Celebrating July 4, 1776
July 2, 2010 (Friday)
Have you ever heard or spoken the expression, “hot as the Fourth of July?” When I was pastor at Northside Baptist Church in Lampasas, in 1954, we wore light jackets on the morning of July 4, and the expression above seemed a little out of place (a few weeks later the temperature was around 115). Normally, July 4 presents us with a very hot day, one that is used by many people to get outside and enjoy it.
The Declaration of Independence was thought to be ready on July 2nd (today’s date), but was not approved until July 4th, after further editing. A committee from the Continental Congress had been appointed to write it, and the logical person to take the lead was Benjamin Franklin, but he was ill. The work then fell to John Adams, who deferred to Thomas Jefferson, because his writing ability was excellent. Adams, a great speaker, recognized this and asked Jefferson to do most of the composition. These two were political opponents. Each became President. Later in life they grew closer in friendship and did a lot of writing to each other. It is well known that they both died on the same day: The Fourth of July, 1826.
When it appeared the document would be approved earlier, Adams wrote to his wife, “The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.” He was certainly correct in his prediction that the event would be celebrated in time to come; the date was changed on him. The Declaration was signed by 53 members on August 2nd, and by the remaining 3 members a little later.
Americans usually celebrate their freedom by exercising it, doing whatever they wish on this special day, and enjoying themselves. Deep down inside them, however, there is a warm feeling of thanks to all who have made freedom possible in this great country. In 1948, I celebrated it by going to church for the first time in years, and my life was never the same again. That will be 62 years ago this Sunday. Jesus met me there that day, and He’s ready to meet you, too. He will do you good.