John Peter Gabriel Muhlenburg

John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, Lutheran clergyman, colonel of the 8th Virginia Regiment, and member of the Pennsylvania government, is the subject of this etching. According to a popular story, Muhlenberg gave a dramatic sermon while recruiting militia members in Woodstock. Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1, he announced that “there is also a time to fight, and that time has now come.” He then threw aside his clergy robes and revealed that underneath he was wearing a militia uniform, inspiring many to sign up for the militia.