The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-07-16
miscellaneous.
A SERMON.
PREACHED on THE 4TH JULY, 1897, BY REV
W. I. BRAND.

W. I. BRAND.
IF the Son shall make you free, We shall be
free indeed. ST. John VIII, So
On this day one hundred and twenty-one
years ago the wise and bold leaders OF public
sentiment, assembled as the Continental Con-
gress, made public that Act which separated
the United States of America from that ancient
realm-the birthland of all that has made us
lit for freedom-which till then had been our
Mother Country; how much loved as such the
name "Home" is enough to show, for so the
ColonistS called England. Through long
years and by slow degrees did loving attach
ment give place to the bitter resentment
which a long continued sense of wrong en-
gendels. Even after petition and reiEou-
STRANGE had given place to armed resistance,
there We're those true to the cause of the
Colonies who yet shrank from the thought of
separation. 1t is related by a Scotch gentle
man that he said to Washington, when about
to cross the Potomac to take command of the
American army, The end Of what you are
about to enter on will be separation from
England" and that the solemn answer given
was, ICED forbid ~ But, within these
earnest men, there was something stronger
than love OF home, of those principles
which they had brought from home, which
made the Mother Country what it was then,
and is now, the freest land in the Old World.
Sons of a free mother they would not abandon
their birthright. The full relate nship of
sons they claimed. Nothing less than fullest
English liberty could satisfy them. With the
sembance Of it they could not be deceived,
and in the end, for the maintenance of those
rights which Englishmeu at home would have
died rather than resign, they wisely chose the
uncertainties of war. Through gradual
alienation ant through conviction that CON
tinued union involved continued oppression,
separation was determined on. On this day,
1Ii6, the representatives OF the vast majority
of the Colonists, in Congress assembled, made
public that noble Declaration of Independ-
ence which is our second Magma Charta.
Seeing in their king but lie representative of
tyranny, they reject their king: abandoned
by their countrymeu to the Injustice of Gov
eminent they disown their first allegiance,
and heuccforth know no country but the land
of their birth; with little in which to trust
but courage in a just cause, they pledge their
fortunes, their lives and sacred honor to the
maintenance of that cause and declare to the
world that henceforth us independent they
will be free indeed.
The purpose of Congress was well known,
but yet with burning impatience multitude
hasi IN door pf ba byn bn
certed signal was given that Independence
was declared. In fultiment Of the office to
which it had been consecrated when, many
years before, it was cast with the words upon
its rim, Proclaim liberty throughout tie hnd to
all the mhdJituatS MercOf, the Liberty Bell rang
out the declaration ''yc shall be free iHdecd."
Bringing joy, or fear, or hope, kindling pa
triotic fire in many breast, while filling many
a heart with sadness, that sound was heard
throughout all the land by all the inhabitants
thereof. May its echo never cease, and as the
reverberaton comes back to Us with each re-
curing anniversary, may it be hailed with
signs of meet joy i'll spirit OF gratitude to
the God Of Nations and with a feeling of honor
for the brave men who, for our good, cast
ton of God.
At the time, and writing Of the unanimous
passing of the resolution That these United
Colonies are and Of right ought to be free
and independent States" John Adams wrote
to his wife, 81 am apt to believe that this da;
will be celebrated by succeeding general. ons
as the great anniversary festival 1t ought to
l. j,,. 81 I
by solemn acts Of devotion to Almighty God
from this time forth for ever more" And SO
saying this eminent statesman wrote not only
as an existing patriot, but wisely. What
American christian but assents to his words !?
Should we not on this day thank God for the
favor this day shown? Should We not recog-
nize that through all the trying scenes which
ushered in our Nateu's birth, His hand upheld
us We know that among the first acts of
that Convention which in the end declared
our independence was the formal seeking of
Gods guidance. Business was suspended
until clergyman could be procured to ask in
prayer, Gods presence. Men of varied habits
and thoughts mingled with patriots, but as a
body they acknowledged Gods rule. Are you
not as Christians glad to know that our lead
ers prayed Their prayers were answered.
| In a wonderful manner was the end which
they sought effected. Should not our thanks
| 90 up to God now that we receive the benefits
OF that contest on which they were about TO
enter? If they felt the need of Gods bless
ing, assured that . Except the Lord build the
| house, they labor in vain that build it, is
| it not meet that with our praises we should
pray earnestly for His continued favor know
ing that " Except the Lord keep the city, the
| Waterman waketh but in vain" Surely the
dangers which they boldly faced are not those
alone which mperil. Surely the thoughtful
| Christian may see enough in the state OF our
country now to call forth grave consideration
enough to check all tendency to share in the
boastfulncss Of our people enough to bring
| home the lesson how evil is mingled with all
the good brought about by mans agency, or
left to mans care. And, if our fathers meetly
mingled religious exercises with political con
| siderations, do you deeEl it unmeet that We
| should have our religious exercises influenced
! by the thought of political blessings ami
duties Is it an TLmeet thing that on the
| day which tells us of the rest of God and of
the rest which remaineth for the people OF
God We should be occupied with thoughts
concerning that temporal rest which this same
Lord has given us in this land Of freedom
| think not. The Christian is not, because u
Christian, the less a lover Of his country.