Could you hear another Thanksgiving story? I believe this is a most important lesson that we can learn from His Story. One whose message the Spirit is whispering to us today…

As the Word of God began to be re-discovered in the 1300-1500’s, was written in the common man’s language and even put Providentially in his hands. From country to country, men began to read His Word to their little ones. In Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, he shares a story:

“This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants though the reign of Queen Mary, when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery. They had got an English Bible, and to conceal and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool.

“When my great-great-grandfather read it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his knees, turning over the leaves then under the tapes. One of the children stood at the door to give notice if he saw the apparitor coming, who was an officer of the spiritual court. In that case the stool was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible remained concealed under it as before.”(1)

These families had tried to reform the English Church and realized that it did not want to be reformed, so they separated out, hence we call them the Separatists. Still not being left alone to simply worship God and disciple their little ones, some of them pilgrimmed to Holland where Pastor John Robinson faithfully and diligently taught them Biblical principles of self and civil government. They rose above horrible circumstances at first to become prosperous in Holland and on good terms with the people there, who actually would employ the Pilgrims over their own people because of the faithfulness and dependable work ethic that they had learned and practiced.

But war was coming and they were losing their children to the culture. There were many difficulties that they overcame. They made an agreement in Leyden with Mr. Thomas Weston for their passage to America. “Those that were to go, prepared with all speed, and sold their estates, putting their money into the common stock, which was in charge of those who appointed to make the general provisions…

“But now another difficulty arose. Mr. Weston and some of his friends (either for their own advantage, or, as they pretended, to make further inducements for others to join them) insisted on altering some of the conditions that had been agreed upon at Leyden. To these alterations the two agents sent from Leyden (or at least one of them who is most to be blamed for it) consented, fearing that otherwise it would all be thrown up. They presumed to agree with the new terms, and some particulars overstepping their authority and commission, without giving due notice. Indeed, the fact that it was concealed for fear of any further delay, afterwards caused much trouble and contention.” (2)

Robert Cushman wrote a letter to those at Leyden:

“I understand by letters that have come to me, that many of you greatly dislike my proceedings… we should respect him that ventures both his money and his person, than him that ventures his person only… No one will be poor than his neighbor for seven years; and, from the nature of the enterprise, if any of us be rich, none of us can be poor… I say that He who is not content that his neighbor shall have as good a house, fare, means, etc., as himself, is not a good quality. Such secluded persons as have an eye only to themselves, our fitter to come where catching is, then closing; and are fitter to live alone, than in any society, either civil or religious… Look to it, brethren, you that make profit your main end; repent of this, or go not…”(3)

The Pilgrims to the merchants:

“And we of Holland had never seen any other agreement before our coming to Southampton, except for a private copy of changed conditions which reached us, and at which we manifested utter dislike; but having sold our estates and being ready to come, it was too late to give up the voyage. We beseech you, therefore, to judge impartially of things, and if a fault has been committed, lay it where it should be, and not upon us.”(4)

We know the story that the time for leaving was delayed and the Pilgrims’ Mayflower was blown off course, so they landed in the winter with scant supplies. Half of their number died within the first 2-3 months. Samoset and Squanto helped them. God kept them through many more challenges and setbacks for several years.

“So they began to consider how to raise more corn, and obtain a better crop than they had done, so that they might not continue to endure the misery of want. At length after much debate, the Governor, with the advice of the chief among them, allowed each man to plant corn for his own household, and to trust to themselves for that; and all other things to go on in the general way as before. So every family was assigned a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number with that in view, – For present purposes, only, and making no division for inheritance, – all boys and children being included under some family. This was very successful. It made all hands very industrious, so that much more corn was planted than otherwise would’ve been by any means the Governor or any other could devise, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better satisfaction. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to plant corn, while before they would alleged weakness and inability; and to have compelled them would have been thought, great tyranny and oppression.

“The failure of this experiment of communal service, which was tried for several years, and by good and honest men proves the emptiness of the theory of Plato and other ancients, applauded by some of later times, – that the taking away of private property, and the possession of it in community, by a commonwealth, would make a state happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For in this instance, community of property (so far as it went) was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment which would have been to the general benefit and comfort. For the young men who are most able and fit for service objected to be enforced to spend their time and strength and working for other men’s wives and children, without any recompense. The strong man or the resourceful man had no more share of food, clothes, etc., than the weak man who was not able to do a quarter the other could. This was thought injustice. The aged and graver men, who were ranked and equalized in labor, food, clothes, etc., with the humbler and younger ones, thought it some indignity and disrespect to them. As for men’s wives who were obliged to do service for other men, such as cooking, washing their clothes, etc., they considered it a kind of slavery, and many husbands would not brook it. This feature of it would have been worse still, if they had been men of an inferior class. If (it was thought) all were to share alike, and all were to do alike, then all were on an equality throughout, and one was as good as another; and so, if it did not actually abolish those very relations which God Himself has set among men, it did at least greatly diminish the mutual respect that is so important should be preserved amongst them. Let none argue that this is due to human failing, rather than to this communistic plan of life itself. I answer, seeing that all men have this failing in them, that God and his wisdom saw another plan of life was fitter for them…

“From these extremities, the Lord and His goodness kept these His people, and in their great need preserved both their lives and their health; let His name have the praise.”(5)

1. Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, JP Lippincott & Co.,Philadelphia, 1868, 5.
2. William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, Vision Forum, Inc., Bulverde, Texas, 1998, p 36-39.
3. ibid, p. 42-43.
4. ibid, p. 52.
5. ibid, p. 115-117.

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Reforming Christian Education by Dr. Brenda MacMenamin

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A2S1C7 Presidential Compensation  

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them. ~ A2S1C7

“Alexander Hamilton stated that the reason the President is prohibited from receiving any additional emolument from the United States or any individual state is so Congress ‘can neither weaken his fortitude by operating upon his necessities, nor corrupt his integrity by appealing to his avarice.’”(1)

Benjamin Franklin expressed these concerns very well, “Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it…

“There is scarce a king in an hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of Pharaoh, get first all the people’s money, then all their lands, and then make them and their children servants forever. It will be said that we don’t propose to establish kings. I know it; but there is a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government… 

“It may be imagined… that we could never find men to serve us in the executive department without paying them well for their services. I conceive this to be a mistake… The pleasure of doing good and serving their country, and the respect such conduct entitles them to, are sufficient motives.”(2)

This is why this clause ends in forbidding presidents from taking any additional emolument from the United States government or from any individual state government.

Father, help us to repent from the system of mammon, greed and covetousness to serve You once again, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!!

(1) Federalist 73

(2) Madison pp. 43-46

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I have learned many of these quotes from The Making of America by Cleon Skousen.    You may purchase it here.

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“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV

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