As we commemorate America’s 250th Birthday, we pause and reflect on what that milestone means. The past few years have been difficult for us, as a nation; a pandemic, lockdowns, political unrest and outpourings of negativity are to name a few. We ask, is there still something to celebrate? Is it worth celebrating in the midst of chaos and contention?
The beginning of our nation was no different than today as the people were suffering from tyranny and persecution. All those years ago, something incredible was coming. And while all the opposing forces imaginable attempted to stop it from happening they could not extinguish the pulpits aflamed with righteousness. They could not quiet the voices that were inspired by none other than our Creator, calling out hope in the midst of despair.
In this humble tribute, we honor and remember their words echoing across the ages, that will forever remain in the hearts and minds of all who desire liberty:
“Give me liberty or give me death!”
Words that Patrick Henry so passionately cried out, sounding in the ears of the delegates who, when they heard his words, were so moved by the Spirit that they sent more troops to aid in the cause.
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
Uttered by a patriot soldier named Nathan Hale at his execution by British soldiers, giving his life so that liberty may prevail.
“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!”
The Father of Our Country, George Washington, reminding us that the cause of freedom is not limited to one nation but to all mankind.
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
The reassuring words of Thomas Paine, bringing hope to the hearts of the people during the revolution.
“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”
A small reminder spoken by Samuel Adams that the key to victory was determined by the virtue of the people.
“’Tis a common observation here that our cause is the Cause of all Mankind; and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own. Tis a glorious task assigned us by Providence; which has I trust given us spirit and virtue equal to it, and will at last crown it with success.”
There was no doubt in Benjamin Franklin that God was with them in their cause, and God continues to be with us whenever the cause is just.
“Liberty can no more exist without virtue and independence than the body can live and move without a soul.”
Virtue is an ongoing theme for what liberty means, and John Adams reminds us all that it is liberty’s very soul.
“But if we should be defeated I think we shall not be conquered. A people fired … with love of their country and of liberty, a zeal for the public good, and a noble emulation of glory, will not be disheartened or dispirited by a succession of unfortunate events. But like them, may we learn by defeat the power of becoming invincible.”
We must acknowledge that for every one of the Founding Fathers there was a Founding Mother. Abigail Adams‘ voice of hope reached the ears of her husband during times of doubt and fear during the revolution, as did many of the faithful and fervent wives of the men fighting for the cause of liberty. It was on the women’s strength that all those men could rely on. Together they carried forward for the perpetuity of a legacy in the making.
In a time where the world seems to bombard us with hopelessness, these timeless words bring inspiration and hope. So long as we remember what it took for our nation to reach this point, the rising generation will without a doubt be inspired by our Creator to continue America’s legacy of liberty.
In final tribute, we read the words of the Declaration of Independence, by Thomas Jefferson:
“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate 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 foundations on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security…
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.”
