ACH Study Groups

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 18, 2013

This is a letter to our friends -

Free at last!

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 18, 2013

This is a letter to our friends -

Is there a flag in your sanctuary?

O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa, have long expelled her. – Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.

[Thomas Paine 1737 – 1809]

Thomas Paine wrote those words when it was an easy thing for the monarch to order his arrest. His security rested in his presence in America, surrounded by others also, “daring to stand forth.” Something unique in human history was taking place!

Wars, oppression, evil darkness, was shrouding the globe. Men who understood that they were placed on earth to live free, were recapturing their individual sovereignty and preparing to create a society that would “stand forth” in unity to preserve and protect their individual God-granted “life, liberty & property”.

Today, our globe is again shrouded with wars, oppression and evil darkness! Again, freedom is being driven out wherever it raises its head. In America, our individual sovereignty has been eroding from within for several generations.

Today, our hearts yearn for those who will “stand forth” upon their God-granted sovereignty and refuse to comply with further erosion. Our corporate society’s vertical relationship with God will, and always has, determined our horizontal relationship with one another, civil-government. All over the world, people are praying that the American torch of liberty will again burn bright.

Will our churches once again honor that flame which once led them to inspire the creation of a nation of free men? Is there an American flag in your sanctuary to honor the God-given civil authority that protects the sovereignty of your church under God?

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, … , and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

[Hebrews 4:12-13]

When a storm or a hurricane causes damage it is called “an act of God.” Civil-government rushes in to pay for the damage. What does that say about government’s self-image? It is human nature to want more power in order to “govern” better. How much more power? “Just a little bit more!”

With technology, we have discovered that it is possible to collect limitless information about every American, from the cradle to the grave – and store / recall that information indefinitely.

We have discovered that every phone call, text, online picture, even the face of every envelope are subjects for that giant database in Utah. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him who has the proper governmental credentials – or connections.

“Choose you this day – whom you will serve!”

[Joshua 24:15]

With increasing boldness, the last three generations have been fed a steady diet of the “irrelevance of God.” No longer are we aware that He is watching, even when we are alone. Is it any wonder that our classrooms lack discipline and respect?

It is a law of nature: As self-government weakens, external government grows. If a society will not govern itself – it WILL BE governed by a tyranny (rule of one), or an oligarchy (rule of a few). (Anarchy, the third alternative, is unstable.)

American society has chosen to separate its collective soul, its daily choices, from its spirit, its life. We are sleep-walking, wandering in a virtual dream world.

Those safeguards which have protected and preserved us for two centuries are now in the corrupt hands of men apparently addicted to ever more power, with an open disregard of those safeguards of our individual and corporate liberty under God.

Both God and “big brother” are watching. Which will you serve?

Each of them wants your obedience. One will lead you to slavery. The other will lead you to liberty. One will intimidate, extort, destroy you with his knowledge of your sins, all men are sinners. The other offers peace and forgiveness in exchange for repentance and submission to His law of liberty.

It is time for every American, each of us, to consider carefully –

· Am I a free man, humble before God and sovereign over my government?

· Am I giving lip-service to God and surrendering my sovereignty to government?

I hope this paper is circulated

P.S. This just arrived in our inbox. Interested? Call me –

Regarding the ACH Study Groups online Course, “Principals of American Government”

This course has elevated my understanding of what it means to be an American Christian in the 21st century like nothing else I have ever encountered. I am utterly ashamed of wasting so much time seeking to satisfy my own passions and appetites prior to taking this course–in fact, being ruled by a tyrant within. Today my heart yearns to intercede for this country; that the Lord would fan the flame as He raises up beacons of light in His people; to find individuals who are willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ at this time in America’s Christian history that He has placed us in for His purposes… If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The Lord showed me glimpses of His glory in the beginning of this course, while learning the principles, I met some incredible role models from our past who lived in an age when the nation was being formed on Godly principles, and now, in the last phase, the lessons learned are becoming my own, as I learn how to communicate and apply this wealth of information. (Today’s assignment is to read through the Declaration of Independence and relate each point in the body of the Declaration to the 7 principles learned.) I am eternally grateful for the Lord’s hand in guiding me to Mr. Gilmore and the Principles of America’s Government course as I have acquired a clearer understanding of my purpose in His plan for our country as I have come to know my savior’s ways and acts more intimately.

God bless you,

Cindy S.

A homeschooling mom

Further – “effects” as used above, is defined by Webster in 1828 (i.e. contemporary with the drafting of the amendment) –

“… … 8. In the plural, effects are goods; movables, personal estate. The people escaped from the town with their effects,” (emphasis is mine)

The wisdom of the founders is shown here. They knew nothing of e-mail, cell phones, online pictures and the like. All that is included in “effects”.

