We find ourselves in a situation that has not yet presented itself in most of our lifetimes, until now. In this time of crisis it is the right move, but no doubt, we are all feeling the grave impact in one way or another. Schools, organizations, stores and now even churches have been forced to close their doors to secure the health and safety of others. Organized sporting events for all ages have been wiped from the calendar. Plans and long awaited celebrations have been canceled. The once theoretical idea of the “wilderness” has now hit close to home. And now none of those words even begin to touch on the gravity of where we are as a nation. I knew that this topic of wilderness had been assigned to me and had even begun to write on the subject in preparation for this week. See, I am the blog manager and content developer for Joy Of It, and I have had weekly writing themes scheduled since last November. He reminded me of that this week through something as simple, yet as personal, as they very writing of this blog. I do know, and can say with confidence that this is not a surprise to God. For others, particularly those in public health and the medical field, this is not as much of a surprise. Our cities, states, nation and world are on lock down and we are retreating to our respective dwelling places alone, yet in it together.įor some of us, this seems to have arrived out of the blue, catching us off guard. “Is this really happening?”Īmidst my disbelief, it is clearly happening. John Eliot, the missionary.I’ve had the same waking thought this past week. He was a graduate of Harvard College, a poet, almanac-maker, and astronomer, and an associate of the Rev. ![]() Samuel Danforth (1626-1674) was pastor of the church in Roxbury, Massachusetts. They have chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from them.” While Danforth excoriates those who have put worldly concerns above New England’s religious mission, and enumerates examples of God’s special punishments and trials directed at the colony, he also holds out the “promise of divine Protection and Preservation” and the opportunity to “choose this for our Portion, To sit at Christ’s feet and hear his word and whosoever complain against us, the Lord Jesus will plead for us. “You have solemnly professed before God, Angels and Men, that the Cause of your leaving your Country, Kindred and Fathers houses, and transporting your selves with your Wives, Little Ones and Substance over the vast Ocean into this waste and howling Wilderness, was your Liberty to walk in the Faith of the Gospel with all good Conscience according to the Order of the Gospel, and your enjoyment of the pure Worship of God according to his Institution, without humane Mixtures and Impositions.”ĭanforth’s sermon is an eloquent and extended meditation on the words of Jesus in Matthew, chapter 11, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?”-concerning the character and function of John the Baptist, both as prophet and as harbinger or forerunner of the Messiah. Addressed to the assembled delegates on the occasion of the election of officers for the Massachusetts General Court, it asks the very pointed question: “What is it that distinguisheth New-England from other Colonies and Plantations in America?” The answer, of course, is that the Puritan colonies (Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven) were founded for the pursuit of religious ends by the reformed Protestant churches of England: Samuel Danforth’s election sermon of 1670 is a classic example of the New England jeremiad.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |