July 4, 2012 How Did Our Founders Celebrate Independence?

  

Firm Reliance Reuniting Americans With Their True Heritage July 4, 2012                                                                                                                                                  On the evening of July 2, 1776, after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail expressing the significance of that day. In his letter he wrote about how future generations should celebrate with parades, shows, games, guns, bonfires and fireworks. For the most part, Americans have taken heed to Adams' call to celebrate that day. However, America has forgotten the most significant act of honoring this great occasion. First and foremost, Adams wrote, "It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." Our Founding Fathers believed that God was delivering us from the tyrannical hand of the British government, just as He had delivered the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Evidence of this strongly held belief can be found in the first proposed seal of the United States. The seal was designed by the same committee that drafted the Declaration, which included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. The seal had the image of "Pharaoh sitting in a chariot, a crown on his head and a sword in his hand, passing through the divided waters of the Red Sea in pursuit of the Israelites: Rays from a pillar of fire in the Cloud, expressive of the Divine presence and command, beaming on Moses who stands on the shore and extending his hand over the sea causes it to overwhelm Pharaoh." As long as Israel honored God for delivering them from Egypt, his hand of protection was upon them. But when they turned their back to him is when they faced tribulation and judgment. This is why our Founders felt that the most important thing for us to do in celebration of our deliverance from tyranny is to give "solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." On July 4, 1787 the delegates to the Constitutional Convention recessed their proceedings to celebrate the "Day of Deliverance." There were many opportunities to celebrate with games, parades and parties, but instead, under the leadership of George Washington, the delegates assembled at the Reformed Calvinistic Church in Philadelphia to worship and pray. Reverend William Rogers delivered a sermon about trusting in the wisdom of God to establish a "free and vigorous government." This Independence Day, share this story with others, and be sure to pray for our nation and honor God for his deliverance and for the strong faith and dedication of our Founding Fathers. Georgia State Senator Barry Loudermilk