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Old Pine Street Church, Philadelphia: Duffield

Rev. George Duffield, D.D., who was pastor from 1772 to 1790, was a prominent figure during the Revolution. He was chaplain of the Continental Congress and of the Pennsylvania militia during the period of the war, and he delivered fiery messages that stirred patriots to action. John Adams, who was a member of the church, called him a man of genius and eloquence. On May 17, 1776, after listening to a sermon in which Dr. Duffield likened the conduct of George III to the Americans to that of Pharaoh to the Israelites, and concluded that God intended the liberation of the Americans, as He had intended that of the Israelites, he wrote to his wife : "Is it not a saying of Moses, Who am I that I should go in and out before this great people? When I con- I consider the great events which are passed, and those , and those greater which are rapidly advancing, and that I may that I may have been instrumental in touching some springs, and springs, and turning some small wheels, which have had and will and will have such effects, I feel an awe upon my mind, which mind, which is not easily described. Great Britain has at last driven at last driven America to the last step, complete separation from her; a total, absolute independence...."

Headley, in "Chaplains and Clergy of the Revolution," says: .. "The patriots of the first Congress flocked to his church, and John Adams and his compeers were often his hearers.