(1740–1809), was a pastor at South Church, Andover, 1772–1809, and was a trustee of Phillips Academy. He had served as a drummer during the Revolutionary War, and at Castle William in Boston Harbor. In June of 1746, one half of the French navy was sent to attack American interests on the Atlantic coast. By September the fleet had reached New England, but was so decimated by bad weather and disease that the venture was in jeopardy. The ministers in New England had mobilized to pray for the defense of the colonies. Rev. Jonathan French later wrote of the reaction of the people in the towns as the French vessels were first seen, and later turned away:
[People] were filled with consternation. The streets filled with men, marching for the defense of the ports, and the distresses of women and children, trembling for the event made … deep impressions upon the minds of those who remember these scenes.
But never did the religion, for which the country was settled, appear more important, nor prayer more prevalent, than on this occasion. A prayer hearing God, stretched forth the arm of His power, and destroyed that mighty Armament, in a manner almost as extraordinary as the drowning of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea.1161
In 1746, Reverend Thomas Prince, who served as the Pastor of the South Church in Boston, described the incident:
While we knew nothing of Danger, God beheld it, and was working Salvation for us. And when we had none to help in America, He even prevented Friends in Europe from coming to succor us; that we might see our Salvation was his Work alone, and that the Glory belongs entirely to Him.1162
Toplady, Augustus Montague (1740–1778), composed the hymn, Rock of Ages, which originally appeared in the Gospel Magazine, October of 1775:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.1163