HOW DO WE KEEP THE FAITH?

I have finished almost everything I have written or said the past two years with the words "Keep the Faith."  As we pause once again to celebrate our Independence, I want to explain what I mean; what I am asking of you.  What is this faith of which I speak?  How is it kept?  Webster's   seems a good place to start.  Faith is allegiance, fidelity, belief, trust, confidence, and conviction.  We keep something by being faithful to it, by watching over and defending it, by taking care of it.

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence.  As Representatives of the good People of the Colonies, they looked to the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God to find the self-evident truth that unalienable Rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness came from their Creator, not from men or governments.  They appealed to the Supreme Judge of the world to rectify their intention to protect those rights.  And as proof of their determination, they pledged to each other their Lives, Fortunes and sacred Honor.  Take five minutes now and re-read what they wrote. Then, even more important, read it to someone else.  These men had great faith in God, in truth, in the People, and in each other.  Think for a moment about what their faith enabled them to accomplish.

Theirs is the faith of which I speak.  Watch over it, take care of it.  May God bless the United States of America in this, the two hundred thirty fifth year of our Independence.