Men of Faith: John Hancock
For my July post this year, I decided I wanted to learn more about one of our Founding Fathers. As I studied the life of John Hancock (the man who has the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence!) I learned that although some historians do not consider him religious, he does fit my description as a “Man of Faith.”
In an article entitled, “John Hancock: A Neglected American Hero,” it states:
Neither scholars nor popularizers have paid much attention to Hancock’s faith even though it strongly shaped his view of the world and his actions. A life-long member of the Brattle Street (Congregationalist) Church in Boston, Hancock frequently used biblical arguments to justify America’s revolt against England and providentialist language to describe its battle to obtain independence. In addition, while serving as Massachusetts’ governor, he repeatedly thanked God for blessing its residents, exhorted them to repent of their sins, and strove to base state policies on his understanding of the biblical norms of justice and fairness. Convinced that moral conduct depended on Christian commitment, he supported the establishment of Congregationalism in Massachusetts and the strict observance of the Sabbath.
John Hancock wrote a resolution on April 15, 1775, requesting that his colony have a day of fasting and prayer. This is an excerpt:
“All confidence must be withheld from the Means we use; and reposed only on that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven, and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness--and all created Power Vanity.
"It is the Happiness of his Church that, when the Powers of Earth and Hell combine against it...that the Throne of Grace is of the easiest access--and its Appeal thither is graciously invited by the Father of Mercies, who has assured it, that when his Children ask Bread he will not give them a Stone....
"RESOLVED, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the good People of this Colony of all Denominations, that THURSDAY the Eleventh Day of May next be set apart as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer...to confess the sins...to implore the Forgiveness of all our Transgression...and a blessing on the Husbandry, Manufactures, and other lawful Employments of this People; and especially that the union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights (for hitherto we desire to thank Almighty GOD) may be preserved and confirmed....And that AMERICA may soon behold a gracious Interposition of Heaven. "By Order of the [Massachusetts] Provincial Congress, John Hancock, President.”
I admire John Hancock’s leadership, tenacity, and desire to use his wealth and influence to help America withstand the pressures it was facing and become the great country it is today. As men and women who live in the United States of America at the present time, it is now our turn to stand up and continue this legacy of faith. As we turn to God, never away from Him, we will have the strength of character to go forward making all the sacrifices necessary for those who come after us. True faith in God and a desire to know and do His will is what will help us succeed.