Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – He evinced the strictest integrity.

Thomas E Kresal October 12, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – He evinced the strictest integrity.

October 12, 1777 – John Pitman accepted the call from the Baptist church in Upper Freehold New Jersey, even though he was engaged in secular business. His patriotism was tempered and directed by his piety.

As did most Baptists, he supported the American Revolution and continued with his secular occupation during most of his ministry and yet found time to devote to the study of God’s Word.Pitman traveled extensively from Philadelphia to R.I., preaching the gospel, and, on many occasions, serving local churches when they were in need.

Pitman’s father’s death left his mother with several small children. His parents had taught him to reverence the Bible and to be faithful in church attendance, but when he was apprenticed as a rope maker he became profane and dissolute for about 4 years.

In 1769 he resolved to change his course and launched into an effort of self improvement even to the point of fasting from Saturday to Sunday night until Pitman inquired of Dr. Stillman, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boston, who counseled him with the gospel of God’s grace. Pitman eventually experienced salvation, was baptized, and was received into the church.

When the British soldiers fired on the citizens of Boston, March 5, 1770, he was close to one of the victims who was shot. He later mounted guard on that memorable night. He also became a volunteer in the Pennsylvania militia, under the command of Col. Dickerson.

It was said of John Pitman, “He was a man of remarkable firmness, and of great courage, physical and moral…In all his dealings with his fellowman he evinced the strictest integrity.”

Thomas E. Kresal from: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins/Thompson, pp. 423-24

NOTE from Tom: I will be on vacation – heading to the Camp Mtg. at Harward Chapel Baptist Church in Norwood, NC. And then meandering home the long way – going through the Appalachians and up through Pennsylvania, etc. Be back on line sometime around October 28.