John Witherspoon\'s Sermon the Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men

¶ … sermon "The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men," by John Witherspoon, given on 17 May 1776. Specifically, it will consider who Witherspoon is responding or directing his sermon to. What does he say? How is this sermon significant? Witherspoon's sermon came at a crucial time in American history, and his words are still powerful and poignant today.

The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men

Witherspoon's sermon is significant for several reasons. He urges his fellow citizens to think deeply about their lives, and their sins as they prepare to head off to war with Great Britain. He directs his comments directly to these men who will soon shoulder arms and march off to war, and "beseeches" them to accept God before they leave their families and friends, many of them for the last time. He pleads,

Wherefore, my beloved hearers, as the ministry of reconciliation is committed to me, I beseech you in the most earnest manner, to attend to "the things that belong to your peace, before they are hid from your eyes." How soon, and in what manner a seal shall be set upon the character and state of every person here present, it is impossible to know (Witherspoon).

Not only is Witherspoon crying out for his flock to save themselves before they leave the fold, he is warning them of the impeding fighting, and that they may die without salvation, which he clearly finds the worst of any sin imaginable. The listener could surely hear the desperation and iron will in his voice as he spoke from his pulpit, for his words are strong, resounding, and resolute. If war must occur, then surely those who fight it must go to their fate totally prepared, and that includes the preparation of the soul.

Witherspoon's sermon is highly significant of the times, and of the compelling reasons the Pilgrims came to America from Great Britain in the first place. They traveled to a foreign land to obtain their religious freedom, and so of course, it makes sense that Witherspoon would be so concerned with the sins of his congregation, and the saving of their souls as they prepared to fight. Religion played a highly important role in New England society, and Witherspoon's passionate pleas for redemption might seem "over the top" today, but they were quite acceptable at the time. His concern is his congregation's salvation, and this was paramount in the daily lives of the American people at the time. They were willing to fight and die for their right to freedom, including freedom of religion, and so, Witherspoon's sermon is a highly charged emotional account of society at the time, and what was most important to them. In addition, and what may be the most important aspect of his speech, Witherspoon is absolutely convinced of the ultimate "rightness" of the upcoming battle, and indeed swear God's love will shield those who righteously believe in him. He says, "I leave this as a matter rather of conjecture than certainty, but observe, that if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts" (Witherspoon). Therefore, he feels God is on the side of the righteous, and clearly, the Americans are the righteous ones in this battle. This is an interesting concept, but one that made perfect sense at the time, because of the deep religious beliefs of the Pilgrims and Puritans who populated the New World, and their distinct need to practice their beliefs in total freedom.