Click below to listen to Bishop Jerry L. Ogles speak about the 4th of July, Independence Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT2hC42txEg
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Psalms 33:12 (KJB)
THE 4th OF JULY AND JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA
What comes to mind when we consider the 4th of July commemorating our founding as a nation under the terms of liberty heretofore unknown in all the annals of history? I hope it is not Bar-B-Que, or the over-indulging of food and drink. I hope there will be a personal and national concentration on those values that have made and preserved us a nation among the nations of the earth. Even our Liberty Bell that heralded the proclamation of Freedom with such great aplomb as to crack its casing. Regard, if you will, the biblical quote from Leviticus 25:10 engraved on the bell-head: “Proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (Leviticus 25:10)
In the years immediately following the Second World War, American patriotism was at its heights, and so was the national prestige of our country. Every town – large or small – celebrated Independence Day with fervent speeches and rousing parades of uniformed veterans and active duty military services. The music was what roused my passions most as a very young boy. That music was always chosen from the martial military music composed by John Phillip Sousa (1854 -1932). I believe that music had a role in sustaining that patriotic fervor over the years of our greatest achievement as a nation marching music such as Stars and Stripes Forever, Under the Double Eagle, King cotton, etc. How our breasts would swell with pride and inspiration as our father marched down the boulevard to notes of Sousa’s music – seldom heard in our day of musical vulgarity.
Sousa began his musical career as a U.S. Marine band member at the age of 14. He later led the great military bands of our nations, but primarily that of the U.S. Marine Corp.
I have heard it said that the great victories of Napoleon were influenced by the French anthem, “La Marseillaise” the lyrics of which we may find distasteful, but the score we find to be compelling to action. That may be true or not, however, I seriously believe the music of Sousa impacted our better angels with the spirit of pride and liberty in a nation whose national motto came to be “In God we Trust!”
The high notes of the flute played at one portion of the Stars and Stripes forever seem to cause our spirits to soar on high above the strife and battle fray of mundane considerations.
As usual from the time of my early training under the oversight of my patriotic soldier-father, I will concentrate on the price in blood and treasure that our freedoms cost our Fore-Fathers, and to listening to the rousing strains of the music of the wonderful Sousa compositions. I will also pray that the Lord will awaken our youth to the value of Liberty and the willingness to bear arms, if necessary, in its defense. Of course, apart from a trust in the Lord, there can be no free people.
May God preserve us a nation beholding to His Sovereignty and righteousness for, without His blessings, there can be no liberty and freedom.
In Christ Alone during Season of TRINITY,
† Jerry L. Ogles D.D.
Presiding Bishop.
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
