“To resort to violence is a sin. It will bring suffering and death to many innocent and peace-loving people. The Holy Scripture has given us guidance in how we should deal with authorities, when we are disappointed or even angry. The apostle Peter, who suffered from Roman persecution, said it well. I have found his advice and would like to read a few verses from the second chapter of First Peter:

“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”

Maddock stood erect, with bowed head, as he closed the Holy Book. Then he looked around him and said, “It seems that Peter is speaking directly to the people in every colony when he says, ‘Honor all men. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.’ What could possibly be more clear? We are told to submit ourselves to those who have rule over us, with a specific reference to the king.”

There was a general murmuring of approval, and no voices were raised in opposition. In their further discussion it was obvious that their sincere desire was to avoid armed conflict, not only with British troops but also with the heathen natives and the militant colonists.

At about the same time, the Reverend John Zubly, a fiery Presbyterian minister in Savannah, preached a sermon from a text different from that chosen by Joseph Maddock. Taking a verse, James 2:12, somewhat out of context, he read, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Although he was a strong monarchist who advocated total loyalty to the king, the people distorted his views as though he had quoted God as elevating the law of liberty above those passed by Parliament. His sermon was repeated for days and distributed in print throughout the colony. He was even put forward as a delegate to the Continental Congress.

CHAPTER 21

Thomas Brown, British Spy