The First Continental Congress P4

Last week I talked about how at the First Continental Congress a motion was made that it should be opened with prayer. It met with resistance and was opposed because the Congress was represented by many different denominations and those denominations could not join the same act of worship. They worried that inviting a member of the clergy from one denomination would meet opposition from the others. I then stated how Samuel Adams turned it around by quoting the Rev. Whitefield’s Acts 10:35 sermon how God accepts from every nation those who fear Him and worketh righteousness. That Whitefield-like suggestion penetrated the hearts of the other delegates.

Samuel Adams stated that (Cushing’s) motion was seconded and passed in the affirmative. The next morning he (Mr. Duche’) appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals (robe worn by high church clergy during services. But Duche’, rather than solely following the traditional Anglican formality of reading from the Book of Common Prayer, launched into an unforeseen, passionate, and spontaneous prayer, surprising everyone present. He also spent time reading Psalm 35. What was the impact? 

More on this next week when we hear John Adams' explanation of the impact of Duche’s prayer.

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