A Message from the Hill

This July brings the semiquincentennialll celebration for the USA. 11 was on July 4, 1776 that
the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence which
announced to the world that the thirteen American colonies were now to be an independent
nation. The American Experiment was begun. This is an event to be truly celebrated.

The competing powers of Europe were searching for ways of obtaining new wealth. England,
Spain, France, Portugal, Holland and Russia were eagerly fighting for a strong presence
in the New World. They were seeking gold, silver and new commodity sources (sugar,
tobacco, cod) promised immediate wealth and long-term trade profits. They searched for
new trade routes (northwest and northeast passages) to shorten Europe-Asia commerce.
Georgia was created to be a prison colony. Some like the Pilgrims and Puritans sought
religious freedom, but basicallly the reasons for colonization were economic power.

History tel lls us that this was a miraculous event. The original thirteen colonies did not agree
on much. They united under the Articlles of Confederation which soon proced inadequate for
unifying the new country. Each state was its own boss. It took until 1789 for our present
system under the Constitution to be formed in order to create a more perfect union to secure
the blessings of liberty .
 
In 1791 the first ten amendments were added and are known as the Bill of Rights. The very
first amendment proclaimed that there shall be freedom of speech, freedom of the press and
freedom to peaceably assemble. The new government was also prohibited from establishing
one religion as the official religion of the nation. Religion was seen as the moral conscience
of the nation.
 
Christianity became the dominant religion in the US. The Bible has been used by many
different political factions to justify many decisions. Politicians used the Bible to justify the
exploitation of Native Americans, the slave trade of African people, the internment of
Japanese people, and not allowing women to vote. It was also used to fight these very same
issues. The Bible has been used for good and hate. The challenge comes down to whose
interpretations speak for God.
 
Our challenge as 21 st century Christians is still to be the conscience of the State. Jesus
proclaimed , "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's." Jesus also
guided us to "Love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind" and also to "Love our
neighbor as our self'. Love, compassion, and mercy are the hallmarks of our faith.

As we move into the next 250 years of the American Experiment, we, as Christians, have
a major responsibility to God and Country. We are to be active in addressing injustice and
working for peace. In 1872, Senator Carl Schurz said, "Our country right or wrong." But his
quote didn't end there. He continued, "when right, to be kept right; when wrong,. to be put
right." As Christians we bring our faith to our patriotism. We hold the nation and our selves
accountable, correct our failings, and work to preserve the freedom of all God's people,
whoever they might be with liberty and justice for all!

May God Blless America! Amen!
Pastor Frank Terhune