By Dave Jackson
Spiritual Heritage Tours for Leaders of Faith
“These are the times that try men’s souls.”1 Embedded in the ranks of Washington’s Army during the fall of 1776 was one Thomas Paine, Soldier/Journalist and author of the above captioned words. The American Army had just suffered a series of crushing defeats at the hands of the British and Hessian Armies in and around New York City and were now in full retreat across the Jerseys. Legend has it that Paine wrote the American Crisis using a drumhead as his desk while he and his fellow soldiers were trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy. The Crisis was real. Washington and his Army were one defeat away from total annihilation. Worse yet, the United States was never closer to its own demise than it was during this time. These truly were dark times. Now it has been noted that our words, both oral or written can have a tendency to either build up or to tear down. Paine’s words, when read aloud on December 23, 1776 brought new life to the ranks of a previously demoralized army. They encouraged the heart and brought fire to the soul propelling ordinary men to accomplish extraordinary things. Three days later, Washington and his army crossed the Delaware and met the Hessian Army at a place called Trenton…the rest is history!
Also, in the ranks of Washington’s army was one Lt Joseph Hodgkins, Soldier/Cordwainer from Ipswich, MA. He like Thomas Paine was also a prolific writer; but his words were directed to a more personal and intimate audience; his wife Sarah. Joseph had been with the army since April of 1775. He fought at Bunker Hill, Long Island and the battles around New York City and had some very close calls but still, he never neglected to keep in constant contact with Sarah through his letters. Sarah wrote to Joseph just as often as he would write her. The content of their letters showed a deep love for one another and an overwhelming concern for each other’s well being but it was their mutual faith in Jesus Christ that sustained them through the dark and dangerous times that they faced on a daily basis, both on the home front and on the battlefield. It was on one occasion, just days after narrowly escaping death or capture at the Battle of Long Island that he was informed in a letter from Sarah, that his little son Joseph had died after a prolonged illness. His words home reflected his anguish…and his faith. He wrote, “I received your Letter of ye 22 of August Last Sunday By which I whas informed of the Death of my Little Son it is heavy News to me But it is God that has Dun it therefore what can I say I hope it will Pleas God to santifie all these outward aflctions to us for our Best good”2 One week later, Sarah wrote Joseph an incredible letter of encouragement and also enclosed in these few lines; a firm declaration of their faith. She wrote “…I think God has appeared for you in a very wonderfull manner in Several instances of which you informed me in your Letters…at all times my heart akes for you to think of the dificultys and fateagues you have to undergo but all that I can doo for you is to commit you to God who has hitherto preserved you…tho as you say I think things Look very dark on our side but it has been observed that mans extremity was Gods opportunity and I think it Seems to be a time of grate exstremity Now and I hope God will appear for us & send Salvation and deliverance to us in due time…”3 Joseph went on to fight more battles and to suffer more extremities than should be expected of men but he was able to finish out his commitment to the Cause and in 1779 returned home to his beloved Sarah and his growing family.
We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices of men and women like Joseph and Sarah Hodgkins during those dark days. They may have never ridden a General’s horse, signed the Declaration of Independence or stood in the hallowed halls of Congress. But they, and many like them, are our founding fathers and mothers who placed their faith and trust in the Almighty Providence of God. And this faith, a thread that could never be broken, was woven permanently into the fabric of our liberty and our freedom confirming this eternal self-evident truth; that our United States was and still is one nation under the conspicuous care of the Most High God!
Are these dark and trying times for your soul, O Christian? Take heart and take heed, “man’s extremity IS God’s opportunity!”
1Paine, The American Crisis, December 1776
2Wade and Lively, this glorious cause, pgs. 216-217
3Ibid, ps220