A Publication of Christian Heritage Academy — Del City, Oklahoma Written by Aaron Ferguson truView Preserving America’s Christian Heritage The Vision for America Was 9 for Propagating the Gospel Cape Henry, Virginia, 1607 — the first When attention is given to the cast of the landing of the Jamestown expedition — Jamestown crew, Reverend Hunt is often the stage was set for Act I, Scene I of the overlooked, especially in light of notable American drama. It could be argued that figures like Captain Newport, Governor our nation’s history began in Roanoke Wingfield, Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas, (1585) or even in Plymouth (1620), but and the colorful Captain John Smith. the people of Roanoke vanished without Nonetheless, it is Robert Hunt who Cape Henry, April 29, 1607 a trace and the Pilgrims may have never deserves the honor of being called the “Reverend Hunt was an honest, come if it were not for the Jamestown “first American hero.” It is no secret that religious, and courageous settlement. No, it was at Cape Henry that the Jamestown expedition was hamstrung divine (pastor). He preferred the the curtains were pulled back, the actors by incessant squabbling between warring service of God in a voyage to took center stage, and the opening scene factions. Had it not been for Hunt’s cool every thought of ease at home. of American history unfolded, and what head and godly exhortations, the men He endured every privation, yet an opening scene it was! would have never lived to see Virginia. none ever heard him repine. Sadly, after Hunt’s unfortunate death, During his life, our factions After the embarrassment of the Roanoke during the infamous starving time, the were oft’ healed and our great- est extremities so comforted disaster, England’s Queen Elizabeth settlement collapsed into chaos. that they seemed easy in com- dismissed colonizing in the New World. parison with what we endured It would be twenty years later when her However, Robert Hunt was more than a after his memorable death. We successor, King James I, gave his permis- peacemaker. God used him to cast a all loved him for his exceeding sion to try again. However, to have his vision for the great nation that was to goodness. He laid down his life blessing, the expedition had to go in the come. That vision was voiced at Cape in the foundation of Virginia." interest of “propagating the Christian re- Henry, April 29, 1607, the place of the The Jamestown Chronicler ligion to such people as yet live in dark- first landing. There, beneath a large 1 Excerpt from the First Charter of ness and ignorance of the true knowledge wooden cross, Reverend Hunt led the 1 Virginia, April 10, 1606 and worship of God...” Furthermore, to first prayer on American soil. He thanked 2 Excerpt from the First Charter of ensure that the will of the King was satis- God for their safe passage and committed Massachusetts, 1629 fied, an able chaplain was secured for the to Him their work in Virginia. Then, it 3 From A Model of Christian Charity , by John Winthrop, 1630 voyage, the good Vicar of Heathfield, was as if he saw the future. “From these Reverend Robert Hunt. shores,” he said, “the Gospel shall go forth, not only for this New World but to the entire world!” He knew that what they were there to do would impact all of mankind for centuries to come. He was right. Once the vision was cast, Hunt took the first step and established in Jamestown the first Protestant Church of the New World. “The Gospel shall go forth” — it would be a common theme among those who landed on America’s shores. The Pilgrims “Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called the repairers of the breach.” Isa. 58:12 A Publication of Christian Heritage Academy — www.CHA.org page 2 A Vision for Propagating the Gospel declared it in their Mayflower Compact Christ known to all. This desire is repre- (1620), as the primary purpose in coming sented in the charters of the other colo- to Virginia, “for the glory of God and the nies, it is confirmed in many of the consti- advancement of the Christian faith.” Their tutions of the states, and echoed in the long-time governor, William Bradford, declarations of the early Congress. The even wrote in his account, Of Plymouth vision for America was the propagation of the Plantation , “They cherished a great hope Gospel of Jesus Christ. and inward zeal of laying a good founda- tion or at least of making some way It is safe to say that this vision became a towards it, for the propagation and reality. While Roger Williams, John Eliot, advancement of the Gospel of the king- David Brainerd, and others evangelized dom of Christ in the remotest parts of the the natives here, Adoniram Judson volun- world, yea, even though they should be teered as the first American foreign mis- but stepping stones to others in the sionary. In 1812, he and his wife traveled Cape Henry Memorial Cross performance of so great a work.” to India, but when the government would not allow them into the country, they set- "How do Christians dis- The Puritans, who followed the Pilgrims in tled in Burma. For the next 38 years, charge the trust that is com- waves (1630-1640) and established the Judson gave his life to plant the seeds of mitted to them (to share the colonies of New England, also desired to the Gospel in that country. “I will not Gospel)? They let three be a shining light for the Gospel. Their leave Burma,” he wrote, “until the cross is fourths of the world sleep royal charter included these words, “May planted here forever!” Thirty years after the sleep of death, ignorant we be so religiously, peaceably, and civilly his death, Burma had 63 Christian of the simple truth that a governed as our good life and orderly con- churches, 163 missionaries, and over Savior died for them. Con- versation may win and incite the natives of 7,000 baptized converts! the country to the knowledge and obedi- tent if they can be useful in ence of the only true God and Savior of Judson launched a tidal wave of U.S. for- the little circle of their mankind and the Christian faith, which in eign missionaries. Since then, the Gospel acquaintances, they quietly our royal intention is the principal end of has been America’s number one export. sit and see whole nations this plantation…” 2 The American Church has dispatched perish for lack of knowl- more missionaries than any other nation edge." The Puritan Governor, John Winthrop, in history. God has used the United States also cast a vision of being an example to to be the greatest expression of a Chris- the world of what Christ can do in a com- tian civilization, and in so doing it has Adoniram Judson munity of people who were committed to been the champion of spiritual liberty Him. “The Lord will be our God,” he both here and abroad. wrote, “delighted to dwell among us. He shall make us a praise and glory, that men It seems that Reverend Hunt’s historic shall say in succeeding plantations, ‘may prayer was a prophetic vision of Amer- the Lord make it like that of New Eng- ica’s Gospel purpose. Even you and I are land.’ For we must consider that we shall members of the cast and crew whom God be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all is using today to complete His intended people are upon us...” 3 work in and through our beloved country. So then, let us not forget our nation’s While our forefathers were not perfect in origin and heritage. Let us not forsake the the execution of their vision, their inten- purpose of its existence, but let us carry tions were clear. They came seeking free- on, exclaiming the name of Jesus Christ Adoniram Judson dom to worship the God of the Bible, and, while we are still at liberty to do so. 1788-1850 in that freedom, to make the Gospel of “Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called the repairers of the breach.” Isa. 58:12 .