The First Continental Congress P5

Last week we ended with a question, “What was the impact of the first prayer at the First Continental Congress” and John Adams' explanation. According to 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. Duche’, unexpected to everybody, struck out into an extemporary (spontaneous heartfelt) prayer which filled the bosom of every man 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.

Several delegates likewise commented favorably on  Duche’s remarkable prayer, including Samuel Adams, Joseph Reed, and Samuel Ward. For example, Silas Deane reported that the prayer not only was “worth riding one hundred mile to hear” (about three days in the saddle) but that it was so powerful even the stern Quakers (a group frequently harassed by Duche’’s Anglican denomination) “shed tears” as they listened to it. Deane further noted that “the lessons (Scriptures) of the day were accidentally extremely applicable.,” John Adams agreed, affirming that the reading of Psalm 35 on that day, was not only “most admirably adapted” but Las that it was “Providential.”

More on this week for another American Moment.

Sourced From The American Story: The Beginnings by David Barton and Tim Barton.