This 4th of July, let’s reflect on how far we have drifted from the original intent of early Americans—“A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do” (Woodrow Wilson). Consider the following:

Then: First introduced in 1766, William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws, served as the legal reference for the Founders, as well as for many early American lawyers. Blackstone’s commentaries were deeply rooted in biblical principles. It’s been said that Blackstone was the first to use the phrase, “the laws of nature and of nature’s God.”

Now: “It is unconstitutional for students to see the Ten Commandments since they might read, meditate upon, respect, or obey them.”

Then: John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, said, “Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son.”

Now: In 1995, a District judge in Texas decreed that any student saying the name of Jesus during school graduation ceremonies would be jailed.

Then: Noah Webster, the Founding Father of American Scholarship and Education, said, “In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed . . . .” He believed so strongly in this that he often gave Scripture references when he defined words in his colossal work: American Dictionary of the English Language.

Now: Many students are criticized when they read their Bibles in public, or at school. Christianity is challenged, mocked, and ridiculed while most other beliefs are accepted and embraced. Sadly, in order to be politically correct, Noah Webster’s Scripture references have been withdrawn from recent editions.

Then: The Delaware Constitution initially required that everyone appointed to public office must say, “I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ his only Son . . . .” Many other Constitutions such as Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and Connecticut all acknowledged their reliance on God.

Now: Those who run for office and profess a faith in Jesus Christ are viewed as fanatical and/or extreme, and are often criticized by the media.

­­­­­­Then: Early Americans felt that it was impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. They often petitioned God for guidance, direction, and encouragement. Fisher Aimes, author of the First Amendment, openly declared, “Should not the bible regain the place it once held as a school book?”

Now: Bible displays, as well as Ten Commandment monuments, are often ruled unconstitutional in courthouses and other public places. Mr. Aimes would no doubt disagree with these rulings.

Then: In 1790, Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, said this about public schools, “But the religion I mean to recommend in this place is that of the New Testament . . . .”

Now: Most schools avoid doctrines of the New Testament. In Roberts v. Madigan (1989), for example, the court ruled: “It is unconstitutional for a classroom library to contain books which deal with Christianity, or for a teacher to be seen with a personal copy of the Bible at school.” (Granted, courts have ruled that the Bible can be used, in some cases, for historical and literary purposes.)

Then: “The first and primary duty of government is to protect innocent human life” (Thomas Jefferson). “Nobody has the freedom to choose to do what’s morally wrong” (Abraham Lincoln).

Now: If the names of all the babies who have been aborted since the early 1970s were placed on a monument (much like that of the Vietnam Memorial Wall), it’s been estimated that the monument could span over 35 miles. Although many protest war, very few speak out against abortion. The womb is no longer the safest place, but one of the most dangerous. What a travesty!

Unbelievable! And we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. It’s extremely disheartening to see how far we have drifted from God’s word. Let us not forget: America did not produce the blessings of liberty and freedom—liberty and freedom produced the blessings of America. Without question, repentance, prayer, and humility before God is our only hope.