This weekend we spent a lovely afternoon in Plymouth and acted like tourists. We saw the sights and took the harbor cruise which I highly recommend. As we were returning to the dock, we saw the Forefathers Memorial from the deck of the ship as it overlooks the city. After taking yet another look at Plymouth Rock, the statue of Massasoit and the statue of Governor William Bradford (one of Candace's ancestors), we took the short drive up to Memorial Park. This was the image that greeted me -- a memorial silhouetted against the sunset. The Lord is so gracious to us as He shows us the work of His hands painting the perfect backdrop for this moment. When you get a bit closer, you can see that the large figure that crowns the monument is Faith who is surrounded by statues representing Liberty, Morality, Education and Law. Candace and I were both amazed by this vision and understanding that Faith is the crowning achievement of our forefathers and it rests upon the virtues of liberty, morality, education and law. That it is not a thing apart, but the outcome. It is worth recognizing that liberty is not separated from morality, education and law. It is also compelling that these very American virtues are so intertwined.
Faith depends upon the liberty to follow your conscience; it is the outcome of a desire to know the truth (education); it is the fruit of a desire to live according to the truth (morality) and it learns from the law. Candace and I wondered if such a monument (this one was erected in the 1890's) could be built today or if political correctness would mute such a statement.
This memorial honors the Pilgrims and the faith that drove them to seek a new land where they might see the Gospel lived out. While it is a lovely thing to honor those brave men and women, we should not forget that the reward that they desired most was to hear these words when they passed on from this life ... Well done, good and faithful servant ...
Keep the faith
