Rev. Steve Foss, Pastor, First Baptist Church Sun Lakes
Continuing my effort to encourage Sun Lakes towards traditional mores and faith practices, I hope our history might stir hearts to consider a return to a moral and civil society. For a myriad of reasons, many people detest those, like myself, who earn their living as ministers. And some even allow that prejudiced view to hinder any consideration of returning or attending a church. Perhaps looking into the lives of our forefathers, you may begin to form a different perspective.
Remembered as “The Fighting Parson,” James Caldwell served as a member of the first chaplain corps established by General George Washington. Yet, he also was known to use his musket to defend his fellow soldiers. Rev. Caldwell served in a New Jersey Presbyterian church prior to joining the Continental Army.
In the 1780 Battle of Springfield, troops ran out of wadding for their muskets. It was Caldwell who came up with the clever idea to use pages from church hymn books for that very purpose.
As he tore out pages of the beloved hymns, he reportedly encouraged the troops with the words, “Give ‘em Watts!” (Isaac Watts was a beloved hymn writer of that era.) Such demonstrative zeal helped inflame the troops with revolutionary fervor.
Virginia Lutheran minister Peter Muhlenberg concluded a sermon in a memorable fashion: As he removed his clerical vestments, his congregation was surprised to discover that under his robe he was wearing a Continental Army uniform. In his role change, he declared, “There is a time to preach, and a time to fight.” He later rose to the rank of Major General in the Continental Army. His example fueled the fusion of devotion to both faith and freedom!
John Gano was the founding pastor of the First Baptist Church of New York City. He, too, served as a chaplain in the Continental Army. There is a traditional story told identifying him as the one who baptized Washington, though it has never been verified through baptismal certificates. However, his impact did serve to strengthen the troops with moral resolve. Gano was also instrumental in establishing a strong Baptist presence in the new republic.
So, what’s the point? Our country was rooted in a worldview sourced from the biblical descriptions of freedom and freedom’s source. Freedom is found in the Lord. Try it.