City on a hill!

A City on a Hill

By Stan Richardson

A city on a hill. That’s the way he saw it. An apt description. This colonial experiment. Many called it a colonial blunder. 

If anyone knew imperialism, it was his majesty the king. Charles II systematically wooed trading partners throughout the known world. His influence had blossomed into a compelling case for alignment, bordering on governance. 

The American colonies however, were different. Raw, untamed, inhospitable. Was there gold, as he surmised? Perhaps other natural resources that were suited for profit making? Though difficult to admit, he just didn’t know. Small expeditions of adventurers had seized upon the kings offer for land. But not until he had upped the ante to include a modest degree or of freedom,  or as it was called, self-determination, did the Puritans come knocking. 

The truth is, more than half of the original settlers, as they became known, had died within two years of their arrival. Virginia, Massachusetts, both with alluring charters, were by most measures, failing. This is what the king knew. America was a place of considerable importance.  Beyond this certainty, in his gut, he knew not why. As the victor of  Christ, he would certainly like to hear from God on the matter.

The Puritan problem was like a swarm of gnats that simply would not go away. They certainly would not go to church. To be clear, they would not go to his church. No, these Puritans, these religious purists, saw the Church of England as nothing less than an abomination. To these Puritans, the Lord Jesus Christ was the true head of His church. No one, not the pope, nor the king of England, could usurp His authority. From king Henry until now, they refused to recognize the legitimacy of the crown as head of the church. Thereby, they were fugitives and outlaws.

Perhaps King Charles, the vicar of Christ, had indeed heard from God concerning the American problem. Those pesky Puritans seemed to him a hearty sort. What with their evasive prowess, their secret though illegal worship gatherings. Even those in the tower were defiant, yet principled to a fault. Given their sole demand of religious freedom, would they not be prime to tame the wilds of America? A delicate matter indeed, says the vicar. With only small, barely perceptible changes to the Massachusetts Bay colonial charter, the requirement to be good Anglicans was, let’s just say, it was softened. No such action was taken concerning the Virginia charter.  Thus, to this day, Anglicanism is still prominent in the mid-Atlantic region.

With these “new freedoms” in place, the Puritan leaders began promoting the idea of migrating to the new world. Their singular prayer is and has been to worship freely. As compelling as this was, the rigors of an ocean crossing, the anticipation of the harsh, native environment, their rank and file were less than enthusiastic.

Notable among their leaders was pastor/teacher, John Winthrop. Well respected, revered, doggedly determined. If no one else saw the way forward, he did! It consumed his every thought. He saw it in his study of the holy scriptures, in his prayers, in his counsel to the fellow leaders of the movement. He saw an opportunity!

King Charles was more than willing to charter these troublemakers. As he saw it, he had skillfully lured them into his web! More likely, the hand of Providence had brought together two opposite forces, for both their good and for His glory. Granted, Charles had “solved” his Puritan problem, while, and at the same time, these oppressed people had, again by divine Providence,  been granted a world stage upon which to herald the good news of the gospel of Christ.

After all was said and done, a group of 1000 Puritans boarded ships bound for America. Ocean crossings such as these were difficult, sometimes deadly. Wintrop’s fleet consisted of eleven ships, following the flag aboard Arbella. It has been said that these land lovers were seasick from start to finish. Perhaps an exaggeration, but some among the ship’s crew however were quick to add torment and jeering. While it was not uncommon that some may perish from the rigors of such a voyage, none died, save two. Mr Craddock’s servant was sickly upon departure, and never should have come. The other a seaman, “a most profane fellow, and one who was very injurious to the passengers, though much against the will of the master seaman”.  Thus his soul was required of him just short of America.