Now we are beginning to hear of secret court rulings that the Administration has violated the 4th Amendment with its sweep of all the electronic data available on virtually every American citizen!

We are being told, “Nothing to see here.”, “This is done for your protection.”, “Trust us, we are working for you.” This view I repudiate. Either we are a nation of laws, or we are not. Either we are free men who have created a civil-government to protect and preserve our individual liberty, operating WITHIN THE LIMITS we have designated in OUR CONSTITUTION, or we have become “subjects” of that Administration.

Some say, we are experiencing a “silent coup”.

A coup d’état …, also known as a coup, a putsch, or an overthrow, is the sudden deposition of a government, … usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to depose the extant government and replace it with another body, civil or military. A coup d’état is considered successful when the usurpers establish their dominance. When the coup neither fails completely nor succeeds, a civil war is a likely consequence. [Wikipedia]

It would not appear (today) that the U.S. Military force is actively involved. – but – Recent news stories about the addition of thousands of employees within government agencies (i.e. bureaucrats) DHS, IRS, EPA, etc., coupled with vast purchases of arms and ammunition for them, is disturbing!

Should such events be occurring, it is reasonable to expect the Administration to move to stifle citizen communication (radio talk shows, internet communication e-mail and the like) in an effort to prevent unified push back. Our money will be useless. Our focus will shift to personal survival. Our state National Guard (originally called “state militias”) will be overwhelmed by armed bureaucrats and anarchical mobs. Lawlessness will prevail for a time.

Not a pretty picture! Patrick Henry (1736 – 1799) has some advice for us —

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. [2nd Virginia Convention, March 20, 1775, at Richmond--in what is now called St. John's Church]

The present danger to our peace and security is NOT from overseas. It is within. “Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.”

What are “those means”? England had dissolved all contracts between the colonists in North America and the “mother country”. American colonists were now without a government, standing firm upon their understanding that men were to be free and independent under their Creator. True: There were differences and objectors, as there must always be. Those who unified around Biblical principles of government prevailed. They went on to create a civil structure that stunned and encouraged the rest of the world.

Those principles are still valid and available to each of us. Acting within those principles – in humble submission to the God of heaven’s armies, we have nothing to fear but ignorance and apathy!

My passion is to share “Principles of American Government”. The next online course begins on September 9th. If several wish to make a summer class, please phone right away.

Let us join one of our “founding fathers” – Patrick Henry

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Law without liberty is slavery.

Liberty without law is anarchy.

Liberty with law is Christianity!

Words mean things. What is “Christianity”?

C̵HRISTIAN´ITY, n. …

The religion of christians; or the system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ, and recorded by the evangelists and apostles.

Whilst politicians are disputing about monarchies, aristocracies, and republics, christianity is alike applicable, useful and friendly to them all. [Paley]

[Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary] (emphasis is mine)

Thus – “Liberty with law is, ‘the system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ, and recorded by the evangelists and apostles.’”

“Christianity” is not found in the Bible – However: “Christian” appears twice –

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian’. [Acts 26:28]

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. [1 Peter 4:16]

In both Biblical references, “Christian” is associated with the choice to be governed by the teachings of Christ.

NOTE – The only alternatives to being governed by the teachings of Christ are slavery (external rule by another man), or anarchy (internal rule by your own will and appetite). In either case you will be ruled by a tyrant!

In my last column, “The third leg”, I opined that whereas the Colonial American church was aflame with the concept of liberty under God, today’s American churches are ignorant, even hostile, to Biblical principles of government.

Christ taught us to love God (vertical) and love our neighbor (horizontal) as the whole essence of Biblical law. [Matthew 22:37-39] Liberty rests upon family-, church-, and civil-government (direction, regulation, control, restraint) as taught by Christ.

HOWEVER – “Liberty” is NOT “license”. That is why Colonial churches taught “Liberty under God”. It was not lawless freedom to run wild. Human nature is ever at war with what is right! The American war for Independence was won by people who honored chrstian principles. Later the French Revolution, also focused upon individual liberty, neglected the limits of Christian principles. It ended in a blood bath.

I yearn to see America’s churches alive with a message that includes Christian liberty. Their ignorance and apathy toward creeping socialism in their homes, churches and government is producing sheep that are governed by wolves!

Some will object that the church must focus upon “salvation” (turning from rebellion, to conformity with God’s law of liberty). “Loving God and loving neighbors” is more than a heavenly insurance policy!

