3 minute quick read
Delegates gathered and signed the declaration of Independance on August 2, 1776
while the British fleet with 30,000 troops continue invading Long Island.
Click photo to consider why these men would risk their lives, families, and fortune to the wrath of King George III . . .
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Religious Affiliation of the Signers of The Declaration of Independence
26 Episcopalian/Anglican 46.4%
11 Congregationalist 19.6%
12 Presbyterian 21.4%
2 Quaker 3.6%
2 Unitarian 3.6%
2 Christian Deist 3.6%
1 Catholic 1.8%
TOTAL 56 Representing 7 Christian Viewpoints
The largest group of signers of the Declaration of Independence were Episcopalian, which as an organization, were less affected by “The Great Awakening”.
However, this movement stressed a universal need for personal faith in Jesus Christ along with a call to share that faith.
The meetings and discussions were not restricted to church buildings. Crowds attended open air lectures that generated conversations throughout the community.
Even Benjamin Franklin, though not a church attender, endorsed the meetings in his publications, and maintained a life-long friendship with the evangelist George Whitefield.
It was as if the colonists along the entire Eastern seaboard suddenly realized a need for everyone to personally seek the presence of God in their daily lives.
- This spiritual awakening transformed individuals, churches, and entire communities throughout the colonies.
- Diverse groups of people, including the slave population, were united with a sense of spiritual equality in the sight of God.
- This led many churches to develop a democratic form of church government without a hierarchical Clergy.
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Of the 56 Signers of Our Declaration of Independence:
64% grew up during the Great Awakening
14 born 1741- 1749
21 born 1730-1740
34% were young men
13 born 1720-1729
6 born 1710-1719
2 were 30+ years old
2 born 1706-1709
Stephen Hopkins (March 7, 1707)
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706)
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. . . Meditate in His Presence day and night . . .
Psalm 1 (paraphrase)
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