Memorial Stones “And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:7c

July 4 th is a time to remember! God commanded Israel to establish a memorial of stones! July 4 th is a time to remember! God commanded Israel to establish a memorial of stones!

Joshua 4: 1-9 “And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from…

…here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them:

“Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them…

…that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” 8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst…

…of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood;

…and they are there to this day.” Joshua 4:1-9

Enos Hitchcock, A 1767 graduate of Harvard College, Hitchcock was a minister in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. He saw extensive action as chaplain during the Revolution. He spent much of 1778 with his brigade at Valley Forge. He received an M.A. from Yale and a D. D. from Brown University in 1788 Enos Hitchcock, A 1767 graduate of Harvard College, Hitchcock was a minister in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. He saw extensive action as chaplain during the Revolution. He spent much of 1778 with his brigade at Valley Forge. He received an M.A. from Yale and a D. D. from Brown University in 1788

July 4, 1793 Enos Hitchcock, a Congregationalist minister preaching in a Baptist house of worship July 4, 1793 Enos Hitchcock, a Congregationalist minister preaching in a Baptist house of worship

“May we ever show ourselves worthy of the blessings we enjoy, and never tarnish the bright lustre of this day, by any unbecoming excesses. Americans! think of the many privileges which distinguish your condition.

Be grateful for your lot; and let your virtue secure what your valour, under God, hath obtained; and transmit to latest posterity the glorious inheritance. May the political edifice erected on the theatre of this new world, afford a practical…

…lesson of liberty to mankind, and become in an eminent degree the model of that glorious temple of universal liberty which is about to be established over the civilized world.” Enos Hitchcock ( )

As Israel crossed over the Jordan River to establish itself as a Nation in Covenant with God they established a memorial of stones… …to remember! As Israel crossed over the Jordan River to establish itself as a Nation in Covenant with God they established a memorial of stones… …to remember!

What do these stones mean to you? A Memorial…forever!

On this July 4 th, 2013, here are a few stones to remember as a Nation!

The Declaration of Independence! “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that…

…among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government…

…becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most…

…likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” – Thomas Jefferson, ‘The Declaration of Independence’

Memorial Stones A Sense of the Holy “...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...” Memorial Stones A Sense of the Holy “...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...”

Diverse Group of Belief “Almighty God hath created the mind free. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion.” -- Thomas Jefferson

Memorial Stones A Healthy Suspicion of Power “...that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...” Memorial Stones A Healthy Suspicion of Power “...that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...”

Protestants in General and Baptists in Particular are Suspicious of Power!

Memorial Stones A Right to Respond to Tyranny “...that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...” Memorial Stones A Right to Respond to Tyranny “...that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” -- Thomas Jefferson

A Nation Truly Blessed! We do not worship our Country, its Leaders or even its Form, but we worship a God who has given us such Liberty! A Nation Truly Blessed! We do not worship our Country, its Leaders or even its Form, but we worship a God who has given us such Liberty!

Through…. …His Word! …His Son, Jesus! …His Grace & Mercy …His Providence!