Will teaching “liberty under God” be well received by individuals? Yes indeed. Will it be welcomed by civil authority? Not at all. Civil and Church authority nailed Christ to a cross! England did her best to compel American submission. Today’s news shouts about the same conflict.

What about “Liberty under God” added to the Christian missionary message overseas? I suspect it would resonate and perhaps overturn many tyrants. On the other hand —

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.” [1 Peter 4:16]

— Is Christian liberty worth the price? It was to Peter!

God seems to deal in 3’s; Solid, liquid, gas; body, soul, spirit; mind, will, intellect; Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

One of my mentors often pointed out that a 2-legged stool will not stand. Always look for the third leg. I find only three human organizations in the Bible, recognized by God and through which He deals: Family, Church, State.

The building block of every human society is the Family. Every human society develops a corporate concept of a higher power (a god, or God). In turn, that concept will always determine the relationships within the society.

We call the vertical relationship of families with that higher power, “Church.” We call the horizontal relationship of families with families, “State” or “Civil-Government.”

Attached to this post is a time line documenting the source of events that led to the founding of the first civil government in human history specifically designed to enhance Biblical principles of government.

“Religion in America takes no direct part in the government of society, but it must nevertheless be regarded as the foremost of political institutions of that country; … it facilitates the use of free institutions. Indeed, it is in this same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief … I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or to a party, but it belongs to the whole of the nation … “

[Alexis De Tocqueville “Democracy in America” 1835]

De Tocqueville was a Frenchman who traveled America to discover what was happening.

American pulpits featured three kinds of special sermons; Fast-Day sermons, Artillery sermons, and Election sermons.

In times of distress a community would be called to fast and pray. Pastors would preach on the Biblical source of, and the Biblical response to, the distress at hand.

Artillery sermons were preached to military groups, presenting the Biblical authority for their military service and to the citizens regarding their responsibilities.

Election sermons were preached to newly elected politicians, seated in the front row of a worship service. They were taught the Biblical authority and limits of the office to which they had been elected by the people.

Sermons by the thousands are easily available from that period. They document what the man in the pew was being taught. — Men were placed upon the earth by God. They were entitled to Life, the Liberty to sustain that life, and the Property necessary for that sustenance.

The world had been through eons of trial and error. Concepts of government (i.e. how people in a society were to get along with one another) had risen and fallen. Asia hosted the Egyptian, Medo-Persian, Oriental civilizations.

Alexander the Great introduced Greek civilization and language across much of the Mediterranean area and down toward India. Then Rome rose up and incorporated Greece and Europe along with the British Isles.

In the midst of all that was the advent of Christ. The seed of individual self-worth began germinating, The Bible was translated into common language. Men wanted to read God’s word and suddenly literacy exploded on society.

Great thinkers like Wycliffe, Luther, Locke, Montesquieu, Whitfield, Blackstone began to relate common sense (observation & reason) with Biblical principles – “The Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”. Literacy enhanced the Industrial Revolution. Printing Presses produced books and pamphlets.

In America, born free of those eons of tyranny and oppression, the seeds of God-given liberty took root. The Colonial churches were ablaze with Christ-centered liberty and justice for all men. They produced and supported the great men who formed our nation. It was a government the man in the pew was trained to understand and support.

Today, it appears to me, the American church teaches Biblical concepts of family and church government. They appear ignorant, even hostile, toward Biblical principles of civil-government – the third leg of Biblical society. It was our Lord Jesus Christ Himself who said the whole of Biblical law rests in loving God and one another (vertical and horizontal).

If we are to survive — If we are ever to regain the God-given Liberty that once was America — I believe it must be founded upon individual and corporate acknowledgement of God as sovereign, and our obligation to live within the laws He has set for our happiness and prosperity. If God be sovereign, civil-government is not! Rather – Civil-government was created by free men to protect our liberty under God. Our Constitution sets limits on government, NOT Americans.

Let it begin with me. Let it begin with you. Let us restore the third leg to our Christian message. God created men to be at liberty to honor and obey Him. Let our churches once again be filled with the fires of Liberty under God!

Downloadable File: Time Line Bible & Leaders

1. A violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party. This passion however varies in degrees of violence, and in ingenuous minds, may be attended only with a desire to reprove or chide the offender.

