THE FAMILY ALTAR

July 4.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any

people." Prov. 14:34

This is Independence Day, and we will pray for our dear

country: Almighty and everlasting God, Thou righteous Judge of

all the earth. The nations of the world are before Thee as clay

is in the potter's hands. Thou didst bring our oppressed and

persecuted forefathers into this goodly Western World and didst

create us a free and independent nation on this ever memorable

and happy day. Through Thy gracious and fostering providence

we have grown to be a great and mighty people. Though our sins

are many and justly deserve Thy righteous punishments, Thou

hast spared us in Thy great mercy and hast preserved unto us

our beloved Union with its priceless civil and religious liberty.

We thank and praise Thee, on this birthday of our country, for

the matchless and boundless mercies Thou hast so unceasingly

showered on us and our children in this land of peace and plenty.

Oh, we beseech Thee in the name of Thy dear Son, our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ, through whom alone Thy saving blessings

come upon us, to pardon and to save us still and to cause Thy

holy Word to be preached among us in all its converting and

sanctifying power, that the hearts of all our citizens may be inclined

toward Thee and we all may live in true faith before Thee and

walk in Thy fear and keep Thy statutes and commandments.

Endow our legislatures, both National and State, with wisdom

from on high that they may ever pass only such laws as are just

in Thy holy sight and redound to the peace and welfare of our

beloved country. Bless our President and all other executive

officers, all judges and magistrates, that they may execute our

laws without fear or favor, knowing that they judge not for man,

but for Thee, the sovereign Judge of all, who art with them in

the judgment. Preserve unto us the purity of the ballot, the

lawful liberty of speech, and the sanctity of our homes. Suppress

all secret plottings against the free institutions and the peace and

prosperity of our dear land, and take us into Thy safe-keeping

now and forevermore. Hear us as we pray. 

 DAILY READINGS IN LIFE OF CHRIST - J.R. Miller (1890)

July 4. Words of Wonder

"And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?" Mark 6:2 

They could not help being astonished, for Christ's words were full of wisdom. "No man ever spoke like this man," they said. Yet, although they were astonished — they did not yield Him their confidence and their love. The outcome of their amazement was only scornful and unbelieving rejection. It is ofttimes the same still. People cannot help confessing that Christ is wonderful; that He is the most glorious character the world ever saw; that His teachings are infinitely above all human teaching; that His power is majestic; that His love passes all thought. Yet while they grant all this — they do not give Him the homage of their hearts.

It is as if a drowning man in the sea were to be amazed at the beauty and the completeness of the life-boat that came to offer him rescue — and should yet sneeringly reject the rescue and stay among the waves to perish.

'Where did this man get these things?' they asked in derision and contempt. They knew Him. Some of them had been His playmates and schoolmates in earlier years, and then later His workmates. They knew that He had never been to any, but the village school, where they had all attended. How was it, that this plain, untaught young man had such wisdom as He now seemed to have, and did such works as were reported of Him? They could not explain it, and so they treated the whole matter with contempt.

We may ask the same question today in sincerity of those who reject Christ. Here is a man who spoke the wisest words ever spoken on this earth, and who did the most wonderful works ever performed. Yet He was only a village carpenter, and had only a village school education.

How do you account for His wisdom and His power? 
' Can it be, that He is more than human? Can it be, that He is who the Bible says He is — "God manifest in the flesh!"

 Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop, Reformation Church of England (Anglican)

 Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1845). French philosopher and author of Democracy on America.

Note his views clearly contrast with those of the notorious Kamala Harris "We must not be burdened by what has been." I prefer De Tocqueville. J. Ogles

 When my grandson, Owen, was in pre-school, the teacher had each child write something that illustrated the principle of 'personification:' Below is Owen's short illustration:

 Perhaps the steps of the Roman Senate?