Imagery and Exceptionalism in New England :: American History Essays

Imagery and Exceptionalism in New England Jonas Clarke, the minister of the Congregational church in Lexington, Massachusetts, entertained guests at his home the evening of April 18, 1775. The two guests that Clarke hosted were see power a safe harbor from British authorities. His guests, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, discussed strategy with Clarke concerning the conflict with Britain as they attempted to defy their location secret from the British. Supposedly, Great Britain planned to capture these two radicals in hopes of terminating the colonial resistance. A messenger on horseback interrupted their meeting, writes Clarke. therefore came an express in writing stating that eight or nine officers of the kings troops were seen just originally night passing the lane toward Lexington, in a musing, contemplative posture, and it was suspected they were out on well-nigh evil design. Adams and Hancock took heed of this advanced warning and escaped Lexington before the redcoats appeared in the town. Clarke knew they would be arriving soon, and headed to the village green to help assemble the township for the expected confrontation. As the clock struck 200 A.M., the minister helped run the villagers into position. Many on the green were members of his church, and he knew that they were prepared to fight if rage broke out. For weeks, Clarke had groomed his congregation with images of the hardships of their forefathers, and their hopes of a land of freedom, and he was certain(prenominal) that the residents of Lexington would hold fast against the British forces if necessary. After the exchange between the colonists and the redcoats the morning time of the nineteenth, seven lay dead on the town square, some of whom were his parishioners. However, Clarke remained positive(p) that this fight was an important one, and that his congregation wouldcontinue to support resistance to the British tyranny that now was endemic inwardly the colonies.Jonas Clarke use d his sermon as a method of persuasion to garner support for the resistance feces against Great Britain. During his orations, he hoped to invoke a feeling of duty within his congregation. Clarke intended that the sense of duty, in turn, would provoke his listeners to defend Americas rebellion. He used vivid images of the ancient Israelites and the colonists ancestors to depict the struggles they encountered in the past. By doing so, Clarke hoped to show his worshippers the exceptionalism of America.