I Declare

      The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies, presented by the Continental Congress dated July4, 1776 began: “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for the people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separation and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” The document goes on to say that this is not just some whimsical want of change, but a declaration of separation from the tyranny of an uncompromising King George III, and then it lists all the complaints the colonist have concerning the king. “…We therefore, the representatives of the Unites States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right aught to be Free and Independent States; …And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”


      [Proverbs 2 & 3] In the year 1776, Patrick Henry wrote, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.” Thomas Jefferson wrote on the front of his well-worn Bible: “I am a Christian, that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.” Of the first 108 universities founded in America, 106 were distinctly Christian, including the first, Harvard University, chartered in 1636. The student handbook read: “Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him.” In light of the whimsical “needs” of some people, the Constitution of the United States is constantly being challenged to interpretation, which tends to make me believe the wisdom that is derived from God is not being sought after more than gold or silver. Well, Happy Birthday, America and I pray you have many, many more. I pray that God will continue to be merciful to its righteous citizens.