Before America had a Constitution, Congress began its work with prayer.
On September 6, 1774, delegates meeting in Philadelphia took their first official action as the Continental Congress. Their first question wasn’t about taxes, independence, or war.
It was this: Should Congress begin each day’s session with prayer?
Some delegates objected. The colonies were home to different Christian traditions, and they questioned whether men of such differing beliefs could worship together. Then Samuel Adams stood and offered a solution. He said he was “no bigot” and could listen to a prayer from any person of “piety and virtue” who was also a friend to his country.
He suggested Jacob Duché, an Episcopal clergyman respected by delegates from both the North and South. The motion passed. The next morning, Duché opened the session with prayer and read Psalm 35, beginning:
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me.”
The timing was striking. The delegates had just received news of the British attack on Boston.
John Adams later wrote to Abigail: “It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.”
Adams said Duché then offered an unexpected prayer for America, Congress, Massachusetts, and especially Boston — a prayer that deeply moved those gathered. Duché would eventually abandon the Patriot cause and flee to England. But the tradition he helped establish continued.
After the Constitution was adopted, both the House and Senate maintained chaplains for their chambers.
On September 6, 1774, the Continental Congress began its work with prayer — a tradition that would become part of the history of the United States Congress.
Also On This Day
1620 – After failed attempts to sail from England, leaving behind her sister ship Speedwell, the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth for the New World. Aboard were 101 passengers.
1837– As a result of Christian ideals, Oberlin Collegiate Institute in Ohio granted equal status to men and women, making it the first American college to do so.
1849 – Eduard Raimund Baierlein was born into a Catholic family in Poland. When he became a Lutheran, his outraged father disinherited him and forbade him to use the family name. And so Edward took the name Baierlein, “Little Bavarian.” Edward was a soul-winner. On this day, he was ordained and installed by his denomination as a missionary to America.