Posted on 07/03/2005 9:49:41 PM PDT by CHARLITE
What does the Fourth of July mean to contemporary Americans? For many it means a day off from work and little more. To others it means an opportunity to "party," roast hot dogs, drink beer and watch fireworks.
But to the Founders of our nation, it meant far more. Upon the completion of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, known as the "Father of the American Revolution" said,
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His Kingdom come."
Adams was a man of no small stature in the colonies. His views are widely known and he was not a closet Christian. He formed the Committees of Correspondence that unified the colonists preceding the Revolution; signed the Declaration of Independence; and served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Massachusetts."
It was Adam's view that in declaring their independence from Great Britain, the colonists were placing themselves under the only true "sovereign", the King of Kings and the LORD of lords. Adams believed that as God "reigns in Heaven" it was His desire to further His Kingdom in the New World "from the rising to the setting of the sun."
On July 3, 1776, the day following Congress' approval of the Declaration of Independence – John Adams – a signer of the Declaration and later our president wrote the following to his wife Abigail:
"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."
To John Adams, it was to be remembered as a "Day of Deliverance" from the control and oppression of tyrants, and it should be marked by acts of devotion to the God who delivers! To Sam Adams, and to his cousin John, the spiritual implications were significant. As God, the author of our liberty has "declared" us free from the power, dictates and cruel authority of the arch "tyrant", the colonists were declaring themselves "free" to serve the King of Kings, and not an earthly tyrant. Their understanding of the event was theologically based, in a desire to serve the only true "sovereign", Christ Himself.
It is difficult in light of the current state of America for the next generation to gain an understanding or appreciation of these spiritual implications. The enemy is using ignorance, complacency, and revisionism to disengage Christians from their civic duties.
While we celebrate "Independence" this fourth of July, remember that the greatness of America is knowing that our liberty comes from Him who died for us, and that our "freedoms" spring from the love of God.
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David Crowe is the Executive Director for Restore America in Lake Oswego. Restore America has recently established a partnership with DELTA Ministries International to conduct Christian Heritage Tours to our nation's capital and other significant historic locations from Virginia to Boston. The mission of this partnership is to train, mentor and equip youth from seventh grade through college to understand our Christian Heritage and become informed leaders in their schools, colleges, and public life and participate in local outreach. Church teams, school teams or individuals are encouraged to apply. Learn how you can be a part of this enlightening experience by visiting http://www.deltaministries.com or call 1-800 533-5822.
happy fourth of july!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY my favorite holiday other than christmas because I so love the fireworks.
I wonder how many of these people lighting these fireworks in my neighborhood know why they are doing so. I wonder if they realize the true meaning of the day. I wonder if they get the irony that many of their fireworks are illegal.
I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward, forever.
haha i wonder how many people in american cant even say fireworks in english these days.
*censored cursing*
just forget about it all and ENJOY The fourth!
Happy Fourth Of July!!!
And to you, dear FRiends! And if you're stuck in Philadelphia, enjoy the AIDS benefit...I mean Independence Day celebrations! Grrrr.... (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1436049/posts)
Thank you for providing the entire quote....the one above was selectively edited. I enjoy our pomp and illuminations! :-)
bttt
John Adams' comment above was contained in a letter to his wife, Abigail, and continued thusly:
"But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.- I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfire and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. - I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. - Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days
Seen in its entirety, JA's enthusiasm seems rather at odds with the puckered-ass spin Mr. Crowe attempts to impart to our national birthday.
/.02
All those references to God, these guys definitely wouldn't be SC court candidates. Too religious for the Kennedy types.!
Charlite, THANKS and a BUMP!
"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. - I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. - Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days...."
Tomkat, my appreciation for fireworks went up even more when I read both the reality of Adams' thinking--and his long-term optimism. Let us stand with those who will carry the torch and fight the good fight. Mr. Crowe seems to be such a one. Raising money to fight tyranny and protect the Republic is not automatically evil and we are told not to muzzle the ox that threshes the grain (e.g., pay suitable pay to the laborers of any project).
How far we have fallen from that lofty, hallowed place gained for us by the founders and the blood sacrifice of patriots! Today, the government is allowed to take private property by declaring "emminent domain" and "sovereign immunity" - arrogating to itself jurisdiction reserved for almighty God only. The founders, as articulated by Adams, celebrated the fact that they had stripped government of this arrogation of authority and restored it to its proper place. The well-read populace of his day realized what that meant. Today, our citizenry is uneducated and unread in the things that matter, and we have willingly handed over to the government our sacred rights and denied the proper jurisdiction of the Sovereign. When we have torn down the foundations, how long will our free republic remain standing?
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