The Black-Robed regiment
The clergy of America during the American Revolutionary War (1776-1781) were patriotic, courageous and boldly proclaimed the Word of God.
The clergy of America during the American Revolutionary War (1776-1781) were patriotic, courageous and boldly proclaimed the Word of God “as it applied to everything in life, whether spiritual or temporal, whether related to eternal life with Christ or to issue such as taxes, education, public policies, good government, military or any other matter that the Bible addressed” (quoted from a WallBuilders publication, 2014). The British called these courageous and fearless clergy, who were mostly pastors, the Black-Robed Regiment.
Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, was a leader in the “Black-Robed Regiment” and was known at the Fighting Chaplain. He served in the New Jersey militia, was always ready to defend freedom, and placed two pistols by his pulpit while he was preaching. IN 1780, while he was with his troops, the British burned down his church, and his wife was shot dead by a British solider while she was at home attending the needs of their nine children. In 1781, James Caldwell was shot dead by a drunk American soldier. What a courageous patriot and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Interestingly, the motto of the U.S. Army Chaplaincy is pro deo et patria (for God and country).
America needs revival, another spiritual awakening, a turning back to God and the Bible. The clergy of America must stand up and answer the challenge to lead the American people back to God and to the inspired teaching of the Bible. We have the calling and the charge from God Almighty.
An early lawyer, evangelist and college president named Charles G. Finney (1792-1875) gave this warning to a gathering of his fellow Christian ministers, and it is a warning that can also be applied to those of us who are members of the clergy of today. Here is his warning:
“If the world (or America) loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it. If satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.”
America needs a Black-Robed Regiment today who will boldly speak out on all issues related to America. Clergy of America, it is time to resurrect the Black-Robed Regiment.
Peace!
Author
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