The Great Awakening P16

Last week I spoke about the Congregationalist minister Jonathan Mayhew who preached the sermon, “Concerning Unlimited Submission,” reminding his listeners, that rebellion against tyrants could be both Biblical and just.

Jonathan Mayhew, wrote to James Otis (mentor of Sam Adams, John Hancock and other leading Patriots), telling him: “You have heard of communion (or unity) of the churches….While I was thinking of this,…(the) importance of a communion (or unity) of the colonies appeared to me in a strong light.” Mayhew then proposed “to send circulars to all the rest” of the colonies to help achieve unity among them in both thinking and action of key issues.

Mayhew’s impact was substantial in other areas as well. John Adams affirmed he was one of the individuals “most conspicuous, the most ardent, and influential” in the “awakening and revival of American principles and feelings,” that led to our Independence.

So although few pastors had the reach and influence of Whitefield, there were scores of others who, like Davies, Williams, and Mayhew, impacted their communities by shaping the people and their thinking.

Content sourced from The American Story, The Beginnings by Dave Barton & Tim Barton