“We were sent here to move America forward again by putting people back in charge of their own country, to promote growth to give individuals the opportunities to reach for their dreams, to strengthen institutions of family, school, church, and community, to make the United States a stronger leader for peace, freedom, and progress abroad, and, through it all, to renew our faith in the God who has blessed our land.”
Ronald Reagan 12/12/1983 12:00:00 AM
The following is a speech by Patrick Henry as he spoke to our Nation’s leaders in March of 1775.
“Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” Patrick Henry – 03/23/1775
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not [Jer. 5:21], the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss [Matt. 26:48]. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free– if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending–if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained–we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us [2 Chron. 32:8]. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone [Eccl. 9:11]; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace– but there is no peace [Jer. 6:14]. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle [Matt. 20:6]? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Scripture references added.
This speech can be found in Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry by William Wirt (James Webster: 1818) pages 119-123. WallBuilders offers a beautiful parchment copy of Patrick Henry’s speech and a CD ROM of his Life, Correspondence, and Speeches, available through our online store.
We need to pray for our leaders today. Our nation is in great peril.
And Justice has been served. If the Grand Jury would have decided with public pressure, or emotion there would not be justice.
They did however base their decision on the evidence and testimony they were given. Justice has been served.
Let us all be part of the human race, grieve with the family who tragically lost a son; and grieve with the city of Ferguson, MO for the trials they have experienced by mob rule, and the great injustices done to local businesses and people.
Let us also pray for the peace of all who are not at peace.
-tim
Yeah! My first post on this blog for 2013. I have not been much in the mood for writing, if that is what you would call what I do. 🙂
Anyway, let me give you some updates of what has been going on here on the banks of Flat Creek South of Jenkins, Missouri. On November 30 and December 1 of 2012 I began working on building a back porch on our house. I finished enough where we could use it with the form fiberglass steps we bought with the house. The porch, made of treated lumber measures 8 feet by 8 feet. Not a large porch, but not tiny either.
With cold and freezing setting in for the past few days our driveway has dropped out of sight – a slight over statement of course. Because of the softness of the soil, even where we had previously placed gravel, the road was sinking, making it difficult to drive the car of a slight grade through the gate.
This morning I went out before anyone else was up, and shoveled a pickup bed half full or so of creek gravel, not from the creek bed, by the way, and hauled it to the driveway, unloaded it where it was sinking the most; and by the time I was finished; I mean I was finished too. Too bad I do not have a front loader and a dump bed truck to use. It would make it simpler, and certainly easier. It sure is good exercise loading gravel though.
Just a side note. While I was out gathering my tools for the haul there were a couple of eagles soaring overhead, communicating with one another. I really enjoy hearing their shrill cry, and playful screech with one another.
With all the trouble in the world, and in many of our lives; it is good to know that there are other things which are peaceful. Those ought to remind us that God is still on the throne; and all things will be worked out for His glory.
-tim
God the Almighty One
1. God the almighty One! wisely ordaining Judgments unsearchable, famine and sword; Over the tumult of war Thou art reigning:
Chorus:
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord! Amen.
2. God the all merciful! earth hath forsaken Thy ways of blessedness, slighted Thy Word; Bid not Thy wrath in its terrors awaken:
Chorus.
3. God the all righteous One! man hath defied Thee; Yet to eternity standeth Thy Word; Falsehood and wrong shall not tarry beside Thee:
Chorus.
Give us peace in our time, O Lord! Amen.
A Russian Hymn
Henry F Chorley, 1808-1872
John Ellerton, 1826-1893
Alexis F. Lwoff, 1799-1870
-posted by Tim
As the sun rises over the hill to my East I hear dogs barking, and I wonder what is the dogs barking at. I rise up from my chair to look and see, but they are only barking because they want out of their pen. That will come a little later.
As the sun rises over the hill there are many thoughts that run through my mind. Thoughts of dread, fear, anguish; yet also thoughts of hope, peace, love, joy, and my Lord Jesus Christ. These latter things cancel out the other to some extent where they are not so binding. It’s amazing how thought of Christ can set you free.
As the sun rises over the hill the light gets brighter, everything becomes more clear. Isn’t that what the Light of Christ is also about.
As the Son rises in our hearts, darkness vanishes.
-Tim
Flat Creek Rolling 