Dear Editor:
Not that we don’t know or have not heard of the subject matter, but the purpose of this letter is to refresh our memory of the great event which occurred July 4, 1776.
If it had not been for the events which occurred, this document or the other two would not have become a reality. The Constitution or the Bill of Rights are wholly contingent upon The Declaration of Independence. This essential document was not presented to the colonies overnight. Thomas Jefferson, a highly respected man and one who promoted a complete separation from the demands of King George III of England was chosen to compose and write The Declaration of Independence. He wrote and revised the substance many times until he was satisfied and convinced that his compatriots would agree and sign the document.
Now, we have touched briefly upon the purpose and importance of this document. However, it was not the intention that it was meant only for the thirteen colonies, but that it should be preserved, honored, reverenced and observed by the citizens of succeeding states. When the Constitution and it’s succeeding Bill of Rights were enacted, these, if diligently applied by every person, should lessen the various cases and forms of court sessions. Why, because contained within these documents are references to one’s dependency upon God and the need for Biblical application.
Before closing this chronicle here are two other very important references: FIRST – The midnight ride of Paul Revere. Poet Longfellow wrote a poem about this occasion which children enjoy reading. The event was not a casual ride on a fast galloping steed. Paul Revere had arranged that a certain person with two lanterns would be in the steeple of the Old North Church in Boston. The purpose was to signal from which direction the British would be approaching. So, about midnight, the signal was given that the British were taking the route to Concord and Lexington. Upon receiving this signal April 18, 1775, Paul Revere mounted his steed and warned the citizens of Boston to prepare for war. For more than a year the British fought in the northern colonies which only inspired the determined citizens to obtain their freedom and liberty. “Give me liberty or give me death”. – Patrick Henry
SECOND – The Liberty Bell. “Get us a good bell” wrote Isaac Norris, speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly. The bell would become a symbolic piece of American History. In a letter, Norris directed the agent to inscribe on the bell: “Proclaim liberty thro’ all the land to all the inhabitants thereof” Leviticus 25:10.
The bell weighed 2,080 pounds and was twelve feet wide. It was ordered from a skilled manufacturer in England. It arrived about a year later. In an attempt to move it to the designated location, it was dropped and cracked. The company would not agree to replace it. The bell was still rung on many special events. Especially, on July 8, 1776, it boomed it’s mighty clang to summon the people of Philadelphia to the state house yard to hear The Declaration of Independence read. All the other bells in Philadelphia joined in this cascade of sound.
My hope is that we all may renew our faith in God. That July the fourth will always be remembered as the day of freedom, liberty and that the United States of America may remain a republic. That evil forces who are attempting to destroy our freedom will be defeated. May our great bell continue to ring out continuously signifying our freedom as a nation which will not succumb to tyranny.
Dr. Dan E. Williams
