Why Stand We Here Idle?

After the French and Indian War ended in 1763, the relationship between the American colonies and England deteriorated substantially. The war had emptied the British coffers and King George III along with Parliament decided to impose punitive “Acts” on the Americans to pay for the huge war debt.

For over a decade, which started with the “Stamp Act” in 1764, the American colonies were forced to endure a long list of abuses. Taxation without representation is what most Americans are familiar with, but there were many more “Acts” such as searches and seizures without probable cause, no due process of law, arbitrary (unlawful) rulings by judges, confiscation of firearms and seizure of property. The list goes on and on and was finally culminated in the Declaration of Independence that was ratified in 1776.

Despite the fact that most Americans rejected these “Acts” and opposed them as being unlawful, they still sought avenues of reconciliation instead of taking up arms. In fact, even after a decade of living through terrible abuses imposed upon Americans by the king and Parliament, the Colonies still sent out proclamations encouraging Americans to fast and pray for peace.

The turning point for most Americans came in 1774 when King George III imposed the “Intolerable Acts.” These “Acts” were in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party that took place in December of 1773. The Tea Act imposed on Americans in 1773 gave the British East India company a monopoly to trade tea in the colonies. King George tried to force Americans to use only English tea and then pay for it through taxes. Sound familiar? The king placed the ports of Boston and Massachusetts under military rule which removed any self-rule for the colonies.

Tyranny was now on full display. The king had abolished all colonial charters unlawfully and under his martial law there was no place for any redress (a lawful resistance to tyranny). The Royal Governors and courts refused to hear any of the grievances that came against the king! Sound familiar?

Preachers rose up and proclaimed Biblical truths that opposed this tyranny and absolutism. John Adams rejoiced that feelings toward independence had awakened because “The pulpits have thundered.” Firebrands such as Samuel Adams (The Father of the Revolution) kindled the flames of freedom in the hearts of Americans through his “Letter of Correspondence” that went throughout all the colonies that proclaimed liberty!

For most Americans when it comes to liberty and freedom, the words of Patrick Henry are remembered most. It was March 23, 1775, with British troops garrisoned throughout the colonies and British warships blockading America’s ports, that Patrick Henry rose up during the Second Virginia Convention’s debates on whether to negotiate and appease the British or declare for independence. His first response was to encourage his fellow colonists to trust God and then he said: “Why stand we here idle?…Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Patrick Henry was no summer soldier or sunshine patriot! He stood his ground and did not falter even when many around him chose the way of cowardice. This is our time as Americans! We need to be as bold as a lion and fearless as those first Americans who knew what they were fighting for! Shrinking back and hesitating between two opinions is no longer an option. Take a stand for freedom and hold the torch for liberty high! The next generation is counting on you!