Not surprisingly, this month I want to focus on the topic of the Fourth of July.  We all know the American Independence Day by its date,  “Fourth of July” is synonymous with “Independence Day.”  A little research on Wikipedia, however, indicates that we just as easily could celebrate the Second of July because the vote for legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, 1776.  After voting for independence Congress looked to a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson to finalize a statement explaining the decision.  That statement, of course, is the Declaration of Independence which, after debate and revision, was finalized and signed on July 4, 1776.  Prior to its finalization, John Adams sent a letter to his wife Abigail predicting the future remembrance of July 2^nd.  He wrote:

            “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of  America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

            John Adams was right about the significance that Americans would accord to their act of declaring independence, but he was off on the date.  It speaks to the incredible power of the writing in the Declaration of Independence that the date of its signing is remembered as the important date.  Had the former colonists sent only a brief memo to the king, perhaps we would celebrate July 2^nd.

            Masons carry on the traditions of the founding fathers of this country in that we believe that we should live and act in accordance with great ideals.  I think that anyone interested in the teachings of Masonry will find tremendous satisfaction in studying the lives and beliefs of the American founders.  I recently read a bestselling biography about a great mason and founding father of this country.  The book, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, by Walter Isaacson, has inspired me to want to learn more about the thoughts and lives of our founding fathers.  It helps put both the American experience and Masonic experience into perspective.

            I hope that each of you will find the time for some inspiring summer reading.

Fraternally,