“Observations”
by: Donald S. Conkey
Date: September 11, 2008 - # 8837b - A Testimony of our Constitution (813)
Last week a friend asked one of those
questions that immediately demanded attention. His question: “How many Americans have a ‘testimony’ of the
United States Constitution?”
This question lingered in my mind — and I pondered it. I know many who have
a testimony of God, of Jesus Christ, and of the Declaration of Independence, with it’s oft quoted words “all men
are created equal” but not many who have a testimony of the Constitution; the most unique document of foundational law
ever written by mortal man.
On Independence Day we sing patriotic songs, including our national anthem, and
recite the pledge of allegiance to our flag. But where are the songs or pledges honoring our Constitution?
The organization I helped create, Citizen Advocates for Constitutional Principles (CACP), was holding
a banquet to honor the signing of the Constitution and we needed a special song for this occasion. There were none. I looked
at America’s
cherished songs of grandeur: America the Beautiful, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, and The Star-Spangled Banner for ideas. These songs
are inspiring and uplifting for all Americans. Their words reflect America’s heritage with its dependence on
God. This was refreshing; especially during these times when the Supreme Court is redefining the Founder’s intent for
the Constitution’s deeply embedded principles of freedom.
The courts, having
turned to the secular philosophies of man, are trying to downplay the divinely inspired laws the Founding Fathers relied upon
to write America’s two foundational documents. One wonders if those that advocate these sweeping changes fully realize
just how much they are jeopardizing America uniqueness while trying to make America “just another nation,” void of His Hand to protect America from the onslaught of secularism.
Historian Will Durant wrote of the sure self-destruction of 20 of 21 nations who mocked morality and groveled after the “fleshpots”
of the world. Will America be number 21 to self-destruct?
In reading the words of America’s inspired songs we can feel their testimonies of America and their testimony of America and its Creator
were real. Now the courts are removing their God from the fabric of America that is so embodies by their phrases that extol God — phrases like “In
God is our trust,” by Francis Scott Key in his Star-Spangled Banner; or in Katherine Lee Bates’
America the
Beautiful “America! America!
God shed his grace on thee; God mend thine every flaw; May God thy gold refine;” or in Samuel F. Smith’s My Country
‘Tis of Thee and his powerful plea for God’s protective hand on America with his words: “Protect us by thy might, Great
God our King.”
Those would be destroyers of America’s founding culture and fabric know not what they
do. And many Americans do not understand their freedoms and the freedoms of generations yet to come are on the line. America can not remove
God from its culture and fabric and survive. No nation ever has — no nation ever will - for long.
From the
beginning there have been great orators who have stirred America’s patriotism. They include Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty
or give me death;” John Paul Jones’ “I have not yet begun to fight;” and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” These words inspired a nation in need of Godly inspiration in their
time. Our current generation is in dire need of comparable men, or women, whose words and images will inspire us.
There is a sense of fear in the hearts of many Americans regarding the 2008 political campaign. They recognize that
if the political corruption in Washington is going to be cleaned up that there must be “Change” but they fear the unknown candidate
and those supporting him. They fear the drift into Socialism and they fear the ineptness of our congressional leaders whose
approval rating of nine percent is at an all time low.
So do more Americans need ‘a testimony’
of the Constitution of the United States? Do they need a testimony that our Constitution was and is indeed an inspired Constitution? Yes,
I think we do.
And next week would be a good time to start. Next Wednesday is the 221st
anniversary of the signing of America’s unique Constitution on September
17, 1787. Read it, it’s not long. Don’t have one then
go to the Justice Center
to Congressman Tom Price’s office and get one free. Or go on line to www.nccs.net and order the DVD ‘A More Perfect Union.’ Then watch it and feel that divine influence that helped those 56 men
come to a consensus, without bloodshed, to create the world’s first written document of law to govern a nation whose
goals, outlined in its preamble, would restore freedom to an enslaved world.
Those of you who belong to local
service clubs would do well to remember this nation’s Constitution in your prayers and talks next week - the 221st
Anniversary of the signing of America’s unique Constitution.
