Invitation to Join Sister Blog "Constitutional Faith"

I would like to invite you to see the sister blog to this blog entitled "Constitutional Faith" You can go there by logging on to www.1787constitutionfaith.blogspot.com It has been my intention for years to have two books; "1776 Faith" deals with the Christian worldview of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, "Constitution Faith" deals with the Christian worldview of the signers of the Constitution. I look at the Declaration of Independence being the engagement period and the Constitution being the marriage. Please check it out and enjoy it and use it as a tool to talk with friends and acquaintances about the crucial part that the Christian worldview had on our Founding Fathers.

Thanksgiving Second Thursday of December, 1779 Samuel Huntington President Continental Congress

Journals of Continental Congress Vol. XV, pp. 1191-2. The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, for setting apart the second Thursday in December next, as a day of general thanksgiving, brought in a draught, which was agreed to as follows: Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our fore-fathers to this western world; for his protection to them and to their posterity amid difficulties and dangers; for raising u, their children, from deep distress to be numbered among the nations of the earth; and for arming the hands of just and mighty princes in our deliverance; and especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he hath gone with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that he hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction; that he hath prospered our commerce, and given success to those who sought the enemy on the face of the deep; and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal: therefore, RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several states, to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December next, to be a day of public and solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his favor and protection to these United States; to beseech him that he would be graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom from on high, with unanimity, firmness, and success; that he would grant to his church the plentiful effusions of divine grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all ministers of the gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance; that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that he would take into his holy protection our illustrious ally, give him victory over his enemies, and render him signally gret, as the father of his people and the protector of the rights of mankind; that he would graciously be please to turn the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending nations; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us into his favor, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety.

How to Support This Ministry

How to Support This Ministry You will notice that this blog is free and I am passing my research on as a love offering to Jesus Christ. Jesus is concerned about bringing all tribes and nations (ethnic groups) to Himself. Because He is concerned about Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Ukraine, China, United Kingdom, Latvia, Spain, etc., I press on. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does its successive journeys run His kingdom spread from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. Isaac Watts One way you can help is to let me know if you know of an opportunity for me to share in your church, school, university or civic group. As Christmas comes, you can also help with buying "1776 Faith" books for loved ones. I have two books waiting to be published but need book sales to go up before I can afford new publishing costs. Most importantly, please pray that God would open hearts to come to this site, and that God would open hearts to receive Jesus Christ into their lives. We are mere sowers, God is the one that changes hearts. Your most humble and obedient servant, Phil Webster 1776faith@gmail.com

James Francis Armstrong

James Francis Armstrong Chaplain Maryland 2nd Brigade May 1777-1782 James Francis Armstrong served as Chaplain in the American Revolutionary War for the Maryland Second Brigade. He not only attended Princeton University but lived with the family of Rev. John Witherspoon (the college president). He graduated with the class of 1773 as did Henry Lee. James Madison graduated in 1772 and Aaron Burr in 1774. After graduation, Armstrong stayed a while longer and studied theology under Dr. Witherspoon (as did Madison). James was preparing for the ministry in New Brunswick in 1776 but the presence of the British Army in New Jersey changed his plans. He became an ordained minister and started serving as a regimental chaplain in the Continental Army. A big factor in his being assigned to the Second Brigade in Maryland is the fact that he was born in West Nottingham, Maryland (near Rising Sun, Maryland on the eastern side of the Susquehanna River). After the war, Armstrong served as the pastor of the Elizabeth New Jersey Presbyterian Chuch (1782-1783) where Rev. James Caldwell served until meeting his death at the hands of the British. Armstrong married William Livingston’s daughter Susannah in August 1782 with Rev. Witherspoon officiating at the service. Armstrong served as minister to the First Presbyterian Church at Trenton from 1786 until his death in 1816 (thirty years). There are so many facets where this story can go deeper. One can read about Rev. James Caldwell (in my book 1776 Faith, pp. 160-1), chaplains in the Continental Army, Maryland’s Second Brigade, William Livingston, Susannah Livingston (who took care of John and Sally Jay’s son while they represented the United States in Spain and France from 1779 until 1783), Elizabeth Presbyterian Church in New Jersey, Rev. Witherspoon, Princeton, Henry Lee, Aaron Burr, James Madison, etc.

