JULY 4

     New Order of the Ages: "Novus Ordo Seclorum" on the Great Seal of the United States. He assents to, favors, smiles upon the undertakings, endeavors, beginnings: Annuit Coeptis also on the back side of the Great Seal. Over the "Eye of Providence" above the 13 steps of a pyramid with 1776 in Roman numerals at the base. (Why Roman numerals? The Romans followed the Greeks with a form of democracy I presume. Besides the mottos in Latin.) More accurate: "Providence favors (our) undertakings." "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God" was considered. The "coat of arms" of the US. First used in 1782. Kept by the Secretary of State. First put on the back of the $1 bill in 1935. (If you have a dollar bill from before 1935 you might want to hang onto it.)

     Franklin, Jefferson, Adams were charged by the First Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 to devise a seal as evidence of an independent nation and a free people with high aspirations and great hopes for the future just a few hours after adopting the Declaration of Independence. The seal was approved on June 20, 1782. (Had to win the war first I presume. Won in 1781. 1783 Treaty of Ghent.)

     On the front side of the seal is the eagle. Bald, naturally. A scroll in its mouth: "E Pluribus Unum". (Why Latin? For Latin language speaking peoples I presume. Europe, South America, etc.) "Out of many, one." (In late '70's I revised it to "Unimony" - "one in oneness", more or less. When I also came up with "ecomonics" - "out of togetherness, one." Yeah, I was smokin'. Who wasn't?) An olive branch ("peace") in the right talon, 13 arrows in the left (13 states). A shield with 13 red and white stripes covers our eagle from the breasts to the private parts. Symbolizes Americans rely on their own virtue. (How's yours? How is our collective virtue?) The blue background represents the President and Congress. The white is purity and innocence. (Our kids.) Red: hardiness and valor. (Our best efforts, sacrifice.) Blue also vigilance, perseverance, justice. (Brave, courageous and bold I remember the lyrics from Wyatt Earp TV show song.)

     The cloud above the eagle's head surrounds a blue field with 13 stars. A constellation. Denoted that a new State was taking its place among the world's nations. (Boy did it! God bless our forefathers and foremothers!)

     "Novus Ordo Seclorum" meant 1776 was the beginning of the American new era. (And boy O boy did we ever get rid of our American Natives and banish them to reservations. Should we talk about our national sins? Or just stay in present? Who wants to bring up Natives or slavery? Or original Mexicans/Spaniards? Watch how ye tread in head.)

    O yea, those stars above the eagle are formed as the star of David or "Solomon's Seal". We citizens of USA happen to be one of the 13 tribes of Israel (13 tribes, you say? Not 12? Read on, Pilgrim) well traveled after the 400s or 500s B.C. or so when our forefamilies were taken into captivity once again. Then got away again and took off through the Caucasus Mountains to wheresoever. (Um, that might be why some people are called Caucasian.)

     In 1780, a second committee - Lovell of Massachusetts, Morin and Houston of Virginia - developed a second design of the Seal. Also tabled by Congress. A 3rd committee appointed in May, 1782 employed the eagle for the first time. 3 designs were referred to the Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thompson. He made a 4th design that was revised by William Barton, a student of heraldry. And wala, the Seal was approved. And here we are.

     O yea, Manasseh's symbols are an olive branch and bundle of arrows. Manasseh was/is the 13th tribe of Israel. (Read the Bible, kids.) The Great Seal has 10 representations of 13. 16 drafts of the seal were made over 159 years from 1623. (Those pilgrims were a serious folk.) The final die was cut in 1935.

     Jefferson had the obverse side showing the Israelites being led by the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire, day and night. (Um, led by Moses out of Egypt for 40 years or so.) Franklin suggested the image of Pharaoh's army drowning in the Red Sea. The harp of David was in 3 early designs. The number of olives and leaves didn't settle on 13 until late 19th century. (Um, after the Civil War.)

     The obverse face is Israel in the Old Testament. The reverse face is our race under the New Covenant. The Seal symbolizes that America's greatest task is the eventual establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. It used all the emblems of ancient Israel. The Lord was/is as an eagle. Unsealed "Truth" borne by the eagle's beak illuminated the way of "the people saved by the Lord". Blessings and curses in the olive branch and arrows. The constellation of stars perpetual endurance. God himself swore by them.

     So. Pards. Are we working toward bringing the kingdom of God to earth? Are we feeling our forebearers' trevails and inspired wisdom? From the Revolution onward? Just look around at all that's been built in 238 years. Pretty amazing, huh? But. How about us? How are we bearing up? How are we living out our charge? Living up to our heritage? What are we handing on to our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren? Are we doing all we can?

     Can you imagine risking life and limb for Independence? Freedom? Liberty? Safety? The pursuit of Happiness? Family? A better Life? We've just witnessed again these last 13 years our brave ones stepping up to do just that. God bless them.

     O yea, the back of the $1 bill before 1935 just had a big "ONE" with "ONE DOLLAR" over it. So why 1935? (Coming out of the Depression I presume. Somebody was thinking.)

     So. Let's all rededicate ourselves to the United States of America. What say ye? Happy 4th of July.

    By the way, George Washington was the richest man in America at the time. Bill Gates for President. (See presidentfor16.blogspot.com.)

     IN GOD WE TRUST. Let's trust Him to get us out of this present stupid political quagmire and hatred of a president and discouragement in our country and get us back on the road to bringing His Kingdom to Earth.