Saturday, January 28, 2012 "Christian Nation" Part XIV

Saturday, January 28, 2012

"Christian Nation" Part XIV

First From Julie's Keyboard:

In reflection this week after hearing comments made from Republican candidates for the presidency, I was particularly impressed by one of them and the stand he promoted regarding the "family."  In his remarks, he took us back to a document even beyond the "Constitution."  That being of course the "Declaration of Independence."  How heart warming for someone to stand up and remind us all of the intent of our Founders as they based the structure of this Nation upon the principles of God's Word.

Families are the foundation of institution in this earth.  God established the first one in the beginning and told them to take dominion in this earth and be fruitful in child bearing.  The strength of character in our families is an indicator of the strength found in our government.  Unfortunately, we've allowed a number of ideologies to have access to the home life, thus rendering instability and all manner of dysfunction.

Simply put, if our homes aren't a place of strength and refuge, a place of love and kindness, a place of hope and rest, why would we expect by some miracle, things to function well at the governing level of our nation.  My thought for submission today is to say this has to be worth some checking into.  If, in all of our wisdom and technology, we've let the fabric of our lives slip to some form of replacement occupancy other than that designed for man (the family) by the Heavenly Father, we mustn't be surprised when things aren't working all around us.

It was God's original plan to make man and give Him dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.  It was His plan for man to bear fruit and rule in this arena with his family.  What would happen today if our focus would be from such a foundation as given us by God Himself?  Could we once again see a wave of revival across this land?  What if we loved God with everything that we have, and loved our neighbor as our own selves?  Isn't this what He expects?

As we enjoy our families in the days ahead, may we truly reflect on how important this institution is in God's eyes, and how vital it is to our own souls.  May we never forget that His way of doing things is the only guarantee to fulfilling a life of purpose.

May we meditate on just what He said when He gave the charge to Adam in the Garden.

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and  over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."    Genesis 1:29

What's important to us today?  How strong is the bond of family in our lives?

Blessings,

Julie

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"Christian Nation" Part XIV

We are back at our computer this week after missing a week.  A couple days fighting a fever and then work, plus our other responsibilities kept us from last weeks post.  Even as I sit here now I find a desire to apply more time than what is available to the subject at hand.  I feel the responsibility to you, if you are going to take the time to read, surly there is a need to invest the time to make it worth reading.  So be assured, if the content is not here, the desire is!

Getting to the subject at hand and bouncing off the post that is now two weeks old let me begin with President Washington.  In his farewell address on September 17, 1796 Washington stated:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." 

We are told today by our Constitutional experts that our religious faith must be kept out of our public square, it is a personal thing and should be kept separate from our public life and service.  Yet our first President George Washington, who presided over the framing of the Constitution stated after it's ratification and acceptance of the Bill of Rights, that our religion and morality are indispensable supports toward the achievement of political prosperity. 

Does it not seem strange to you, that in the midst of our political disarray in Washington today, we are being told to avoid and disregard the very elements that were deemed indispensable to its support and structure?

President Washington would continue: "In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness." 

How shall I expound upon that statement, I love the way our Founders were so direct and concise, it is amazing how successful the experts have been in making them so confusing.  In Washington's mind it was a vain thing to consider patriotism outside of religion and morality, the two great pillars of human happiness. 

President Washington would continue: "Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds . . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail, in exclusion of religious principle."

Here Washington brings the power of these two pillows to bare upon the education of the mind, suggesting that even outside religious thought, reason and experience align themselves with the same view, that if you remove the religious principles from our society and it's elements from our law, national morality will collapse!  As this very thing is happening around us, dare we stand back as blind guides and wonder why? 

These pillows of which Washington spoke prevailed in our nation and were embraced by all branches of government.  This is reflected in so many news paper accounts during that era.  Look at these early reports concerning the United States Supreme Court.

(1.) Pursuant to law, Court convened with Chief Justice John Jay, Associate Justice William Cushing, and Judge John Sullivan in attendance.  After the customary proclamations were made and the Grand Jury sworn, a short, though pertinent charge was given them by his Honor the Chief Justice, when the Throne of Grace was addressed by the Rev. D. Samuel Haven. ~ Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1791.

(2.) Court opened on Saturday, May 12, with Chief Justice John Jay, Associate Justice William Cushing, and John Lowell in attendance.  On Monday, May 14, Jay delivered charge to the Grand Jury. . . . "replete with his usual perspicuity and elegance." The prayer was made by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Parker.  His Excellency the Vice-President of the United States was in Court." ~ Boston, Massachusetts, 1792

(3.) Last Wednesday the Circuit Court of the United States opened in this town: When the Rev. Mr. Patten addressed the Throne of Grace in prayer, after which the Hon. Judge Wilson delivered to the Grand Jury a charge. ~ Newport, Rhode Island, 1793

(4.) On Monday last the Circuit Court of the United States was opened in this town.  The Hon. Judge Paterson presided.  After the Jury were impaneled, the Judge delivered a most elegant and appropriate charge. . . . Religion and morality were pleasingly inculcated and enforced as being necessary for good government, good order, and good laws, for "when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice." . . . After the charge was delivered , the Rev. Mr. Timothy Alden addressed the Throne of Grace in an excellent, well adapted prayer. ~ Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1800.

As you can see, unlike today, the eternal value of these great pillows (religion and morality) were esteemed by all branches.  All understood the value of each, not only in their personal lives, but also in their public service.  To diffuse them into our society were invaluable, and to their support they gave their service. 

All of these attributes existing in the three branches of government would be conducive to that of a Christian nation as defined by the United States Supreme Court in 1892.

May God bless each of you,

David