Crying "No taxation without representation," he instigated the Stamp Act riots and the Boston Tea Party.
After the "Boston Massacre," he spread Revolutionary sentiment with his Committees of Correspondence.
Known as "The Father of the American Revolution," his name was Samuel Adams, born SEPTEMBER 27, 1722.
Samuel Adams called for the first Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence, stating
"We
have explored the temple of royalty, and found that the idol we have
bowed down to, has eyes which see not, ears that hear not our prayers,
and a heart like the nether millstone.
We have this day restored the Sovereign, to whom alone all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven...
We have fled from the political Sodom; let us not look back...
We may, with humility of soul, cry out, 'Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy Name be the praise'...
Providence is yet gracious unto Zion, that it will turn away the captivity of Jacob."
A cousin of 2nd President John Adams, Samuel Adams wrote in
The Rights of Colonists, 1772:
"Among
the natural rights of Colonists are: First, a right to life; Secondly,
to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to defend
them...
The supreme power cannot justly take from any man any part of his property without his consent."
In
The Rights of the Colonists, section "The Rights of the Colonist as Subjects," Samuel Adams wrote:
"
Government has no right to absolute, arbitrary power over the lives and fortunes of the people;
nor can mortals assume a prerogative...reserved for the exercise of the Deity alone."
In
The Rights of the Colonists, section "The Rights of the Colonist as Men," Samuel Adams wrote:
"In
regards to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions
thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever
practiced...
It is now generally agreed among Christians that
this spirit of toleration, in the fullest extent consistent with the
being of civil society, is the chief characteristical mark of the
church."
In
The Rights of the Colonists, section "The Rights of the Colonist as Christians," Samuel Adams wrote:
"The
right to freedom being the gift of God Almighty, the rights of the
Colonists as Christians may best be understood by reading and carefully
studying the institutions of The Great Law Giver and the Head of the
Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated
in the New Testament."
When
the Continental Congress first met, September 6, 1774, Samuel Adams
proposed that it be opened with prayer, even though the delegates
belonged to different Christian denominations which did not always get
along:
"...Christian men, who had come together for solemn
deliberation in the hour of their extremity, to say there was so wide a
difference in their religious belief that they could not, as one man,
bow the knee in prayer to the Almighty, whose advice and assistance they
hoped to obtain."
John Adams described this to his wife, Abigail:
"When the Congress met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with Prayer.
It
was opposed by Mr. Jay of New York, and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina
because we were so divided in religious sentiments, some Episcopalians,
some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, and some
Congregationalists, that we could not join in the same act of worship.
Mr.
Samuel Adams arose and said that he was no bigot, and could hear a
Prayer from any gentleman of Piety and virtue, who was at the same time a
friend to his Country.
He was a stranger in Philadelphia, but
had heard that Mr. Duche' (Pastor of Christ Episcopal Church,
Philadelphia), deserved that character and therefore he moved that Mr.
Duche', an Episcopal clergyman might be desired to read Prayers to
Congress tomorrow morning.
The motion was seconded, and passed in the affirmative."
Get the book, Prayers and Presidents - Inspiring Faith from Leaders of the PastIn 1775, when British General Gage tried to intimidate him, Samuel Adams sent the message back:
"I
trust I have long since made my peace with the King of Kings. No
personal consideration shall induce me to abandon the righteous cause of
my country.
Tell Governor Gage it is the advice of Samuel Adams to him no longer to insult the feelings of an exasperated people."
On April 30, 1776, Samuel Adams wrote to John Scollay of Boston:
"Revelation assures us that 'Righteousness exalteth a nation.'
Communities
are dealt with in this world by the wise and just Ruler of the
Universe. He rewards or punishes them according to their general
character...
Public liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals.
'The
Roman Empire,' says the historian, 'must have sunk, though the Goths
had not invaded it. Why? Because the Roman virtue was sunk.'
Could I be assured that America would remain virtuous, I would venture to defy the utmost efforts of enemies to subjugate her."
American Minute-Notable Events of American Significance Remembered on the Date They Occurred Samuel Adams stated:
"Neither
the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty
and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt."
Samuel Adams was elected as Governor of Massachusetts, and wrote to James Warren, February 12, 1779, warning:
"A
general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely
overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common
enemy.
While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but
once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their
liberties to the first external or internal invader."
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Faith in History
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