Anger is also excited by an injury offered to a relation, friend or party to which one is attached; and some degrees of it may be excited by cruelty, injustice or oppression offered to those with whom one has no immediate connection, or even to the community of which one is a member. Nor is it unusual to see something of this passion roused by gross absurdities in others, especially in controversy or discussion. Anger may be inflamed till it rises to rage and a temporary delirium. [Noah Webster’s “Dictionary …” 1828]

The word is used only once in the four gospels: Jesus was in the synagogue (church meeting), He, “looked … on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, …”

[Mark 3:5]

Anger is evidently one of the “passions” in the tool-kit we were given with our human nature. REMEMBER – Nothing exists that is not governed by God-given limits (laws). That includes our anger! “Be angry, and sin not, let not the sun go down on your wrath.”

[Ephesians 4:26]

My last column, “2013-05-03 Truth” was misnamed. It was to have been “… Fear” to go with this column “… Anger.” Fear and Anger are the major weapons your enemies will use against you. Both are paper-tigers IF you stay within the God-given limits.

God does not give you a spirit of fear. Thus you are free to rebuke it when it tries to rise up.

On the other hand, there is evidently a time for righteous anger. – BUT — Webster (above) points out the temptation to overstep the God-given limit on anger, “usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party.”

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.”

[Romans 12:19]

For example: You find yourself with a group of people supporting truth and justice. An angry individual approaches you as if to do harm. You rebuke fear and call his bluff (else use self-defense if he is not bluffing). Next he may use foul language, shouts, and other tactics, tempting you to express anger. Succumb to anger and you have lost control of the situation.

Are either of these responses easy? No, not at all. That is the purpose of these columns. I hope they prompt you to consider carefully how you will respond.

The next time fear rises. Rebuke fear. Keep your head. My dear friend Loren Cunningham, often taught, “Learn to respond in the opposite spirit.” Thus – When you are faced with anger, respond with peace.

If you contemplate and think through such things in advance, you will be better prepared to govern your reactions. Further – If you fail, use it as a learning experience to be better prepared the next time.

William Bradford, a leader of the American Pilgrim settlement in 1620 wrote, “All great and

honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be enterprised and

overcome with answerable courages.”

I believe most Americans would do well to prepare themselves for a few “great and

honorable actions!”

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power,

and of love, and of a sound mind

[II Timothy 1:7]

It has been my honor to write these columns since August 3, 1981 (32 years). Theme topics have, I trust, aimed at presenting sound principles upon which to evaluate our choices and govern out actions.

Our founders were correct in their belief that America could never be brought down by external forces. Rather, they warned, our vulnerability was from “within.” It is wrong to say, “America is a Christian nation because it was formed by Christians.” It is right to say, ”America is a Christian nation because it has a Christian form.”

“In proportion as Americans let go of faith in the absolute power of God,

they have accepted the belief in an all powerful State.”

[Verna M. Hall, “Christian History of the Constitution …” 1960]

Human history is full of examples where groups and nations found themselves in “darkness” (i.e. graft, treason, greed, lies, corruption of all sorts). Many of those examples have joyous conclusions as pockets of people humbly confessed the darkness and turned back to the laws of nature and of nature’s God.

Such darkness is spreading across America faster and faster. Truth is fighting to the surface as it always does. News of Benghazi treason, supplying guns to Mexican drug lords and muslim brotherhood thugs, IRS intimidation of patriotic groups – Things are piling up to the point that more and more folks are saying, “ENOUGH!” There is internet monitoring – I will be embarrassed if my name is left off their list!

All that to say this – Evil people misuse power in an effort to control by fear.

· An “angry” mob seeks to intimidate with threats of violence. Keeping your cool confuses them.

· A bureaucratic agency threatens financial ruin. Doing what is right because it is right often faces them down.

· Police authority knocks to confiscate your firearms. Refusing to comply earns your day in court.

If you understand that your life, liberty and property are gifts from God – what have you to fear? Your choice is liberty under God, or slavery under men. That’s a no-brainer choice!

God has given you a “spirit of power”. [2Tim 1:7 above] If Power is flowing from within you then stand firm in it. Rebuke fear!

God has given you a “spirit of love”. [2Tim 1:7 above] If Love is flowing from within you then get your focus off of yourself and begin desiring the best for others! Rebuke fear!

God has given you a “spirit of a sound mind”. [2Tim 1:7 above] Observation and Reason are associated with your mind. Use it or lose it. Rebuke fear!

Nothing so confuses the enemy as a group of Christians rejoicing over the victory BEFORE the battle has begun!

Major news coverage and analysis is shameful. I offer my notes on the “Glen Beck Program” in contrast – 5PM ET May 9 (the day after the Benghazi Congressional hearings. —

Lead item – Did an Imam really use Arabic prayer to covertly damn fallen Seal Team 6 members to hell during their memorial service? Military – NOT families – scheduled the Imam. More follows. GB program had video and audio of prayer. NOTE – No press coverage.

