Which Patriot, Forefather most influienced your life?

[longtooth]

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When asked which historical preacher most influenced my life & preaching, my answer gets a blank look from most & especially preachers. John Witherspoon was a Presbyterian Preacher & not a Baptist. He was highly educated in Scotland before coming to America as President of the College of New Jersey. This is now Princeton University.
He signed the Declaration of Independence & was later a delegate to the Continental Congress. During the debate over the Declaration of Independence an unremembered delegate argued that the country was not ripe for independence. Witherspoon response was, “These colonies are not only ripe for the measure but in danger of rotting for the want of it.�
Shortly after receiving the Declaration of Independence in England, the prime minister told King George, “Your American Cousin has run off with a Presbyterian Preacher.�
As president of the College of New Jersey he was the lecturer in most of the classes. Until the last few yrs of Dr. Witherspoon’s service there was only one other professor who aided in the teaching. That one taught Mathematics and astronomy.
Dr. Witherspoon shaped the mind of the men who founded this country & therefore was the one man I believe most responsible for the limited government theory of our Forefathers. One of his stated goals of the school was, “to produce ornaments of the state as well as the church.� This he did with great success.
His graduates include:
12 Delegates to the Continental Congress
President James Madison
Vice President Aaron Burr
9 Cabinet Officers
21 Senators
39 Congressmen
37 Judges, 3 of whom were appointed to the Supreme Court
12 State Governors
John Adams described Dr. Witherspoon, “He is as high a Son of Liberty as any man in America.�
May we all strive daily for that Character Reference.
LT

[TxD]

LT.
I am also an admirer of Rev. Witherspoon.

Not to hi-jack your thread on patriots, but if interested, some of his sermons are printed here.
Remember that the s's are written as f's, making it a little hard to read.

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id= ... hQ#PPA1,M1

[jimlongley]

I would have to say that Benjamin Franklin had more influence on my life, overall, than any other forefather.

Scientist, inventor, author, musician, diplomat, and so much more.

[stevie_d_64]

The passion of John Adams, and the prose of Thomas Jefferson...

Sadly, there is no one (in government) today that even comes close to even the basics of what our forefathers represented in any way shape or form...

[longtooth]

We agree completely on that.

[nitrogen]

Another vote for Ben Franklin here.

If there was anyone I'd ever want to be compared to, it'd be him.

[anygunanywhere]

Thomas Jefferson, definitely.

Anygunanywhere

[sbb]

Thomas Paine. Author of "Common Sense", "Rights of Man" and "The Age of Reason". Great reading for everyone.

[WildBill]

While I can't say he really influenced my life to a great extent, I have always admired Ben Franklin. I enjoyed reading his letters, diaries and scientific papers. Since I have a long time interest in printing he is an interesting figure in history.

[KBCraig]

Influenced by: Franklin
Admired: Jefferson

I'm currently reading Walter Isaacson's biography on Franklin. I always knew he was a flawed hero (they all were), but even though my respect for his intellect has grown even more, by respect for his ethics has declined. He was definitely a pragmatist, and not at all above seeking government favor to grant him advantage in business.

[jimlongley]

Influenced by: Franklin
Admired: Jefferson

I'm currently reading Walter Isaacson's biography on Franklin. I always knew he was a flawed hero (they all were), but even though my respect for his intellect has grown even more, by respect for his ethics has declined. He was definitely a pragmatist, and not at all above seeking government favor to grant him advantage in business.

I had a couple of other comments reserved due to the ten year old daughter rule.

I will have to check the library and see if they have that one.