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Contemporaries Sam Adams, Meyhew and Witherspoon

The facts are that Sam Adams, Meyhew and Witherspoon were contemporaries. Johnathan Meyhew was born in 1720, Adams in 1722 and Witherspoon in 1723. Adams graduated Harvard in 1740 with an AM and a Masters Degree in 1742. Meyhew graduated in 1744 and Witherspoon received his Master from the University of Edinburgh in 1739. Sadly, hardly anyone really knows much about these three.

Cornerstones

Because of being born and educated in a most similar manner, these men, respectively, were the cornerstones of the Foundation of America. Sam Adams was known as ‘The Father of the American Revolution’. Then Meyhew, who died ten years before the Declaration of Independence, was called by John Adams “the morning gun of the Revolution.” J. Adams also dubbed him a “transcendent genius.” Robert Treat Paine called Dr. Mayhew, “The Father of Civil and Religious Liberty in Massachusetts and America.” While Witherspoon, his full name John Knox Witherspoon, upon his arrival in America as President of Princeton became fully engaged in the political environment of the day.

Therefore as President of  Princeton, Witherspoon improved every aspect of the university. Notably he was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence and remained on the Continental Congress in various Committees along with Sam Adams (especially the Committee on War). Lastly, he was elected as a Congressman to the New National Constitutional Congress. Oh, and he had a solid Pulpit ministry as well. His renowned Sermon is in the references for you to read. It was profound in summarizing the common beliefs throughout the Newly formed States of that time. The Sermon is ‘Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men’.

That Sermon is Very much what we need to hear and understand in our present day!

Core Truth and Principles

What we need  now is the Fundamental reminder of Core Truth and Principles. To that end, today I introduced ‘The Chaplains and Clergy of the Revolution’. In another week I will be doing a series directly from this book on the SamuelAdamsReturns YouTube channel .

With that said, We MUST understand our Foundational Truths to keep the Republic and Constitutionalism working according to Original Intent.

And because you keep asking!

References:

The video of the program is at the SamuelAdamsReturns YouTube channel

1. Witherspoon’s ‘Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men (Sermon)‘

2. The Chaplains and Clergy of the Revolution

3. Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers – with Some Reflections on the Resistance Made to King Charles I by: Rev. Jonathan Mayhew (preached January 30, 1750)