THANKSGIVING - The American Spirit - "The Founders' Dreams" - SAM ADAMS POST 2

FROM – THANKSGIVING - THE AMERICAN SPIRIT – “The Founders Dreams”  – A script and SHOW BOOK available for $0.76  at JEAN YEAGER’s ONLINE SHOP https://344944.e-junkie.com/

SAM ADAMS POST 2

ADAMS STANDING.

                                                                        SAMUEL ADAMS: (CONTINUING)

Most of us were refugees from one religious oppression, a new religious cycle started in New England – a fast and prayer day in the sweet days of spring and a day of thanksgiving in the harsh weather of early winter.

And when the harsh winter of conflict against King and Parliament finally came – assisted by a little tea party in Boston harbor – our earnest prayers were part of that day in Philadelphia.

And, what an effect it had!

We met at City Tavern and Coffee House then walked the two blocks to Carpenter’s Hall.

Washington was among us. A tall man with a hard countenance, yet with a very young look and an easy soldier-like air and gesture. He spoke very modestly with a determined style and accent.

Once we had assembled, Cushing of Massachusetts suggested we open our business with prayer.

 

What a hornet’s nest!

 

Jay of New York and Rutledge of South Carolina objected because, “We are so divided in religious sentiments – some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, some Congregationalists – how could we join in the same act of worship?”  They asked.

I had had about all of that I could take – it was unite or die! We’d put our heads in a noose just by meeting together

So, I stood and said simply that Sam Adams was no bigot. That I could hear a prayer from a gentleman of piety and virtue who was at the same time a friend of his country.

You could have heard a pin drop.

Everyone knew I was a devout Congregationalist – so they were shocked when I went on to suggest that an Anglican clergyman read the prayers.

By this unexpected act of tolerance, the atmosphere changed completely and the Continental Congress voted to pray.  It was their first decision. And they sent our President, Peyton Randolph, to invite the Reverend Mr. Duche from nearby Christ Church to lead us in prayer.

As I listened to that first vote, I looked around me at that little parliament of merchants, lawyers and planters. The congress of a vast continent.

They had discovered the answer to our first problem – the unity of America, on a deep     level – the level of prayers.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

FROM – THANKSGIVING - THE AMERICAN SPIRIT – “The Founders Dreams”  – A script and SHOW BOOK available for $0.76  at JEAN YEAGER’s ONLINE SHOP https://344944.e-junkie.com/