Did an Angel Assist the Founding Fathers?

This story was told by Ronald Reagan before he became president. Then Reagan told the story again in Parade Magazine in an article entitled, “What July 4th Means to Me.” on June of 1981.

“On July 4, 1776, in the Old State House in Philadelphia, a group of patriotic men were gathered for the solemn purpose of proclaiming the liberty of the American Colonies. It is well to remember that if the Revolutionary War failed, every man who had signed the parchment would be subject to the penalty of death for high treason. It should also be remembered that the delegates were not entirely of one mind as to the policies of the new nation.

There were several speeches. Jefferson expressed himself with great vigor; and John Adams spoke with great strength. Dr Benjamin Franklin, quiet and calm as usual, spoke his mind with well-chosen words. The delegates hovered between sympathy and uncertainty as the long hours of the summer day crept by, for life is sweet when there is danger of losing it. The lower doors were locked, and a guard was posted to prevent interruption.

According to Jefferson, it was late in the afternoon before the delegates gathered their courage to the sticking point. The talk was about axes, scaffolds and the gibbet, when suddenly a strong, bold voice sounded:

‘Gibbet! They may stretch our necks on all the gibbets in the land. They may turn every rock into a scaffold; every tree into a gallows; every hole into a grave, and yet, the words of that parchment can never die! They may pour our blood on thousand scaffolds, and yet, from every drop that dies the ax, a new champion of freedom will spring into birth. The British king may blot out the stars of God from the sky, but he cannot blot out his words written on that parchment there. The works of God may perish, his words, never!

The words of this declaration will live in the world long after our bones are dust. To the mechanic is his workshop they will speak hope; to the slaves in the mines, freedom; to the coward kings, these words will speak in tones of warning they cannot choose but hear...

Sign that parchment! Sign, if the next moment the gibbet’s rope is about your neck! Sign, if the next minute this hall rings with the clash of falling axes! Sign by all your hopes in death or life, as men, as husbands, as fathers, brothers, sign your names to the parchment or be accursed forever! Sign, and not only for yourselves, but for all ages. For that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the Bible of the rights of man forever.

Nay do not start and whisper with surprise. It is truth. Your own hearts witness it. God proclaims it. Look at this strange band of exiles and outcasts. Suddenly transformed into a people, a handful of men, weak in arms, but mighty in God, like faith, nay, look at your recent achievements, your Bunker Hill, your Lexington, and then tell me if you can that God has not given America to be free!’…

?The Unknown speaker fell exhausted into his seat. The delegates, carried away by his enthusiasm, rushed forward. John Hancock scarcely had time to pen his bold signature before the quill was grasped by another. It was done. The delegates turned to express their gratitude to the unknown speaker for his elegant words. He was not there.

Who was this strange man who seemed to speak with the divine authority, whose solemn words gave courage to the doubters and sealed the destiny of the new nation? His name is not recorded. None of those present knew him, or if they did not one acknowledge the acquaintance. How he had entered the locked and guarded room is not told, nor is there any record of the manner of his departure. No one claimed to have seen him before or after that day.”

May we always celebrate the sacred gift of freedom that is ours today.

Happy July 4th!!

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