From Night to Day

John Adams, referring to the Declaration of Independence long before the war to assert it was over, said to his wife Abigail in a letter, “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 Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires 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 triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

This was a time when the 13 states were emerging from night into day. This was a time when oppression of the people by a king was being contested. This was a time when freedom was being established "for the people", long before it was fashionable.

Yesterday I went to church at a new congregation. Not a new denomination, just a new congregation. I have become tired of the lack of respect for the country that I have seen in the old congregation. It seems that in some circles it is fashionable to separate the church from the state by not mentioning the state in any way within the church. In other words, don't mention that your right to practice whatever religion you want is guaranteed by the Constitution. In most other countries around the world, no such guarantee exists. The churches, synagogues, and Mosques and atheists should celebrate the United States where they have total religious freedom because if their lack of enthusiasm results in the downfall of the United States, they will loose their freedom completely. Even the atheist might be forced to worship some demigod of the oppressive regime that takes over. So, even they cannot say they "don't have a dog in this race."

Yesterday, as soon as the service was started, there was a pledge of allegiance to the Christian Flag and then to the United States Flag. The sermon hymn, the one just before the sermon was "America the Beautiful". The sermon, "Hard Work Great Reward." referenced, several times, the birth of our nation and how it was in many ways a miracle. On several occasions the Pastor referred to the congregation as "American Christians." After the sermon the hymn was "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." and as we were filing out of the church the piano was playing "God Bless America".

Yes, this was the day before the 4th, so I wont expect this much patriotism next week. But in the congregation I am now leaving I have never heard the pledge of allegiance in the sanctuary, I have never heard either America the Beautiful or God Bless America sung in the five years I have been going there. And the pastor has never used the term "American Christians." The pastor omitted any mention of Memorial Day a few weeks ago, yet both churches are of the same denomination. Exactly the same just 40 miles apart.

It was like coming out of the night and emerging into the light of day. The pastor was delivering his first sermon in his new church after graduating from the seminary. To my wife and I, emerging from the cave of darkness and denial, it was a beacon to where the light shown brightly for BOTH my religion AND my country.

Jim Isbell
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The Free Republic
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