John Muhlenberg – The Patriot Pastor
One of the great stories from the American Revolutionary Era happened in Virginia – the story of the “Patriot Pastor,” John Peter Muhlenberg.
On January 21, 1776, at the Lutheran church in Woodstock, Virginia, Pastor Muhlenberg preached from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, which starts, “To everything there is a season.”
After reading the eighth verse, “a time of war, and a time of peace,” he declared, “And this is the time of war.” He then threw off his clerical robe to reveal the uniform of a Continental Army Colonel. It turns out that Pastor Muhlenberg also had a military background, and George Washington had personally asked him to raise and command the 8th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army.
Outside the church, drums began to roll as the men in the congregation turned to kiss their wives and then walked down the aisle of the church to enlist. Within a half hour, 162 men had joined the 8th Virginia Regiment and marched on to fight for their country’s independence.
After the Revolutionary War, John Muhlenberg went on to serve the new republic in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The “Patriot Pastor” became a great American story of faith and freedom.
John Muhlenberg – The Patriot Pastor
Randall acts as the lead writer for ColdWater’s Drive Thru History® TV series and Drive Thru History® “Adventures” curriculum.
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