John Hancock Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving and Includes God

John Hancock Wishes You a Happy Thanksgiving and Includes God John Hancock as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Constitution issued the following proclamation on Oct. 5, 1791, declaring a Day of Thanksgiving for Nov. 17, 1791 “It being our indispensable duty as a people, in a public and religious manner, to acknowledge the preserving and governing providence of Almighty God, and more especially to celebrate the Divine Goodness in the various blessings conferred upon us in the course of the year past. “I have therefore thought fit, with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint, and do hereby appoint Thursday the Twenty-Fifth Day of November next, to be religiously observed as a Day of Thanksgiving throughout this Commonwealth; hereby calling upon Ministers and people of all denominations, in their several assemblies, to unite with grateful hearts in celebrating the Praises of Almighty God, of His great goodness and bounty vouchsafed [given] to a sinful and unworthy people; particularly for the great and signal interpositions of His Providence in behalf of the United States in the course of the late contest, and that after being rescued from the dangers and calamities of war; peace has been restored to us, and that our public affairs are in so promising and happy a situation; for granting to us a plentiful harvest in the great abundance of the fruits of the earth; for the general health enjoyed throughout this State during the course of the year, and preventing epidemical and mortal distempers from spreading among us; reviving our trade, navigation and fishery and protecting the same from the insults of Pirates and other disasters; for directing and succeeding our public Councils, and above all for continuing to us the light of the blessed Gospel, and securing to us our religious and civil liberties and privileges. “And to join with their praises their earnest and humble supplications to Almighty God, for the pardon of our past ingratitude and other transgressions; and that He would grant that all instances of the Divine goodness may have an effectual influence for working a general reformation in all orders of persons among us; that so we may be that happy people, whose God is the Lord, and that all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the whole Earth may be filled with His Glory.” — John Hancock -“Yes, but…he never mentioned Jesus Christ.” Yes he did specifically mention Jesus Christ -“Yes, but… it was not done while Massachusetts was under the Federal Constitution.” (Constitution passed in 1787 and ratified by the states in 1789; this was 1791) Yes it was after the Constitution was passed. -“Yes, but… Hancock and all the other Founders were deists.” If Deists believed “that all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the whole Earth may be filled with His Glory.” Is that what most deists believe? I would think that phrase would qualify for a Christian worldview rather than a deist one. Have a happy Thanksgiving even though there are many voices clamoring for you to have an unhappy thanksgiving. What is an unhappy thanksgiving like? Everyone eats sour grapes, is generally cranky and unthankful but of course they are the smartest in the country and the universe. On top of that, they will let you know it. “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together Against the LORD and against his Anointed One The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them. “(Psalm 2:1-2,4)

John Hancock, John Adams at Church as young children

From birth until he was seven years old, John Hancock and John Adams attended the same church. You see John Hancock's father was the pastor at the church where John Adams attended church. Reverend John Hancock began to serve as pastor of the North Parish in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1726. John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 and Rev. Hancock baptized/christened him. John Hancock III who would later serve as President of Continental Congress was born on January 12, 1737 and was also baptised/christened there. If you noticed that he was John Hancock III, it was because he grandfather was also John Hancock. The first John Hancock was called Bishop John Hancock. He served as minister for 54 years at the Lexington Congregational Church. If you will recall,where did the British troops try to find John Hancock (III) and Samuel Adams to attempt to arrest them in April 1775? They sent troops out to Lexington, Massachusetts to arrest the ringleaders. Where did they stay? They stayed at the home of Rev. Clarke. If I left the description there (like many would do), I would be not telling the whole truth. He stayed at the manse of the Congregational church now called the Hancock-Clarke House. It gets its Hancock name after Rev. John Hancock the First who lived there 54 years (from 1698-1752). John Adams and John Hancock attended a small school together in 1742 under a Mrs. Belcher. In the spring of 1744, John Hancock the Second became ill and died. John Adams and John Hancock were split for the moment (as John Hancock the Third had to stop school) but were destined to work together later. John Hancock the Third stayed with his grandfather for a few months in Lexington until one day when his Uncle Thomas came and took him to live with himself and his wife Lydia in Boston. Thomas Hancock shared a similar background to Robert Morris and learned the shipping business and did exceedingly well. John Hancock learned greatly from his uncle and eventually inherited his business. Did John Hancock have a Christian worldview? Stay tuned!

PAC14 Interview "Write Stuff" with Andy Nunez (30 minutes)

Write Stuff: Andy Nunez, co host of Write Stuff, welcomes local author Phil Webster. Phil’s latest book, 1776 Faith is about the Christian Foundations of our Founding Fathers.