It’s morning in the city of brotherly love and 36 men from all walks of life and all types of faith are filing in for a meeting. John Adams was one of the first to arrive, and having found a moment to himself, decided to write a letter to his wife Abigail. (It is presented below in its original spelling and capitalization.) Adams didn’t know it at the time, but his letter would serve as a detailed explanation of what happened as the debate for having a prayer in Congress ensued.
The Pivotal Debate...
“Having a Leisure Moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly embrace it to write to you a line. When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing (also representing Massachusetts) made a Motion, that it should be opened with prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of N. York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, because we were so divided in religious Sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians and some Congregationalists, so that we could not join in the same Act of Worship. Mr. S. Adams arose and said he was no Bigot, and could hear a prayer from a Gentleman of Piety and Virtue, who was at the same Time a Friend to his Country. He was a Stranger in Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr. Duche (Dushay they pronounce it) deserved that Character, and therefore he moved that Mr. Duche, en Episcopal Clergyman. Might be desired, to read Prayers to the Congress, tomorrow Morning. The Motion was seconded and passed in the Affirmative. Mr. Randolph our President, waited on Mr. Duche, and received for Answer that if his Health would permit, he certainly would. Accordingly next morning he appeared with his Clerk and in his Pontificallibus, and read several Prayers, in the established Form; and then read the Collect for the Seventh Day of September, which was the Thirty fifth Psalm. You must remember this was the next Morning after we heard the horrible Rumour, of the Cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater effect upon an Audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that Morning."
"After this Mr. Duche, unexpected to every Body struck out into an extemporary Prayer, which filled the Bosom of every Man present. I must confess I never heard an better Prayer or one so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fervor, such Ardor, such Earnestness and Pathos, and in Language so elegant and sublime—for America, for the Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent Effect upon every Body here. I must beg you to read that Psalm. If there was any Faith in the sortes Virgilianae, or Sortes Homericae, or especially the Sortes biblicae, it would be thought providential. It will amuse your friends to read this Letter and the 35th. Psalm to them. Read it to your Father and Mr. Wilbirt. I wonder what our Braintree Churchmen would think of this? Mr. Duche is one of the most ingenious Men, and best Characters, and greatest orators in the Episcopal order, upon this Continent—Yet a Zealous Friend of Liberty and his Country. I long to see my dear family. God Bless, preserve and prosper it. Adieu. John Adams”
Other sources tell us that when John and Samuel Adams arrived at the First Continental Congress, they encountered extreme prejudice from other delegates who remembered that the Puritans in Massachusetts once hanged their Quaker brothers. There was a great fear that these Massachusetts delegates were bigots. It was a “masterly stroke” as John Adams later wrote, when Samuel Adams rose up and declared that he was no bigot. It must have shocked those who knew him well, because for years he had identified the Church of England with the “whore of Babylon”. This was tantamount to swearing in his day and here he is proposing to hear a prayer from a clergyman of that denomination.
One of the principle results of this first Congress was universal financial support for the City of Boston, which was under attack in response to the Boston Tea Party. Without Samuel Adams’ support for the prayer, it was doubtful that Boston would have received the help they needed. It is also doubtful that this body would have found the harmony of purpose that led them to sign the Declaration of Independence just two years later.
By proposing and supporting this prayer, the Massachusetts delegates at once showed that they were not bigots, and at the same time called the assembly to more universal values. It destroyed the animosity towards them and created the feeling that “we are all in this together.” This Congress was the first test for these quarreling colonies to see if they could work together. Just ten years earlier, no one would have guessed they would some day unite against their mother country, so great was the tension between them. The very existence of our country probably depends on this one prayer.
It just happened that the reading of the 35th Psalm fell on that day in the regular Episcopal readings. It was such an appropriate Psalm that all must have felt it was a message from God. This Psalm is still chosen today by those feeling overwhelmed by tyrannical forces, and it still has a profoundly uplifting effect on any audience that hears it.
Witnesses record that during the prayer Washington knelt along with Henry, Randolph, Lee, Rutledge and Jay. The last two were originally the most vocal in opposing the idea of a prayer. After the prayer a profound silence followed, so deep was the sense of responsibility upon each man present.
Eventually a grave-looking man, coarsely dressed arose and began to speak, to the annoyance of the secretary who thought he was a country minister trying to show off. “But an unusual force of argument and a singular impassioned eloquence soon electrified the house.” This was how the world first learned of one of the greatest orators of all time: Patrick Henry. In the future he would often speak for the heart of the American people. Here his role was simply to state what had just been accomplished: “British oppression has effaced the boundaries of the several colonies. The distinctions between Virginians and Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian but an American.” Who would have expected that a few men praying could so profoundly change the course of history?
