Overheard at Table 3: Second on the Fourth

What I learned at Second on the Fourth of July:


I learned that in 1783, Benjamin Franklin, as he was walking out of Constitution Hall, was approached by a woman who asked him, "What kind of government have you given us?" - to which he replied, "A republic, if we can keep it."


I learned that Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptists, referencing the flight from England and its state-run church.


I learned that John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of our country, said once that "the birth of our nation is linked to the birthday of our Saviour."


I was tricked by the question, which Founding Father said that we stand fast in the Liberty in the liberty when Christ set us free. This turned out to be a trick question: it wasn't posted by a Founding Father, but the Apostle Paul.


I learned that Patrick Henry stated that it "can't be said too strongly: our nation is founded on Christ."

I learned that John Jay also proclaimed us a Christian nation.

and that Noah Webster (of Webster's Dictionary) stated that the Bible is the source of all moral principles and that "all miseries arise from ignoring its precepts."

I forget exactly, but Alexander Hamilton also said something about "in Jesus"

I also learned that the other great revolution of the century, the French revolution, in contrast to our Christ-founded revolution, was a revolution based on humanity, and that the French paraded a streetwoman up through the Notre Dame cathedral and placed her on the altar and proclaimed her the Goddess of Reason. and the congregation cheered, so bathed we were in the knowledge that we are, because of our divine birth, are so much stronger and healthier and happier, and better, than those sad, sad Frenchies.

I tell you, I was so proud! I mean, I've seen these people walking out during benediction and taking their seats for opening prayers, time after time for over a year, and on this day, when they were saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the service, every man woman and child were at full attention on the flag. I mean, at the end of the service and suddenly seeing how much God gave us our country, I tell you I almost expected to see Jesus Christ Himself descending through the ceiling wrapped in a robe of the Red, White, and Blue!