Flawed Greatness…
April 9, 2021 by LauraH
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A very, very, very, very… wise Man once said, “Let any one of you who is without sin cast the 1st stone.” As was often the case, this Sage was addressing the situation at hand as well as the next 2000+ years of human history. Fast forward to today when we all feel as if we are in a constant state of ducking as stone after stone whizzes past our heads. Sometimes they are aimed at us… sometimes at the person next to us… sometimes at our favorite podcast host… sometimes at the history pages from 250 years ago. With this in mind, may I share a few inspirational words from one of those among us who was, like us all, flawed and with sin but, in moments of divine inspiration, lead with greatness as so many of our Founding Fathers did.
On March 4, 1797, John Adams, 2nd president of the United States, took up the mantle of George Washington and penned the words below as part of his Inaugural Speech. At such a pivotal moment in our countries history, with the transition from our 1st President to our 2nd, everything was on the line … freedom, democracy and our nation’s ability to continue grow and throw off any national “sins that so easily entangle”. What began with our Constitution would make a giant leap forward 100 years later and continue to progress for the 100 years after that. Listen to John Adams as he shares the passion of his heart for this country.
“… Employed in the service of my country abroad during the whole course of these transactions, I first saw the Constitution of the United States in a foreign country. Irritated by no literary altercation, animated by no public debate, heated by no party animosity, I read it with great satisfaction, as the result of good heads prompted by good hearts, as an experiment better adapted to the genius, character, situation, and relations of this nation and country than any which had ever been proposed or suggested. In its general principles and great outlines it was conformable to such a system of government as I had ever most esteemed, and in some States, my own native State in particular, had contributed to establish.
…With this great example before me, with the sense and spirit, the faith and honor, the duty and interest, of the same American people pledged to support the Constitution of the United States, I entertain no doubt of its continuance in all its energy, and my mind is prepared without hesitation to lay myself under the most solemn obligations to support it to the utmost of my power.
And may that Being who is supreme over all, the Patron of Order, the Fountain of Justice, and the Protector in all ages of the world of virtuous liberty, continue His blessing upon this nation and its Government and give it all possible success and duration consistent with the ends of His providence.”
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