Articles
The American Revolution and Reform · June 03, 2006
By Hal Mayer
At the time of the American revolution, there was quite a debate going on about the form of government that the new nation should have. There were the federalists and the anti-federalists. The two sides were sometimes brutal in the way the spoke to, or about each other.
But underneath it all, there was another, more stirring argument. Would the principles of freedom enshrined in the republican government be extended to the slaves? Most realized that the debate could not come out in the open else it would jeopardize the fragile republic. But deep down they all knew that there was an underlying division because of slavery. James Madison commented that among the founding fathers of our nation, the divide was not the interests of the large states verses the small ones, but over the issue of slavery, north vs. south.
Those that believed that reform in regard to slavery was necessary, knew that they could not bring the issue to discussion because the majority of were not ready for it. They sense that they were part of a larger destiny which would eventually give rise to the reforms they thought necessary. So it was left to simmer, under the gradually increasing light shed by the principles of the free republic. The Bill of Rights only extended to the white man. The underlying question became more stark with each passing year.
Not until the approach of the civil war would national reform in regard to the question of slavery rise to the surface, and slavery eventually be abolished. It was the same surface argument between the federalists and the anti-federalists, with the undercurrent being the question of slavery. Even then, it was felt by many reformers that the Southern states weren’t ready for the reform. But someone had to take a stand! Someone had to lead out in reform. And that man, along with many others, was Abraham Lincoln.
If you think about it, no reform can happen without someone taking a stand. True there is timing. And reformers need to be careful not to run too quickly. But at the same time, unless they take a stand, the reforms would not be brought to light. No change would happen. True, those that take a stand are blamed for the ensuing conflict. But the result is necessary. How to know when the time is right, and when to take a stand is a spiritual discernment. Without the Holy Spirit, reformers can either stand too early, and lose the struggle; or they can stand too late, or never at all, and remain impotent.
But heroes are made of reformers who sacrifice their reputations, their assets, and some times even their lives, to press for reform at the right time. What a lesson! Here we are at the end of time. Can you think of any reforms that our people need! The issues are ripening. It’s time to take a stand for the truth, at the very moment when it is being trampled all around, in the fear of God, and with the sense of destiny.
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