Independence Day, July 4, 2017
This blog was never intended as a political commentary,
but there have been times when I must write something more topical. This day is one of them. One of our founding fathers and a signer of
the Declaration of Independence, wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776 that
he thought the day when independence was first declared (July 2, 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, Shews, Games,
Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent
to the other from this Time forward forever more.” (edited per footnotes from https://founders.archives.gov/?q=Project%3A%22Adams%20Papers%22%20july%203&s=1411311111&r=1)
John Adams got the
day of celebration wrong, since by July 4, 1777, the day the Declaration of
Independence was adopted would become “Independence Day” beginning in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777 One could argue that August 2nd
would work just as well as Independence Day since that was the day in 1776 when the
document was signed.
But with all the
hate, violence, and vile rhetoric of recent months, John Adams comment that
Independence Day should be marked by “solemn Acts of Devotion of God Almighty”
seemed especially appropriate.
Let us all remember
this our anniversary day of adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the
Kingdom of Great Britain with prayer and thanksgiving.
Lord God Almighty,
in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for
us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all
the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in
righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord God Almighty,
you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in
freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and
the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with
your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, giver
of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this
land. They restore us, though we often destroy them.
Heal us.
We thank you for the
great resources of this nation. They make us rich, though we often exploit them.
Forgive us.
We thank you for the
men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though
we often fall short of them.
Inspire us.
We thank you for the
torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from
every nation, though we have often hidden from its light.
Enlighten us.
We thank you for the
faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. It sustains our life, though
we have been faithless again and again.
Renew us.
Help us, O Lord, to
finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance
and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime. And hasten the day when all
our people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name.
Amen.
O Judge of the
nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our
country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy
[especially our forebearers who fought and died to establish this our nation
and defend its preservation from foes within and without]. Grant that we may
not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom
and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Figure 1. http://www.dreamwallsglass.com/2013/07/independence-day-art-glass/
Since most do not
know the words of Katherine Lee Bates poem: America: A Poem for July 4,
I will post it below. Katherine Lee Bates was a professor of English at Wellesley
College, my alma mater. Though some of us might change “brotherhood” to “sisterhood”
in the version usually sung, and regret the unfortunate last line of the poem
given how it could and would be interpreted in the 20th and 21st
centuries, remember that this poem was written in 1893. With the music of
Samuel Ward, it became probably the most popular anthem, after our national
anthem. The last two lines were soon changed to, “And crown thy good with
brotherhood, From sea to shining sea.”
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
O
beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose
stern, impassioned stress
A
thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across
the wilderness!
America!
America!
God
shed His grace on thee
Till
paths be wrought through wilds of thought
By
pilgrim foot and knee!
O
beautiful for glory-tale
Of
liberating strife,
When
once or twice, for man's avail,
Men
lavished precious life!
America!
America!
God
shed His grace on thee
Till
selfish gain no longer stain,
The
banner of the free!
O
beautiful for patriot dream
That
sees beyond the years
Thine
alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed
by human tears!
America!
America!
God
shed His grace on thee
Till
nobler men keep once again
Thy
whiter jubilee!
With the setting of the sun tonight, we will have our very splendid grand illuminations in the sky, though there may be tears this year and perhaps less pride because of current events, we can still ask, "God shed His grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain,
The banner of the free!"
Amen.
