Each Fourth of July since 1776 this youthful nation celebrates the declaration of its independence from Great Britain. The eloquent statement setting forth the reason for declaring the independence of the 13 North American colonies was largely the work of Thomas Jefferson although John Hancock (Mass) was the first to sign “… by order and in behalf of Congress.”
Fifty members of Congress signed the document on August 2, 1776 with the final signature–that of Thomas McKean (Del.)–added in 1781. The original document was housed in the Library of Congress in Washington, from 1921 until 1952 when it was moved to the nearby National Archives Building where it remains on display.
As a segment of Great Britton ironically likewise recently declared its independence, we too, as individuals must at some point declare our independence–from various people, places, situations and mindsets that stunt our physical, psychological and/or spiritual growth. There are many such habits of which we commonly hear, “I can quit any time I choose.” There are also people in various stages of our lives on whom we temporarily depend from whom we at some point should declare our independence.
In the Baha’i Holy Writings we find: “The aim of the true teacher is to fit the pupil to do without a teacher; to see things with their own eyes, hear with their own ears and understand with their own mind.” The aim of the true parent, then (the child’s first teacher), should be to fit the child to become prosperously independent of them.
Even so in the childhood of mankind, the priest (or other spiritual leader) is necessary. But their real mission is to enable man to see things divine with their own eyes, hear them with their own ears and understand with their own minds.” Then only can spiritual solutions be applied to earthly problems. War has never been nor can ever be the answer!
Today the work of priests and other spiritual leaders should be nearing accomplishment and the aim of the Baha’i Holy Teachings is to complete that task: to make men independent of all save God so that they can turn directly to Him (only through His respective Manifestations)! When all turn to one Center then there can be no cross-purposes or confusion. The nearer all draw to that Center the nearer we will draw to each other.”
As I retreated to the sanctuary of my home at the end of this Fourth of July, I was mesmerized by the sounds of music on Public Radio as the Negro National Anthem was being performed as I had never witnessed in my entire lifetime – by a Boston Pops Choral! It sent chills down my spine likened only to those experienced on one special excursion while pausing at the base of the giant Lady Liberty standing proudly in New York Harbor and reading before my tearful eyes her message: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Donald Trump, you need to experience it!
