Black Robe Regiment (Virginia 8th)
On January 21, 1776, in a small Lutheran church in Woodstock Va. The pastor, Peter Muhlenberg preached from Ecclesestes 3:1-8. A familiar passage of scripture to most Christians, it begins "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven". When he finished verse 8, he stated, "and this is a time for war". He then stripped off his clergy robes to reveal a continental army officers uniform. Explaining to his congregation that the time to stand and fight for thier principals and beliefs was now upon them. He walked away from his pulpit and down the isle and out the front door of his church. Many of the men in his congregation followed him, as did many in the small farming community of Woodstock. Just over 300 men in all followed the preacher, and the Virginia 8th regiment was born. Led by the preacher it came to be known as the black robe regiment. Together they marched to join general George Washington in the fight for American independence from England. It is true that the religious liberties that this nation enjoys today were indeed endowed to us by our creator. However men of moral conviction, and strong Christian beliefs had to step forward to fight to insure them. To claim them in the name of our God who granted them to us. That same God gave the Israelites the promised land of Canaan. But there had to be a Joshua. A man of conviction and righteousness who was ordained by God to stand up and stand out. Yes, God gave them the promised land, but Joshua had to go claim it. God blessed him in that undertaking, but it was Joshua's sword that dripped with the blood of Israels enemy's. Today, as those liberties that God endowed us with are being threatened, what will we do? Will we stand? Will we claim our freedoms? Or will we cower behind the magic polyester shroud of false protection mandated by a corrupt, tyrannical government which has usurped itself upon us? The magic polyester mask of political correctness, and cancel culture? I pray to God that he does not deliver upon us that which we as a nation surely deserve, complete and fierce judgement.