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(THE REAL TRUTH...continued from Page 3)
by a “government and its church” from 1629 until 1776. This was 147 years. And, then even after the revolution, the government and the Anglican Church still maintained control in some areas.
During these years, ministers in var- ious places in the colonies often knew what it was like to face the scorn and fury of a hostile “government and its church.”
The “government and its church” must have thought
they could beat the ministers into submission. If they would not will- ingly bend to the “government and its church’s” demands, they would be bent at the hands of mobs and government “officials” who were more than ready to use the whip.
In the reign of terror that followed, ministers were thrown into jail for dis- obeying the “government and its church’s” commands. They must have felt that these “rebels” who dared to defy their orders would soon run like scared chickens
and the control the “government and its church” had maintained would continue in the colonies.
However, the preachers did not stop preaching and their congregations did not stop listening. If their pastor was arrested and put in jail, their services would go on, even if it meant the con- gregation had to stand in the street in order hear to their pastor preach his Sunday message through a jail cell win- dow.
It was during this trying times that Reuben Ford purposed that he would do everything in his power to oppose the tyranny of a “government and its church” that was bent on destroying all religious freedoms that did not meet with their approval.
According to history, Reuben Ford became more active than any other min- ister in lobbying lawmakers to end the government’s oppression of those who dared to live as they felt the Holy Scrip- tures instructed.
Many Christians in the colonies felt they could not longer conduct their lives according to the dictates of the “govern- ment and its church.”
The revolution was looming on the horizon. Ford began to offer all of his assistance to the “revolutionaries” who were determined at any cost, to throw off the yoke of the “government and its church.”
Ford became a leader in working to secure liberty for all Christians who, because of conscience, felt they could not compromise their faith and follow a “government and its church” in a di- rection they believed was diametrically opposed to God’s Word.
It was Reuben Ford who was chosen by the churches in Virginia, to represent them at the House of Representatives.
It was because of Ford’s diplomatic skills and reasoning with the lawmakers that caused these unlawful bills to fail to pass.
Ford continually opposed these unjust laws, using all of his abilities and persua- sive powers to stop the persecution of Christians in the colonies.
On July 4, 1776, the end of the revolu- tion was finally a reality. On this same day,
Rev. Reuben Ford founded another church. All together he was instrumental in help- ing to establish five churches in Virginia. All five of these churches are still doing well today.
Many thought that with the end of the revolution that the colonist would fi- nally be free of the shackles of England. It was thought by many that the govern- ment intervention against them would also cease.
But it didn’t. Even after
the revolution, Anglican ministers were still the only clergy members who were still legally able to marry couples.
In light of the new gov- ernment’s restrictions there was still much work today. As of yet, there was no bill of rights and the fledgling churches in Virginia were still facing government in- tervention ino their affairs.
Ford took the forefront in behalf of churches across Virginia, lobbying tirelessly at the General Assembly for complete religious free- dom.
In 1779, Thomas Jeffer- son sought to answer the question of religious free- dom when he issued his “Status for Religious Free- dom,” but it still did not go far enough.
Ford and other minis- ters with him continued to work diligently with the new national government to see changes were enacted that would provide ministers and churches, the rights and priv- ileges that were due them.
It was noted in history that Reuben Ford, more than any other minister at that time, was instrumental in influencing the General Assembly for equal reli- gious rights for all people in American.
Ford had the favor of the members of the General Assembly because of his whole-hearted-support of the revolutionary war. Ford had always been ready
to assist the “rebels” with food, supplies and whatev- er else he could do to help them in overthrowing the English government.
It was Ford’s work with the General Assembly in 1785 that caused a law to be passed giving all clergy members the right to per- form marriage ceremonies. Something ministers not ordained with the Anglican Church had not been able to do in over 156 years.
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HAS CONGRESS CHANGED???
Congressional Fast Day Proclamation
Library of Congress
Congress proclaimed days of fasting and of thanksgiving an- nually throughout the Revolutionary War. This proclamation by Congress set May 17, 1776, as a “day of Humiliation, Fast- ing and Prayer” throughout the colonies. Congress urges its fellow citizens to “confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his [God’s] righteous displeasure, and through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness.” Massachusetts ordered a “suitable Num- ber” of these proclamations be printed so “that each of the religious Assemblies in this Colony, may be furnished with a Copy of the same” and added the motto “God Save This Peo- ple” as a substitute for “God Save the King.”
Congressional Thanksgiving Day
Proclamation
Congress set December 18, 1777, as a day of thanksgiving on which the American people “may express the grate-
ful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor” and on which they might “join the penitent confession of their manifold sins . . . that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remem- brance.” Congress also recommends that Americans peti- tion God “to prosper the means of religion for the promo- tion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.’”
We pray today, “Oh God, give us politicions in government today, that honor and uplift you as our founding fathers did.”
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2
PROVIDING MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS
TO THOUSANDS OF “INDEPENDENT”
MINISTERS AROUND THE WORLD SINCE 1933...
The sun never sets on the international ministries of
Evangelistic Messengers Association
If you have been called into the ministry or are presently in
the ministry, and need “independent” ministerial creden- tials, EMA may be able to help you. If you are a person of “integrity,” who is serious about your calling, go to:
www.EMAI.org
EMA is NOT a denomination, but an association of ministers. We are not interested in building another “denomination,” we are only interested in building the Kingdom of God. The desire of EMA has been (for over
70 years), for the “ministry” to unite and lay aside the sectar- ian walls that have divided the body of Christ for so long.
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