As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, I thought it would be good to remember some words of final warning given to us by George Washington in his Farewell Address.
He spoke of the great care that needed to be taken to guard and preserve the unity of our government. He said that our collective and individual happiness was connected to our national Union. For that reason we should “indignantly frown upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.”
Washington warned about the danger of Parties because they would tend to place personal interest and Party interest above national Union.
But Paul warned us about personal and party interest destroying the unity of the church long before Washington spoke.
Of the importance of religion to our freedom, Washington wrote, “Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.“
Submitting to God is the only way to have true happiness and freedom.