We at Log College Press wish you all a very Happy Independence Day! Each year we mark not only the American civil holiday (which W.B. Sprague once said "ought to be observed religiously!"), but it is also the birthday of Log College Press, founded on this day, July 4, 2017.
These are some of the previous blog posts that we have published in honor of the occasion:
July 4, 2024 — "The Cause of Liberty, United With That of Truth & Righteousness, is the Cause of God"
July 4, 2023 — America’s Debt to Calvinism
July 4, 2022 — Fourth of July Celebration at Log College Press
July 4, 2021 — American Independence and Presbyterians
July 4, 2020 — W.P. Breed: Presbyterians and the Revolution
July 4, 2019 — Freedom’s Cost
July 4, 2018 — American Presbyterians Wish You a Happy Independence Day!
This year we wish to highlight a Fourth of July sermon preached by Ezra Stiles Ely, The Duty of Christian Freemen to Elect Christian Rulers: A Discourse Delivered on the Fourth of July, 1827, in the Seventh Presbyterian Church, in Philadelphia. The American nation was just over 50 years old at that time; and almost 200 years have now elapsed since Ely wrote these words:
Let it then be distinctly stated and fearlessly maintained IN THE FIRST PLACE, that every member of this Christian nation, from the highest to the lowest, ought to serve the Lord with fear, and yield his sincere homage to the Son of God. Every ruler should be an avowed and a sincere friend of Christianity. He should know and believe the doctrines of our holy religion, and act in conformity with its precepts. This he ought to do; because as a man he is required to serve the Lord; and as a public ruler he is called upon by divine authority to 'kiss the Son.' The commandment contained in Proverbs iii. 6. 'in all thy ways acknowledge him,' includes public as well as private ways, and political no less than domestic ways. It is addressed equally to the man who rules, and to the person who is subject to authority. If we may not disown our God and Saviour in any situation, it will follow that we are to own him in every situation. Infinite wisdom has taught us, that he who ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. No Christian can gainsay this decision. Let all then admit, that our civil rulers ought to act a religious part in all the relations which they sustain.
This counsel of Ely from the words of Scripture runs against the grain of the American consciousness, but as he reminds us, "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 144:15).
Words to reflect on this American Independence Day. Meanwhile, we wish all a very happy and safe holiday! Thank you all for your interest in and support of the work that we do. Blessings!