Yesterday, September 9, 1776 is a day that ought to be celebrated in our country but, to my knowledge, doesn’t receive any acknowledgement. Prior to this day, historical documents said used a particular phrase: United Colonies.
John Adams wrote Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies at the end of 1775. Fifteen times in these regulations, he referred to the United Colonies.1
The final words of the Declaration of Independence says, “ We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”2
In a letter from John Hancock to George Washington, Hancock decried the ways in which the soldiers had shamed themselves in Canada, calling for an inquiry. He stated that this inquiry was necessary for the “Honour of the United Colonies.”3
However, “on Monday, September 9, 1776, the Congress moved to approve some
important resolutions, including payments for the army. The fifth resolution read as follows: “That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words ‘United Colonies’ have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the “United States.”4 Our new name was official.
Charles Austin Miles (1868-1946), “born at Lakehurst, NJ, attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the University of PA. He became a pharmacist. He married Bertha H Haagen, and they had two sons: Charles and Russell. In 1892 he abandoned his pharmacy career and began writing gospel songs. At first, he furnished compositions to the Hall-Mack Publishing Company, but soon became editor and manager, where he worked for 37 years. He felt he was serving God better in the gospel song writing business, than as a pharmacist.”5 One of the hymns he is most familiar with tells us –
There’s a new name Written down in glory,
And it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine!
And the white-robed Angels sing the story,
“A sinner has come home.”
For there’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine!
With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,
Nevermore to roam.
A couple of applications can be made. First, Luke 10:20 says, “…but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” To have our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life means we are on the “guest list.” We get to go to Heaven because our names are written in that book.
But, as our nation received a new name, so also will the Christian. Revelation 2:17 says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Most Bible commentators are in agreement that this is a new name for the individual child of God, known only to them and the One who gave it to them. This is a reflection on the intimacy and specialness of our personal relationship to God through Jesus.
God is not indifferent nor impersonal. He desires that closeness to His children. As we have pet names for our loved ones and children, so God has a special name for each of us by which we are known to Him. One day, we will find out what that name is.
Till then, think about the words of John 10:3. “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
1https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-03-02-0076-0009
2https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/independenceday/text/declaration.html
3https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-05-02-0040
4https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/today-the-name-united-states-of-america-becomes-offici
5https://hymnary.org/person/Miles_CAustin
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