The Black Regiment

The War of Independence, also known as the American Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies from Massachusettes to Georgia.  On July 4th, 1776, a new nation was formed:  The United States of America.

During the War of Independence there was a group of heroic men referred to as the "Black Regiment."  The very named enraged the King of England and the entire British armies.  The courage and leadership of these men would change the world.  Many historians believe that there would be no United States of America if it wasn't for these men.  Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the vast majority of Americans have never even heard of the Black Regiment.  It is very peculiar how they have been left out of history books. 

So, what was the Black Regiment?  They were the preachers.  Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans, German Reformed and others.  Their weapon was the Bible and the battlefield was the pulpit.  They were called the Black Regiment because they wore black robes when they preached.  If you had been there to hear their Sunday sermons you would have seen and heard inspiring, passionate, educated, and incredibly motivating speeches that gave the colonists heart and hope.  They would battle the finest military in the world at that time, having very poor equipment and sometimes not even uniforms to wear.  If they had canons it was only because they captured the British canons.  These preachers had two basic messages they preached:  (1) The King of England is a tyrant and was against God's will by his oppression of the people; and (2) The way to freedom was to appeal to God.

Regardless of how some people in America try to rewrite history books, some facts cannot be easily destroyed from human awareness.  Before Congress met, it would always open each session with a prayer asking God to guide them in this great adventure and to protect the colonies fighting for freedom.  The great general that would lead them was George Washington.  He believed that prayer was absolutely essential and required Christian behavior and morality from his troops.

The Black Regiment laid a foundation for American to be a free nation under God.  A foundation based on repentance and humility.  They preached to the colonists that if God's people would only humble themselves and seek God's guidance that God would bless America.  They referred to II Chronicles 7:14:  "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  

  As we go forth this holiday weekend and observe the 4th of July, may God continue to bless America.