An Honorable Politician

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Earlier this week I did research on John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence and president of Princeton University from 1768 to 1794 (Princeton was then called the College of New Jersey). Witherspoon was born in Scotland.  After college, he became a Presbyterian minister. Richard Stockton, who also signed the Declaration of Independence, recruited Witherspoon to come to America to become the college’s president.

Witherspoon had been in America only eight years when he signed the Declaration of Independence. Of the 56 signers, Witherspoon was the only clergyman and the only college president. Though not as famous now as many other signers, Witherspoon was a political leader in the Continental Congress. He was a clergyman, a college president, and a politician. When I type the word politician, I get a negative feeling. Today the word has become synonymous with many negative traits.

I am working on a biography of Witherspoon for our updated America the Beautiful. In my research, I found a book entitled, A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and of Washington and Patrick Henry, published in 1839. The author was attorney L. Carroll Judson. I’d like to share with you the final paragraph in the section devoted to Witherspoon.

In all the relations of private and public life, he stood approved, admired, and revered. Let us all endeavour to imitate his examples of virtue, the crowning glory of talent, that our lives may be useful in time, and our final exit tranquil and happy.

I am trying to imagine that quote being applied to a politician now, but I know it could be to politicians who are serving their communities, states, and even our country in devoted, quiet ways.

I wonder how the mamas of politicians feel. I can’t imagine hearing my child lambasted like so many people are in the press. Have we no mercy? Do we not look in the mirror and realize that we, too, are flawed?

I am heartbroken at the conflict between opposing political sides about COVID-19. Isn’t it time to work together for a common goal? Isn’t it time to have a respectful discourse with one purpose–saving lives?

Oh, for a peaceful, respectful discourse in our nation’s public life. Let’s pray for that and while we long for it, let’s make sure that we train our children and grandchildren with this goal in mind: that “their lives be useful in time and their final exit tranquil and happy.” And now to quote a passage I already shared with you during the current crisis:

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers,
petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
for kings and all who are in authority,
so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life
in all godliness and dignity.
2 Timothy 2:1-2

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