John Adams’ famous letter to his wife Elizabeth. I searched to find the exact letter, without misrepresentation, and this is the original. I find this letter to be of incredible value to my spirit, and to my home. I hope you do as well, as I break it down for you. At least the way I would break it down.
The Second Day of July 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 and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).
I know not why I chose to stay an extra day on this trip (it is Monday morning, and I am here in Lockport NY still, not on my way home, not in the office, but here, preparing to travel. I made this decision weeks before I left. But I feel as though I was prompted by God.
My older brother was baptized yesterday, and by staying here I was present to see his baptism (it was supposed to happen last week, but there was a flood here as I arrived, and the baptismal was filling with sewage back-flow, thus the postponement, and the value to my extra time here). In addition, I was here for a birthday celebration of my eldest nephew, Eli. Which was another celebration of pomp and games and perhaps shews (shows according to literary translations of his letter).
I find myself overjoyed with the growth that took place with my children this past week. It is always difficult living in an environment with 11 people under one roof, and the child dynamic grows their social skills significantly. Couple that with a celebration of a nation, and my eldest daughter witnessing the baptism of her uncle, and me arranging for my younger brother (completing chiropractic school in December) to come and work with HealthSprout in just under a year… the time away was very valuable.
BUT – among all these things, I hear the words from Adams’ letter “It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty”; is there anything more valuable to any of us than a day of deliverance? And is there question of whether or not the greatest way to achieve that deliverance is through solemn acts of devotion to God?
As I shared my week with you above, I ask you to consider your place right now. I write about such things because it is my duty to guard your health as well as I can, and to do so requires that we reach deep into your hearts to find a place of peace. Consider the blessing that has been bestowed on this nation in the past, and the ones that you are recipient of today. Would it not be worth it to secure further blessing through acts of devotion?
I hope these words greet you well on this Monday morning. Be well, and Be blessed! – Dr. E
One thought on “4th of July is over… or…”
just curious as having just read and copied a portion by A.W.Toser. Your last sentence ends with acts of devotion? without the mention ‘to God’ without which I think all else is meaningless.
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes,
I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.
Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity that is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship and that servile imitation of the world that marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.2
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