Devotional: Declaration of Independence signers were martyrs for a cause
Rev. Tim McConnell
Guest Opinion
July 4, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET
As we approach the 250th birthday of our country, we pause to remember a group of men who proposed some radical, revolutionary beliefs and convictions. They wrote to the King of England a declaration of independence. All people are given certain rights given to us by our Creator; rights including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness which cannot be taken away from us
They listed all the complaints against the King which had led to the declaring of the colonies to be free. Then they ended the Declaration of Independence with these words; “And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” Little did they know that many who signed would fulfill this pledge to the fullest!
What stands out to me as I read this document is the strong faith our Founding Fathers had in God. They believed that God had created people and that all are equal. God is no respecter of persons. And since God has given people certain rights, men and governments cannot take them from them
Their belief in God was most important as they depended on him to be the foundation of our government; therefore, God was viewed as protector. These men truly believed that their daily dependence on God could not be separated from the tasks and routines of running the new government. God was intended to be the solid foundation of our new country
As wonderful as the words of this document are, it is the list of signatures at the bottom that impresses me the most. It is the willingness of these men to sign and pledge their lives, fortunes, and honor on a few beliefs and convictions that bring the words alive and changed the world
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 signers of this historic document? Five were captured by the British as traitors, tortured, and killed. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the war that followed. Two others had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 signers fought and died either from wounds or hardships from the Revolutionary War
Many had their businesses and property destroyed, wives and children kidnapped resulting in homelessness. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she lay dying, their 13 children fleeing for their lives, as the British solders destroyed all that he had. After a year living in caves, Hart returned home to find his wife dead, children gone, and everything in ashes. He soon died of a broken heart. Many other signers experienced similar fates
They gave us a free and independent America, as all who have served and fought in all the wars since. These are martyrs; martyrs for a cause, a belief, and a conviction much stronger than any fear for personal safety
May we always honor the memories of these men and women who held such uncompromised beliefs. May we honor them by basing our beliefs and actions, as they did, on the truths of God’s word
Rev. Tim McConnell, Francis Cove Global Methodist Church, July 4, 2026