Prior to their departure, King Charles appointed the Reverend Winthrop as his majesty’s Governor over the lands they would claim in America. He daily consorted with God in prayer and much study to learn what must be done upon their arrival. Two month at sea provides time for such musings. His infamous sermon delivered just prior to disembarking marked a crux moment in American history.  The king would be watching. Indeed the whole of the world would show keen interest in this colonial experiment. Free exercise of religion. Freedom to go and do, to assembly,  to speak one’s mind. To self govern (within limits). These are the very tenets, declared by the monarchs of the past, that breed chaos, ending in anarchy. Kings held that wise monarchs and their courts provided far better governance than the chaos of self determination. Centuries of “official” history cast serious doubt on any prospect for these Puritans achieving even modest success.

Indeed the governor knew the world would be watching. Further he knew precisely what he wished for them to see. He was drawn to a particularly famous sermon, one so succinct, so to the point, that he borrowed from it. His people, these outlaws from British justice. These people would very shortly be thrust upon the world stage. Conspicuously exposed. Meticulously examined. On the line is the proposition that men, by faith,  can live in freedom. Ah, for such a time as this…

These Puritans sprang largely, but not exclusively, from the gentry. Their reformation efforts concerning the Church of England had the affect of rending them persona non grata with both church and state. Though a good name and social standing mark only carnal achievement, these would indeed provide a wholesome canvas upon which to paint the vision of “a city on a hill”! To his own young upstart, Paul admonished Timothy to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12” Believers and scpoffers alike will analyze your every action. Winthrop might have said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. – John 12:35”.

The world, largely without hope, they did take notice. Even through toil, their love, their Source of love, never failed. More than 200 of the faithful 1000 died within a year of their arrive. Having not seen the promise, they died in faith that the promise would one day be realized.

Hundreds, even thousands of those once nay sayers began arriving on the shores of this great land. Knowing the impact of these immigrants, both good and bad, Wintrop laid the lines for what would soon become Boston. A city on a hill,  a beacon of light.  To all those who thirsted for freedom. They came from afar, every tribe, every race, every tongue. 

The colonies became renowned for its peculiar governance, its civil unity, for its neighborly tolerance. Wintrop,  other prominent leaders of the time, took to the pulpits to articulate the tenants that made these colonies, well, peculiar! Wintrop was instrumental in the passage of the Old Deluder Act of 1642 where” All youth are to be taught to read perfectly the English tongue, have knowledge in the laws and be taught some orthodox catechism“. Clear to colonial leadership, the ability to read English was key to the future of the colonies. For one, the holy scriptures, the primary source of guidance for colonial governance, was written in English. Secondly, and as important, among the thousands of immigrants arriving on these shores, governance required that they learn, use, and conduct their civil  life, using the English  language. English then, was a primary unifying mechanism for both original and for new citizens. Which follows that the holy scriptures too were at the core of their uniqueness. 

The core. Heart and soul. These Puritan values, those who preached these values, these were to sparks of freedom that lead to a revolution. Young pulpiteers that followed, Whitfield, Edwards, Wesley, Witherspoon fanned the flames that soon blossomed into a clarion call. No, more than a call. I demand, for a free and independent nation. This colonial experiment became the king’s colonial problem. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson captured a defining moment with his Concord Hymn. “The shot heard round the world” denoted the point of no return. These rebels were committed to their death to raze a flame so bright, a song so loud, that all the world would take notice. This city on a hill, this piercing light, shone as a solitary brilliance. Who would answer the call of freedom? Who will take up and support the founding cause of our liberty?

Perhaps no one better articulates what Wintrop had seen deep within his soul as succinctly as did President Ronald Reagan. In his farewell address (1/11/89). 

But in my mind [this shining city on a hill] was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it, and see it still.

There are those who loathe the very idea that America is, and as a right, ought to be, free. They relentlessly pursue every evil device to diminish, even to destroy this city on a hill. 

I, for one, choose to stand with John Wintrop, with those who have fought and even died to secure, protect, and defend our freedom. Adams, Jefferson, Washington. Leaders who have stood with conviction to advance the cause of freedom. I agree with Reagan, this shining city on a hill is perhaps the last bastion of freedom in our generation. Our resolve is the last line of defense. United we stand. Divided we fall. We can unify in this, the city on a hill is worth saving, so help us God, let’s save it!

Stan Richardson