Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-07-03
TALMAGE
SERMON
BY Rev.
FRANK DE WITT TsLRiAGE. DID,.
Pastor OF Jefferson Park fEesby-
teTiAn Church. Chiengc

some Oh lne AeSSOLS 10 DC Drawn from
the Declaration OF Independence and
their application to the later conditions
OF our own times. The text is Psalm
cvi, 5, ''rhat l may rejoic in the glad
ness of thy nation"
When a child is born the attending
physician makes out a birth certificate.
This important document is sent TO the
fireproof building where are preserved
the county records. The omission OF
this certificate or the improper filing
damage. Years hence the lack of II
might disinherit the child of large
property interests and involve many
would be heirs in interminable legal
strife
But though the birth certificate of an
individual may be vigilantly guarded
ft-is not so carefully preserved as is
the birth certificate of a nation. Then
the sentimental as well as the intrinsic
value places II above the price of silver
and gold. II possible it is carefully
housed within the sacred hall wherein
the nation was born. The paper upon
which is written the Declaration of In
dependence is the American nations
birth certificate. Other nations came
to recognition by the slow processes
America sprang into existence in
day, and this Declaration announced to
an astonished world on July 4, 1776,
the birth of n new member OF the
family OF nations. As the young King
Alfonso XIII. of Spain, having been
born after the death OF his father, has
the unique distinction among sover-
eigns of being born a king, so the
American Goddess of Liberty at her
frst appearance took her place in
the world as n sovereign. The docu-
ment in which she declared her sover-
eighty and her rights constituted the
old Independence hall OF Philadelphia
the most sacred building in American
history, since within its walls is that
sacred birth chamber in which was
first rocked the cradle Of this newborn
national infant. 1t publishes to the
world that the mon who signed their
names ut the foot OF that immortal
document, penned by Thomas Jeffer-
son In the little three story red brick
house still standing at the corner Of
Seventh and Market streets, Philadel-
phia, were the attending witnesses
whose testimony gave validity to that
national birth certificate
An Immortal Paper.
The Declaration of Independence as
document is our theme today. 1 am
going to lay down upon my pulpit
desk a facsimile OF this immortal pa
per. do this for two reasons. First.
1t Is the last Sabbath preceding our
national Independence day; hence IL Is
fitting and appropriate for patriotic
themes. The second reason is that a
Few weeks ago, after the death of q
very dear friend, the facsimile Of the
Declaration OF Independence which /
now place before you came into my
possession. | have read IL over and
over, again. have read Ii in the
chirography OF Thomas jefferson and
In the handwriting with which the at
tending statesmen signed IT, have
read it with all its corrections and
Al
entirely different feelings from those
with which | used TO regard IL when
1t came to me in cold and unimpas-
stoned type. This most sacred docu-
ment OF American history appears to
me In an entirely new aspect. and from
1t today would CLEAN some new moral
deductions for the everyday struggles
or our practical lives.
The Declaration OF Independence was
the startling elimination Of manly In
tolerance of injustice. The document
was not, as some people suppose, the
result OF long and carefully planned
conspiracy extending over many years.
Ii seemed rather 10 have been the out
growth OF the moment 1t was the
capitalization Of sentiments the results
or which but few men could foresee.
The British ministry had not antici-
pated it, neither had the American peo-
pie. When the First Continental con-
gress assembled in Philadelphia, ON
Sept 8, 11I4, there was probably not one
prominent leader In all America who
wished for national Independence with
tne sole exception possibly OF Samuel
Adams OF Boston. Before the 18th of
April, 1175." wrote Thomas Jefferson.
i had never heard whisper OF n dis
position to separate from the mother
country" when first took command
or the army, July 8, 1915. / abhorred
the idea OF independence" wrote
George Washington in one of his let
ters, but / am now convinced that
nothing else will save us" All that
the American colony wished from Eng
land was not separation, but justice.
For Right and Justice.
The two countries in every essential
part OF their make up were one They
spoke the same language. Many fam
1lies had brothers and sisters and other
relatives In both countries. The chill
dren OF prominent Americans were for
the most part educated in English
schools. where they were taught to
reverence the British king. When
Richard III nry Lee arose on the mem
oTable 7th of June, 1776, and read the
Following resolution: Resolved, That
these united colonies are and OF a
right ought to be free and independents
states and that they are absolved from
all allegiance to the British crown.s his |
own boy was at that time attending an !
English school. This American youth.
some weeks later, was standing beside |
one OF his teachers when n visitor ask |
cd, "Who is that boyY' "IIe is the son
of Richard Henry Lee" was the teach |
er's answer. Then the visitor placed |
his hand upon the lads shoulder and |
said, boy, we shall yet see your IA
theirs head upon Tower hillv' TO this |
the son replied, yes, you may have IL
when you get itr' If Richard Henry
Lee for years had been conspiring for
American independence, he would new
or have sent his son across the sea to
be educated under the domination and
influence OF the English throne. The
Declaration of American Independence
was written and signed as a last resort
and because the British ministry would
not listen to American petitions. 1t
was written because King George with
the faulty OF royal and immortal na-