Reverend Duche was later appointed Chaplain of Congress on July 6, 1776, two days after the Declaration of Independence. He officiated every morning at 9:00 am until September 28th, when while leaving church he was arrested by the British. While he served Congress he asked that his $150 salary be used for the relief of widows and orphans of Pennsylvania officers.
Details about The First Prayer in Congress
This is the only known early American painting of the First Prayer in Congress. Every detail was fully researched by the artist. It is so carefully delineated that it was used in more recent times to guide the restoration of Carpenter’s Hall.
It is interesting to note the choices of the artist in designing his work: The various prayer styles are reflective of the religion of each participant. Behind the podium used by the Reverend Duche is another higher podium, used by the President of the Assembly, but it is unoccupied. No one would allow himself to sit in a station appearing higher than the representative of God. In fact, the President of this Assembly, Peyton Randolph of Virginia, has left his high station and takes the lowest position in the painting. He is in the foreground on the left with his face covered by his own hands, appearing to bow more deeply than the others. Next to him is Washington, the only one facing the same direction as Reverend Duche, implying an accord with God’s vision. He stands out with a darker suit than those around him, indicating his emerging leadership role.
One scrap of paper occupies center stage; perhaps this is the message they just received that Boston was being shelled by the British. The other papers and books look like they are all about to fall, perched on the edge of their tables. Perhaps these represent man’s worldly concerns and they are suspended precariously in wait as the men turn their attention to the more pressing need to be with God.
About the Artist
Tomkins Harrison Matteson, (1813 – 1884) Born in Madison County, New York. An enthusiastic American Artist, his paintings are mostly of homely and historical scenes, harmonious in color and pleasing in effect. Unlike many artists of his time, he never studied in Paris, but this allowed his work to develop a distinct American flavor, uninfluenced by foreign idioms. His work has a sincerity, much appreciated by the ordinary people of his time.
As a youth he learned art from an American Indian who was incarcerated in his father’s jail awaiting trial for murder. Apparently his father felt that this Indian was innocent as he allowed his son to visit as often as he liked. Later the young Tomkins followed an itinerant silhouette-limner about the village and copied his instrument. He was so interested in art that the lack of money would not stop him. He borrowed paints and made his own paint box.
Soon he took to the life of a traveling Artist, drawing likenesses for a few pennies. He is described by an art historian of his time as “trudging wearily in the sun, faint and fasting by the wayside, sleeping in canal-boats, and reaching Albany at last, penniless and discouraged . . .” He joined a company of strolling players and appeared as Othello, but continued painting his now much sought after “morning pieces” of the girls in a village academy.
Finally, a kind gentleman of means sent him to New York City to visit the crusty old dean of American Artists, Colonel John Trumbull who first severely discouraged him, then later became an admiring advisor. He soon began the strict training program in drawing offered at the National Academy of Design. He opened a portrait studio and with moderate success decided to marry Elizabeth Merrill. He was befriended by the Reverend Dr. Hale of Hobart College, who encouraged him to branch out to patriotic pieces, which finally brought him financial success. It seems fitting that such a career should start by the suggestion of a man of God.
An admiring fellow artist convinced the American Art Union to buy his “Spirit of 76” and his “First Prayer in Congress”. These were auctioned off, bringing much fame to Matteson. His reputation grew and soon he had several students, who would become famous in their own right.
He continued with other paintings including many scenes for a pictorial newspaper showing Americans celebrating Christmas and the Fourth of July. These are now considered valuable records of the life of people in the 1840’s and 1850’s.
Today we expect Artists to be a little eccentric. Matteson was somewhat, but in a more patriotic way. He wore an unusual steeple-crowned hat and short mantle because of his admiration of the Pilgrims. He liked to be called the Pilgrim painter. His later years were full of public service: President of the School Board, Representative to the State Legislature among other activities. He died a well-respected, much loved citizen.
Prayer – As it Relates to American History
Our Founding Fathers were God-fearing men. Our more prominent patriots—Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Henry—often prayed in the course of their duties or commissions.
Textbooks never mention how General George Washington knelt at Valley Forge and petitioned Almighty God to spare his men and get them through that terrible winter—yet historians have proof it happened! This may be the first time you've heard of the First Prayer in Congress, until now, yet we have the accounts of many eyewitnesses who testified it transpired that fall morning in 1774.
Prayer has played a vital role in the birth and development of our Nation. The First Prayer in Congress was originally painted to celebrate the occasion that marked a turning point in our country’s struggle for Independence. Now, it remains as a symbol of integrity, faith and freedom for current and future generations to enjoy.
I obtained my lithograph here: http://www.mccollectibles.net/Products/FPICad.htm