Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
For nearly 250 years, America has been an independent thriving nation. If you have read other blogs I have written, you have read my focus on the thread of exceptionalism which has made it a great nation. But in this blog, I will focus on some of the specific moves or miracles of Providence which has gotten “her” to where she is today.
The First and Second Great Awakening
Both the First Great Awakening and the Second Great Awakening were pivotal events in American history. The First Great Awakening in America, which took place between 1726 and 1775, stimulated many of the early American colleges. George Whitefield, the main figure of the first awakening, traveled up and down the seaboard on 7 different circuit rides (1738 – 1770), and preached as many as 18,000 sermons during his lifetime.
If you have not, please watch this movie:
Higher Education Trains Youth and Molds Culture
A sketch of the early American higher education system notes few secular views which can be traced to the original universities of the period. Every college in Colonial America, except the University of Pennsylvania, was founded to prepare young men for ministry. Harvard (1636), Yale (1701), and Dartmouth (1769) were founded by the Puritans/Congregationalists. William and Mary (1693) and Columbia (1754) were founded by the Church of England. Princeton (1746), then the College of New Jersey, was founded by the Presbyterians; Brown (1764), then Rhode Island College, was founded by Baptists; and the Dutch Reformed Church founded Rutgers (1766). The Founding Fathers were typically trained in classical Christian education, the educational model of the period. This led to a society, even down to the small village being trained by these types of leaders and scholars.
The awakening had a specific influence on Princeton University. A key figure of the First Great Awakening was William Tennent, who settled and built Log College, which later became the College of New Jersey, and finally Princeton University. The revival of the First Great Awakening, which emphasized biblical authority and holy living, continued to be a catalyst for starting the “Church College.” These colleges were started by individual churches or groups of churches. The Second Great Awakening, which took place between 1786 and 1805, began in several Eastern colleges and then spread to the South and West. Both awakenings had a major influence on Christian education, especially in colleges and universities. 180 of the 207 colleges established before the Civil War were denominationally sponsored.
According to Eavey, “Christianity was the mother of education in America” (p. 202). By everything I have read, Christianity was embedded into the youth’s learning of the day, which built the moral culture of the nation. This cannot be overlooked!! Many believe there would be no American Revolution if there would have been no George Whitefield!!
A City on a Hill
Many Founders believed the states and then the United States was the new Israel. Simply that it was chosen by God for a specific purpose, I like to say some of the founding groups chose God to be the main part of the purpose. But it is interesting that this nation did not rise until, as many prophetic bible scholars point out, near the end of human history as we know it. Many Bible Scholars call our current times, the End of Days.
So convinced was the Founders resolve in this new Israel, that they would sign their names on documents in 1776 knowing this could be the end of their homes and legacy, including their own lives. But they were willing to sign anyway for the cause.
The Bullet Proof General George Washington
During the French and Indian War in 1755, Washington served under General Braddock. 1400 British soldiers were marching to Fort Duquesne, near present day Pittsburgh. They were ambushed by French regulars, Canadians, Potawatomi and Ottawa Indians. 900 British died that day, Washington was not one of them. He had carried orders back and forth across the front lines and 4 bullet holes went through the sides of his coat, and 2 horses were shot out from under him. Every other officer was shot that day, except Washington. An Indian warrior later wrote, “I had 17 clean shots at him, Washington was obviously protected and I could not bring him to the ground.”
Happy Birthday, America!!! 250 years is a great feat!!!
Resources:
Eavey, C. (1964). History of Christian education. Chicago, IL: Moody Press.
Hyatt, E. (2016). Pilgrims and patriots. Grapevine, TX: Hyatt Press.
Noll, M. (2006). The Christian college: A history of Protestant higher education in America (Introduction). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker House.
