Jonathan Mayhew was a political rebel and a Unitarian by faith, neither of which made him a very popular pastor among the other pastors of Boston. In fact, he had to be accepted by clergy outside of the town in order to begin preaching at Old West Church. His popularity with the clergy became a moot point over time, as he was very popular with men like James Otis and Samuel Adams. They would hear Mayhew's sermons and later repeat his words and ideas in courtrooms and meetinghouses. In many ways, Jonathan Mayhew was the father of the American Revolution in Boston. He preached "no taxation without representation" and people as far away as London listened.
Both contemporary and modern knowledge hold that Jonathan Mayhew was a spur in the sides of rebellion. However, he passed away in 1766. His patriotic friends continued to share his beliefs with the town. It is said that Simeon Howard did as well. Howard was run out of town and the original Old West Church destroyed during the British occupation of Boston but the ideas of Mayhew had done their work. The convictions formed at the Old West Church still carry to this day.
Comments