondence, and other acts in support of each other, the very first order of business in this First Continental Congress might have been its last.
Thomas Cushing made a motion to open in prayer, which was then opposed by John Jay of New York, and John Rutledge of South Carolina. Why would two devout Christian men oppose such a thing? It really was quite simple. Of the 45 or so men in the room, there were a handful of different denominations represented, all of which were vehemently opposed to the disparate doctrines held by those around them, and these differences ran deep, with passionate disputes that went back all the way to the Protestant Reformation and beyond. These differences were not taken lightly, and both men feared that to focus the group on such a contentious topic could be disastrous. It could very well have spelled the end of any sense of unity in that assembly, and they knew it.
Fortunately for all of us, Samuel Adams, “arose and said he was no bigot, and could hear a prayer from a gentleman of piety and virtue, who was at the same time a friend to his country”. He then recommended that the Rev. Jacob Duché, an Episcopalian (an Anglican clergyman from the Church of England) deliver the first opening prayer the following day. What made this such a notable action is that Adams was a faithful Congregationalist, a denomination that had an intense dislike for Episcopalians.
but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts 10:35 ESV
Samuel Adams was implementing a principle that had been preached by George Whitefield far and wide, particularly in his “Father Abraham” sermon. In that sermon, Whitefield pretended to be at the gates of Heaven talking with Abraham:
Father Abraham, whom have you there with you? Have you Catholics? - No.
Have you Protestants? - No.
Have you Churchmen [Anglicans]? - No.
Have you Dissenters [Congregationalists]? - No.
Have you Presbyterians? - No.
Quakers? - No.
Anabaptists [Amish and Mennonites]? - No.
Whom have you there? Are you alone? - No.
My brethren, you have the answer to all these questions in the words of my next text: “He who feareth God and worketh righteousness, shall be accepted of Him” [Acts 10:35].
In another account of this sermon, Whitefield closed by saying, “God help us all to forget party names and to become Christians in deed and truth.” The point Whitefield was making was clear, as was the unifying principle outlined by Samuel Adams.
This spirit of Christian unity continued the next day, when Rev. Duché, rather than following Anglican formality in reading from the Book of Common Prayer, gave an informal, passionate prayer, and read from Psalm 35. The impact of it was noted by many who were there, including John Adams:
I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that [35th] Psalm to be read on that morning. After this, Mr. Duché, unexpected to everybody, struck out into an extemporary [spontaneous heartfelt] prayer which filled the bosom of everyman present. I must confess I never heard a better prayer… with such fervor, such ardor [passion], such earnestness and pathos [emotion], and in language so elegant and sublime, for America, for the Congress, for the province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here.
There was a movement born at that First Continental Congress in September of 1774 of common Christian unity, in which faithful believers of many stripes all came together in common cause, not surrendering their strongly held doctrinal beliefs, but uniting under a common banner when and where they could, for the betterment of a new nation. This was one of many firsts in the founding of the United States, that many believe, including myself, was Providential in nature.
That unity has not been consistent, as anyone who knows the fate of the Rev. Jacob Duché can attest. However, at various times, and in various places, God has put His guiding hand on our nation through the unity of believers, coming together in a righteous cause. Looking at where we are today, it would be easy to think we are in more dire straights than ever as a nation. Our churches are in shambles, spiritually speaking, across all denominational lines, questioning the most basic, core teachings of the Scriptures, like the need for repentance, redemption, justification, sanctification, etc. Of course, our stack of troubles isn’t just in the churches, but piles high and wide.
Our Constitution has been “re-interpreted” to the point that it is twisted and contorted to say whatever the SCOTUS wants it to say at the time. Our Legislature has abdicated its responsibilities to govern to a mindless administrative state that consumes and usurps on autopilot. The Executive branch has both an automatic administrative state that is weaponized against our own people, and an administration that usurps powers not delegated to it on a daily basis. Our culture has no regard for what is right, only what it can get away with. The list of challenges America faces right now are endless.
But, God…
By any estimation of man, the United States is headed the way of the Roman Empire, dead as dry bones, and there is no saving it. But, God is bigger than the troubles or solutions of man. God can provide a way, when there is no way, and it would not be the first time He gave life to dead, dry bones.
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”
Ezekiel 37:5-6
As a Christian, this gives me hope. I know what it is to have a lifeless heart of stone, and Jesus Christ took that heart, and gave me a heart of flesh instead.1 For things to change, the people of God must watch and pray, stand for the Truth, and work together with other, likeminded people, unifying around principles like truth, transparency, and integrity in all things, in order to revive the Constitutional Republic born so long ago.
Please take some time today to read Psalm 35, considering how important this portion of Scripture was to the men gathered that day.
Happy Independence Day!
Ezekiel 11:19-20