Imagine Congressmen Observing a Day of Prayer in Maryland- It Happened Before!
Imagine this happening in Maryland. From December 20, 1776 to February 27, 1777, Baltimore served as the nation's capital. According to John Adams (writing to Abigail Adams), Continental Congress recommended (not forced) members of Congress to have a Day of Fasting and Prayer for the nation. Congress recommended it and Congressmen showed up for it.
Salisbury, Maryland may have received the answer to prayer in that a planned meeting of Tories was thwarted. Tories already numbered 250 and were getting stronger. The British ship Roebuck dropped off 3 field pieces/cannon in the area of Parker Mill Pond (Leonard Mill Pond today). Read my February 24, 2011 article on Parker Mill Pond for details.
Soak in these words of John Adams about prayer going on in the seat of government in the State of Maryland:
John Adams to Abigail Adams (February 3,1777) VI, 199-200.
"This Day has been observed in this Place, with exemplary Decency and Solemnity, in Consequence of an Appointment of the Government, in Observance of a Recommendation of Congress, as a Day of Fasting. I went to the Presbyterian meeting and heard Mr. Allison deliver a most pathetic and animating, as I have seldom been better pleased or more afected with a sermon.
'The Presbyterian meeting House in Baltimore stands upon a Hill just at the Back of the Town, from whence We have a very fair Prospect of the Town, and of the water upon which it stands, and of the Country round it. Behind this Eminence, which is the Bacon [Beacon] Hill of Baltimore."
Instead of pointing fingers at our Congressmen, we need to look at ourselves. Are we as close to God as our forefathers? Hearing about some of this history impacts me and hopefully impacts you the reader. Several weeks after one presentation about the Christian worldview of the Founders, a woman told my wife that her husband was in the audience. The presentation had made him think about God again. Hopefully these entries make all of us return to the service of our Maker.
Instead of pointing fingers at our Congressmen, we need to look at ourselves. Are we as close to God as our forefathers? Hearing about some of this history impacts me and hopefully impacts you the reader. Several weeks after one presentation about the Christian worldview of the Founders, a woman told my wife that her husband was in the audience. The presentation had made him think about God again. Hopefully these entries make all of us return to the service of our Maker.
