Delta Dawn When the Light Comes On: Week Eleven

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Jehovah Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts). A fire goes before Him to burn up His enemies round about." Psalm 97:4, 5

Elbridge Gerry was a wealthy cod fisherman from Marblehead, Massachusetts. He was among the first Founding Fathers to finance a new nation. Because of his wealth, sea going ships and intrepid workmen, Britain's King George III targeted him, directly, with the Tea Stamp Act in 1773, in order to pay for the costly French and Indian War.

George Washington and many Patriots became battle savvy fighting as Britain's Colonists in that war. This training was a distinct advantage as the Declaration of Independence was signed in July of 1776. Elbridge Gerry was one of those signers.

"Craftsmen" were influential entrepreneurs trained by Biblical ethics; who believed in freedom for all men. Benjamin Franklin, printer, Thomas Paine, writer, Paul Revere, silversmith, Betsy Ross, seamstress, Gerry, a fisherman and 19-year-old Nathan Hale, teacher. They took note as Redcoats frequented their businesses. Information was relayed to General Washington on the battle front. Hale was caught and hung by the British. Dying, he declared, "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

Many pastors like Jonas Clark, brothers John and Frederick Meulenberg and John Witherspoon were feared by Britain above all others, referring to them as "The Black Robed Regiment". Not only did they preach freedom, they trained their parishioners in combat, sheltering leaders of the day. When Paul Revere set out on his midnight ride, he was headed to Jonas Clark's home to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock whom the British were mission minded to remove from America's power grid.

Elbridge Gerry and his traveling companions, Azor Orne and William Lee were alerted at the Black Horse Tavern (inn). They fled to a corn field in their nightshirts, spending the night in freezing weather. William Lee later died, but Gerry lived to become the 5th Vice-President of the United States of America under President John Adams.

The British moved onto Lexington Green and met up with 300 Patriots, a skirmish ensured. A shot was fired. To this day, no one knows who fired, first, but Elbridge Gerry, understood the political significance. In just ten days, he gathered witnesses, took depositions, verified facts, adding newspaper accounts that Britain fired first. He had to reach London before word arrived from the British General Gage. By secret mission, Gerry's Quero, a swift sea schooner under Captain John Derby, avoided British ships arriving at an Irish port just 29 days later. Derby continued by coach to London where Colonist Agent Arthur Lee brought news of Britain's preemptive strike to London's Mayor. A shot was heard around the world via newspapers, 12 days before General Gage's release arrived! Americans were not 'rebels', now, but victims! King George III never overcame the dishonor. Derby escaped safely back to Marblehead. The 1775-1783 American Revolution was under way! 

"Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle." Psalm 144:1. Source: The Indispensables by Patrick K. O'Donnell. 2021 pp. 120-123

Next Week: King Jesus