Colonial Pastors in Public Affairs - Rev. John Wise P1

The Rev. John Wise was a pastor in the rural town of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Although few today are familiar with him, distinguished professor of history Clinton Rossiter, considered Wise one of the six most influential persons in shaping the American thinking that led to independence.

In addition to the Rev. Wise’s vast intellect and deep Biblical knowledge, he was also a man of great physical strength, known throughout the area as a skilled and powerful wrestler. Late in Wise’s life, the youthful John Chandler, a ship captain and a master wrestler of the Andover community, came to Wise’s home and challenged him in a wrestling match.

Only seconds after the match began, Wise grabbed the young Chandler, lifted him above his head and tossed him completely over the front wall of his yard. Thoroughly embarrassed, Chandler quickly got to his feet, brushed himself off and in good humor informed the Rev. Wise that he would be on his way back to Andover — just as soon as Pastor Wise threw his horse over the wall after him? More on Rev. Wise next week concerning his spiritual life on another American Moment.

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