Why We Should Celebrate the 4th of July

     In the past week, while celebrating and meditating on the 4th of July, I read many tributes.  But none were as good, in my estimation, as the sermon posted by Wallbuilders.com.  It was given by the Rev. Joseph Lathrop on July 4, 1794, preached in Mass.  It goes through the history of the Revolution, how it came about and the justification for it biblically.
     For me it revealed so much.  I love history, especially American history.  I believe it is so important for us to know our true history because it is rewritten almost every generation by men and women with an agenda to promote.  That's why it's important to get as close as we can to the "original" sources.  This Pastor preached this sermon in 1794, very close to the Revolutionary War.  He saw the war.  He probably lost loved ones in the war.  He may have even fought in it.  Because of that we can believe his report.  You can't get much closer to an "original source"

Old North Church
Boston, Mass.

     As we get farther and farther away from the teaching of our true history in our schools, I encourage you to read this sermon and other original documents and teach them to your children. If you wish to hang on to them philosophically, intellectually and spiritually, they need to know the truth.  They won't get it in school.  Even many of our Christian schools are weak in this area.  It's our responsibility as parents and grandparents to pass truth on to our offspring.  You can read through it yourself then instead of reading it to them, explain each paragraph to them.  When they get old enough to understand it they can then read the beautiful language for themselves and appreciate it in a whole new way.     The most beautiful part of the sermon, for me, was the last paragraph. It's where he wrapped it all up and where he gave hope and encouragement to the church.  That's what we need so badly as a country right now, so to whet your appetite for the sermon, I'm going to reprint the last paragraph here.  So like Jesus at the wedding in Cana, I've saved the best for last!

     "THE DAY IS COMING WHEN LIBERTY AND PEACE SHALL BLESS THE HUMAN RACE.  BUT PREVIOUS TO THIS, TRUTH AND VIRTUE MUST PREVAIL, AND THE RELIGION OF JESUS MUST GOVERN MEN'S HEARTS.  THEN THE HORRORS OF WAR WILL CEASE, AND THE GROANS OF SLAVERY WILL NO MORE BE HEARD.  THE ROD OF THE OPPRESSOR WILL BE BROKEN, AND THE YOKE SHALL BE REMOVED FROM THE SHOULDERS OF THE OPPRESSED.  THE SCEPTER WILL BE WRESTED FROM THE HANDS OF THE WICKED, AND THE POMP OF THE PROUD WILL BE BROUGHT DOWN TO THE DUST.  THE WHOLE EARTH WILL REST AND BE QUIET; THEY WILL BREAK FORTH INTO SINGING.  THE LORD WILL COMFORT ZION; HE WILL COMFORT ALL HER WASTE PLACES.  HE WILL MAKE HER WILDERNESS LIKE EDEN, AND HER DESERT LIKE THE GARDEN OF THE LORD.  JOY AND GLADNESS SHALL BE FOUND THEREIN, THANKSGIVING AND THE VOICE OF MELODY."  by the Rev. Joseph Lathrop on July 4, 1794 in Mass.

     Now, wasn't that like cool water poured onto dry ground?

Lathrop 4th Sermon: Click Here