Are You Doing Your Duty?

Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death!"  William Williams, signer of the Declaration of Independence, took the issue of liberty seriously, and considering the high cost that was paid for our freedom, we should do the same.  The following is a short bio of Mr. Williams, along with a true comic story of an instance in Mr. Williams' life.

William Williams was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, the son of a minister, Tim Solomon Williams, and Mary Porter. He studied theology and graduated from Harvard in 1751. He continued preparation for the ministry for a year, but then joined the militia to fight in the French and Indian War. 

Williams was elected to the Continental Congress to replace Oliver Wolcott. Though he arrived at Congress too late to vote for the Declaration of Independence, he did sign the formal copy as a representative of Connecticut.

The Reverend Charles A. Goodrich in his book, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, 1834, stated “[William Williams] made a profession of religion at an early age, and through the long course of his life, he was distinguished for a humble and consistent conduct and conversations. While yet almost a youth, he was elected to the office of deacon, an office which he retained during the remainder of his life. His latter days were chiefly devoted to reading, mediation, and prayer.”

He was also pastor of the First Congregational Church in Lebabnon, Connecticut, as well as a very successful merchant.

Read the analogy below: