It was a terribly hot and
muggy day, that fateful day, in a small meeting
room there in Philadelphia. Fifty-six brave men
were in a heavy and sobering conversation – just
what to do with America. And, just by coming
together they were committing high treason – an
offense punishable by death. King George had
made it oh so clear – any colonist who stood up
against the British Empire, any one who dared to
challenge his rule, would be crushed.
But, just who were these 56 men who were there?
They were businessmen, teachers, ministers,
university professors, farmers, sailors –
regular hard working dedicated, ordinary
Americans just like you and me. But, what they
did there at what we now call Independence Hall,
the commitment they made, was anything but
ordinary. In fact, it was extraordinary! To know
the depth of their conviction, just look at the
Declaration itself.
They wrote, “with a firm reliance on the
protection of Divine Providence, we mutually
pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes,
and our sacred honor”.
And when they said it, they meant it. There was
John Hancock, the first to sign the Declaration.
By the way, there’s a reason why his signature
is so large on the Declaration. After the
signing he commented that he wanted King George
to be able to see his signature clearly without
his glasses. But, did you know that John Hancock
at that time was one of the wealthiest people in
America? But he was willing to put all of his
wealth, all of his property, all of his world
possessions on the line for the cause of
freedom. What a commitment!
But speaking of signatures on the Declaration of
Independence, get a copy, find a copy of that
Declaration, and look at the names. As you look,
you’ll see Charles Carroll’s signature. Look
carefully and notice that next to his name he
wrote his address. He knew the British soldiers
would be coming for him but he bravely stood
firm.
And look at another name, Stephen Hopkins.
Notice that his signature looks shaky. At the
time of the signing, Stephen Hopkins was in the
early stages of a condition, perhaps Parkinson's
Disease, which caused his hand to shake. But
when he signed, he made it clear to all there
that his signature might look shaky, but that he
was not afraid.
Are you afraid to stand up and speak out for
what is good and right and true? Prove it.
Throughout our war
history, there have been many unlikely participants. One
of these was minister, Peter Muhlenberg. You see, on
January 21, 1776, Minister Peter Muhlenberg delivered a
powerful sermon to his Virginia congregation from the
book of Ecclesiastes that spoke of the season and time
for every purpose under heaven. When he arrived at the
verse declaring a time for war, he removed his clerical
robe and under it the shocked congregation saw a
Continental Army officer's uniform. Pastor Muhlenberg
marched to the back of the church and asked for
recruits; over 100 joined him to become the eighth
Virginia Brigade. Muhlenberg rose to the rank of Major
General and fought to the end of the Revolutionary War.
Wow!
