While the residents resisted the influence of the crown Rev. Muhlenberg stood behind them and insisted that the Lord Jesus Christ was also their ally. At the time the continent army was mustering men to fight against and repel the British the fiery preacher was intensely moved.

"The Bible tells us there is a time for all things," Rev. Muhlenberg said as he neared the conclusion of a fiery sermon before several hundred area residents who strained to hear. "There is a time to preach and a time to pray."

The time for me to preach has passed away."

Muhlenberg told family members and close friends earlier that he was going to lay down his preaching gown and fight for his country. They hadn't expected what followed.

As he continued his sermon his voice raised in intensity and in volume. As he did more and more people were drawn to the gathering.

"And there is a time to fight," he followed. "that time has now come for me and for many of you."
Muhlenberg proceeded to step inside a nearby side room and quickly removed his preacher's gown and proceeded to don his colonel's regimental uniform. The change was quickly made and Colonel Peter John Gabriel Muhlenberg stepped back into the church hall dressed as a soldier to the amazement of the large throng in attendance.

"I am a member of the clergy and my heart is in it," Muhlenberg started. "But I am also a member of our society just like the poorest layman. My liberty is as dear to me as it is to any man who hears my voice."
"Should I sit and enjoy myself at home when the blood of our best men is spilling on the ground? If Americashould be conquered.., if America is lost...do you think that I would be safe? I think not! Far from it!"
"I'll tell each and every one of you that I would much sooner fight like a.man than die like a dog. And I choose to fight!"

Muhlenberg's sincerity put a charge into those who were present and before nightfall nearly three hundred men joined to fight under his banner.

In the months ahead they fought admirably at the battle of Charleston with their leader exhorting them on. Following successes in a series of battles Muhlenberg was elevated to the rank of brigadier general and was put in charge of all the Continental troops of Virguua.

He fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point. He and his menjoined George Washington at Middlebrook, New Jersey and marched to the encampment at Valley Forge. At the close of the revolution his rank was major general.

Rev. Muhlenberg had become General Muhlenberg and following the war became Sen. Muhlenberg a United States Senator.

"There is a time for all things," he had preached. "There is a time to preach and a time to pray; and the time for me to preach has passed away. There is a time to fight and that time has now come."