Journey of Cross and Quill

Our family is leaving Thursday morning to attend a campout through Sunday morning with a large group of geocachers and so I will be absent from my blog most likely until Monday.

As we approach the celebration of Independence Day, I encourage you to read the Declaration Of Independence in addition to John Quincy Adam’s 1837 Fourth of July Oration.

God bless you and yours this weekend and keep safe.

Diffuse the knowledge of the Bible, and the hungry will be fed, the naked clothed. Diffuse the knowledge of the Bible, and the stranger will be sheltered, the prisoner visited, and the sick ministered unto. Diffuse the knowledge of the Bible, and Temperance will rest upon a surer basis than any mere private pledge or public statute. Diffuse the knowledge of the Bible, and the peace of the world will be secured by more substantial safeguards than either the mutual fear, or the reciprocal interest, of princes or of people.

Diffuse the knowledge of the Bible, and the day will be hastened, as it can be hastened in no other way, when every yoke shall be loosened, and every bond broken, and when there shall be no more leading into captivity . . . The world, which seems to outgrow successively all other books, find still in this an ever fresh adaptation to every change in its condition and every period in its history. Now, as a thousand years ago, it has lessons alike for individuals and for nations; for rulers and for people; for monarchies and for republics; for times of stability and for times of overthrow; for the rich and the poor; for the simplest and the wisest men may as well build their houses upon the sand and expect to see them stand, when the rains fall, and the winds blow, and the floods come, as to found free institutions upon any other basis than that morality and virtue, of which the Word of God is the only authoritative rule, and the only adequate sanction.
All societies of men must be governed in some way or other. The less they may have of stringent State Government, the more they must have of individual self government. The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint. Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.
It may do for other countries and other governments to talk about the State supporting religion. Here, under our own free institutions, it is Religion which must support the State. And never more loudly than at this moment have these institutions of ours called for such support . . .

The Bible: Addresses and Speeches on Various Occasions

Thirteen quotes of Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story (1779-1845)

1. Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence.

2. The constitution of the United States is to receive a reasonable interpretation of its language, and its powers, keeping in view the objects and purposes, for which those powers were conferred. By a reasonable interpretation, we mean, that in case the words are susceptible of two different senses, the one strict, the other more enlarged, that should be adopted, which is most consonant with the apparent objects and intent of the Constitution.

3. A good government implies two things; first, fidelity to the objects of the government; secondly, a knowledge of the means, by which those objects can be best attained.

4. Men, to act with vigour and effect, must have time to mature measures, and judgment and experience, as to the best method of applying them. They must not be hurried on to their conclusions by the passions, or the fears of the multitude. They must deliberate, as well as resolve.

5. How much more do they deserve our reverence and praise, whose lives are devoted to the formation of institutions, which, when they and their children are mingled in the common dust, may continue to cherish the principles and the practice of liberty in perpetual freshness and vigour.

6. Without justice being freely, fully, and impartially administered, neither our persons, nor our rights, nor our property, can be protected. And if these, or either of them, are regulated by no certain laws, and are subject to no certain principles, and are held by no certain tenure, and are redressed, when violated, by no certain remedies, society fails of all its value; and men may as well return to a state of savage and barbarous independence.

7. The truth is, that, even with the most secure tenure of office, during good behavior, the danger is not, that the judges will be too firm in resisting public opinion, and in defence of private rights or public liberties; but, that they will be ready to yield themselves to the passions, and politics, and prejudices of the day.

8. It should therefore be difficult in a republic to declare war; but not to make peace.

9. It is important also to consider, that the surest means of avoiding war is to be prepared for it in peace.

10. And it is no less true, that personal security and private property rest entirely upon the wisdom, the stability, and the integrity of the courts of justice.

11. There is little need of commentary upon this clause. No man can well doubt the propriety of placing a president of the United States under the most solemn obligations to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution. It is a suitable pledge of his fidelity and responsibility to his country; and creates upon his conscience a deep sense of duty, by an appeal, at once in the presence of God and man, to the most sacred and solemn sanctions, which can operate upon the human mind.

12. On the other hand, the duty imposed upon him to take care, that the laws be faithfully executed, follows out the strong injunctions of his oath of office, that he will “preserve, protect, and defend the constitution.” The great object of the executive department is to accomplish this purpose; and without it, be the form of government whatever it may, it will be utterly worthless for offence, or defence; for the redress of grievances, or the protection of rights; for the happiness, or good order, or safety of the people.

13. Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.

Joseph Story: Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833.

By Gary DeMar

The title for today’s article is taken from a response to one of American Vision’s daily articles. The respondent is an atheist who claims he can refute any argument raised in defense of the Christian faith. I have irritated him so much by answering his poorly researched responses he sends to me that his true character is spilling out in a public way. His personal emails to me are worse than what I have reproduced here. If you want to know what the world would be like with atheists in control, here’s a little taste:

It’s good that Christians homeschool. We need citizens to clean our toilets and mow our lawns. Perhaps some homeschooled Christians will be able to fill these types of jobs. The rest will be unemployable retards like their parents.

Here’s what I want homeschoolers to do: First, reply to this article and leave a comment describing what kind of work you are doing since you completed homeschooling. Second, send this article and its link to every homeschooler and homeschool organization you know and encourage them to leave a comment at the end of this article describing what they are doing since being homeschooled. Third, I don’t want to exclude those who have graduated from a private or church-related Christian school. You can get in on this as well by adding your comments.

More…

From Alvin J Schmidt’s How Christianity Changed the World, thirteen phrases coined or inspired by the Bible in use today:

1. “Good Samaritan” Origin: Jesus Christ’s parable (Luke 10:30-37). Current meaning: Someone who is kind and helpful, especially to strangers.

2. “Avoid it like the plague” Origin: St. Jerome, early 5th century. Current meaning: Avoid anything that might be harmful.

3. “Brother” Origin: A concept addressed by Jesus Christ (Mark 3:3). Current meaning: Spiritual kinship with someone not biologically related.

4. “Doubting Thomas” Origin: Thomas doubting Christ’s resurrection (John 20:24-28) Current meaning: Someone who doubts valid evidence.

5. “Filthy lucre” Origin: St. Paul (Titus 1:11) Current meaning: Often applied to all money.

6. “The gospel truth” Origin: The veracity of Jesus Christ’s life and sayings in the four New Testament Gospels. Current meaning: A synonym for absolute truth.

7. “Harmless as doves” Origin: Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:16). Current meaning: Someone who does no one any harm.

8. “A Judas” Origin: Betrayal of Jesus by Judas (New Testament Gospels) Current meaning: An inside person who betrays a friend or group.

9. “Rob Peter to pay Paul” Origin: Assets of St. Peter’s Church in London being used to repair St. Paul’s cathedral, 1540s. Current meaning: Taking money from one person or group to assist another.

10. “Thorn in the flesh” Origin: St. Paul’s enduring personal ailment (2 Corinthians 12:7). Current meaning: Any problem that continues to vex someone.

11. “Turn the other cheek” Origin: Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:39). Current meaning: Not getting even with one’s enemy.

12. “When in Rome do as the Romans do” Origin: St. Ambrose, ca. early 390s. Current meaning: Adopt the manners of the place one visits.

13. “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” Origin: Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:15). Current meaning: An appealing person can be deceptive.

Thursday morning I am leaving with my mom and three children for Oklahoma City to see one of my best friends from college get married on Saturday. We’ll be stopping off in Kansas for a day to visit with my sister and her two young children. I’ll be back sometime Sunday evening. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we travel!

A sample collection of photos of my foster ferrets

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better that the builders of Babel. : We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.

Benjamin Franklin as recorded by James Madison

(Source: James Madison, The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, Max Farrand, editor (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1911), Vol. I, pp. 450-452, June 28, 1787.)

In writing, in 1790, to Sr. Stiles, President if Yale College:

“You desire to know something of my religion. Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion. As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals, and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see. I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes; and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubt as to his divinity, though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it is needless to busy myself with it now, when I soon will have the opportunity of knowing the truth, with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and observed, especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the believers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure. i shall only add, respecting myself. that. having experienced the goodness of that Being in conducting me prosperously through a long life, I have no doubt of its continuance in the next, though without the smallest conceit of meriting such goodness. My sentiments on this subject you will see in the copy of an old letter enclosed, which I wrote in answer to one from an old religionist (Whitefield) whom I had relieved in a paralytic case by electricity, and who, being afraid I should grow proud upon it, sent me his serious though rather impertinent caution.

“With great and sincere esteem and affection, I am,

“Benjamin Franklin.”