Benghazi hearings -

What we learned:

· Eye witness, Greg Hicks, who had informed State Dept. of “Terrorist attack that he (Hicks) received a 2AM call from Hillary Clinton to evacuate.

· Support teams were ordered to stand down – while the attack was in progress.

· Video you-tube story was a lie.

· Witness, Greg Hicks, intimidated and demoted after questioning U.N. Amb. Susan Rice’s talking points.

· Hillary Clinton’s lawyers told witnesses not to speak to House investigators.

· There was advance warning that an attack on Benghazi was imminent.

· All the men and women who serve this country are brave and courageous people and should watch their back!

Note- the witnesses were under oath.

The question is – “Does the Benghazi story really matter?”

Sit down with your family tonight and ask these questions:

· Does it matter that the President lies?

1. How about your boss lies?

2. Your bank lies?

3. Your police lie?

4. Your children? – your parents?

5. Why does it matter?

· What happens when you can no longer trust others?

· Who do you trust?

The Benghazi story is filled with heroism, immense tragedy, deception, cover ups, intimidation, retaliation at the highest levels of our government!

Does Benghazi matter to you?

Whire House

Lied:

• “No one told to stand down” is a lie.
• President blamed American people and their Freedom over Islamists.
• Abandoned men in fire fight.
• Sent you-tube man to jail for cover
• Cover up purpose:

1. Further Election agenda
2. Further Moslem Brotherhood agenda

State Department

Lied:

• Changed Talking Points.
• Left co-workers to die.
• Left co-workers unprotected.
• Lied to allies, the world, co-workers, and you,
• Cover up purpose:

1. Further Election agenda
2. Further Moslem Brotherhood agenda

Media

Lied:

• Smeared.
• Destroyed.
• Covered for Admin & State
• And are still doing it.

Military

• Remained Silent.

Items 1 & 2 are logical conclusions. The bullet points are supported by sworn testimony and public events.

This represents a fundamental change of American culture! This can not stand, or we have nothing left!

How the media covered the hearings – 11:36 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Blaze carried the hearings until 5 a few minutes were left.

Fox News – 108 minutes of coverage.

CNN – 17 minutes

MSNBC – zero minutes!

At 2PM all the networks cut away for the Jody Areias trial!

Question – How does the Areias story compare with our President lying about the death of an Ambassador and three Americans serving our country?

_________end of my program notes_________

There is an Islamic civil discord between Wahabi and Suni factions. If I understand correctly, the Suni faction is financed and tied to Saudi Arabia and the Muslam Brotherhood, while the Wahabi faction is associated with Iran and al Qadea. It appears to me that we have permitted America to become a pawn in the factions’ battle for power. America appears to have sided with the Suni faction and Ambassador Stevens appears to have been in Benghazi negotiating a ship load of arms salvaged from the Lybian conflict to depart for Turkey then the rebels in Syria.

Why do I associate my blog posts with all this?

In the past few weeks I have met several patriotic, truly dedicated individuals who have forsaken newspapers, TV or internet news and completely tuned out current events. We are to be “in the world, but not of the world”. God has given Americans a precious gift. Such people appear to me to be tacitly exchanging it for a mess of poisonous pottage.

It is reported that fewer church folk bothered to vote in 2012 than voted in Obama’s first race in 2008! Their votes would likely have changed the outcome. Human history proves that uninformed people will tacitly surrender their God given liberty to tyrants.

An informed America can NEVER be defeated. I suggest TheBlaze.com

Desta Garrett, a dear friend and American scholar and patriot sent me the following e-mail –

From decades ago, I’ve never forgotten this passage. I wanted to read it again and found it still marked with highlighter in my copy of the book. It is one of the best statements of "Christian self-government" I know of! So I thought to share this reminder of "liberty":

Passage from Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Ch.8 Fourth of July

(At their picnic celebration, The Declaration of Independence was read aloud, ending….)

"…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

No one cheered. It was more like a moment to say, "Amen." ….

Then Pa began to sing. All at once everyone was singing, "My country, ’tis of thee…."

The crowd was scattering away then, but Laura stood stock still. Suddenly she had a completely new thought. The Declaration and the song came together in her mind.

She thought: Americans won’t obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn’t anyone else who has a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself be good.

Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. "Our father’s God, author of liberty–" The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God’s law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free. …

[emphasis added]

What can anyone add to that!