p. 32 | True Liberty and the Fourth of July by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1907

True Liberty and the Fourth of July

By Editor

It will be noticed that this issue of the REVIEW AND HERALD bears date of July 4, the one hundred and thirty-first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The REVIEW believes in the principles of liberty and equality set forth in that memorable document. It believes also in the fundamental governing principles set forth in the Constitution of the nation, and would be glad if it could know that in every State and Territory, in every city and hamlet, those principles were prized and maintained, and the names of the men who enunciated them kept fresh in the memories of all. It was designed by the founders of this nation that the Fourth of July should be a perpetual reminder to the people of this country of the liberty of body and conscience purchased by a long and painful struggle. And that is well. But at the same time let us not forget that other and grander liberty—the liberty of the soul from the thraldom of sin—purchased by the sacrifice of the very Son of God. The world has, in large measure, forgotten that, even as this country has, in large measure, forgotten and turned aside from the principles that made it a nation, and turned toward it the eyes of oppressed peoples in other lands. Back to that fast-fading Bill of Rights—the equality of men—if we would have freedom from human oppression in matters pertaining to temporal rights and the rights of conscience; and back to the Man of Calvary if we would have soul liberty—freedom from sin.