FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Rev. Jonathan Mayhew on Seeking Redress of Grievances
(QUICK READ) — John Adams described the Rev. Jonathan Mayhew as “the spark that lit the American Revolution” and there is no doubt that this Boston preacher was a major influence on how colonists in the Northern section of the nascent nation viewed rebellion against established authority.
Mayhew was for many years pastor at the Old West Church, a Boston congregational gathering. His sermons and lectures, however, were reprinted and circulated widely in the American colonies, and his political views were well-known to most of the men who adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The essence of Mayhew’s contention that revolt is justified against a magistrate who refuses to respect the natural rights of a people was orthodox Protestant Reformation theology. He is often referred to today as an early liberal but, while he rejected Puritanism, he very much accepted Christian Trinitarianism and was a voice of reason in the decades leading up to the events of 1776:
“When once magistrates act contrary to their office and … cease to be the ordinance and ministers of God… (it is warrantable) to disobey … in cases of very great and general oppression, when humble remonstrances fail of having any effect; and when the public welfare cannot be otherwise provided for and secured, to rise unanimously even against the sovereign himself, in order to redress their grievances; to vindicate their natural and legal rights; … to free themselves and posterity from inglorious servitude and ruin.” — Jonathan Mayhew, in the sermon A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-resistance to the Higher Powers, On August 8, 1765 (from The influence of “The Black Robes”). Cited by Mark Strand.
Many of the quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” weekly series of posts are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.
Quotations are also compiled from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to all congressional aides, be they working on Capitol Hill or in a state or district office back home.
Mark was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).