Reverend Thomas Prince. Portrait by Joseph Badger.
During the French and Indian war, England was at war with France. The French sent a fleet of 40 ships to destroy New England. The American colonists had no army or navy to protect themselves. In the face of eminent danger, Reverend Thomas Prince of the Old South Meeting House in Boston, called for a day of prayer and fasting.
The morning was one of perfect peace and calm. No wind ruffled the waters of the bay and not a cloud was in the sky. Reverend Prince prayed even more fervently than was his custom. He appealed to the Almighty for deliverance from the danger that threatened. Suddenly, a gust of wind so strong it rattled the windows in their casings, hit the church. Everyone looked around and Reverend Prince continued his supplications, asking God to cause the wind to confound the purposes of the enemy.
The wind rose to such a tempest that it destroyed the French fleet and saved New England from total destruction.
I can only imagine the prayers of thanksgiving and the rejoicing that must have taken place after that miraculous event.
Reverend Prince was so revered that the town of Princeton was named after him.
This story is just one of many of the events that took place in America's early years. So many of these historical accounts punctuate the fact that the colonists relied on God for protection and to help them in their quest for a new country where there was freedom for all and they could all worship as they pleased. Their belief that all things are possible with God helped them through many difficult situations.
