The Statue of Liberty

       “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. Standing in New York Harbor is the imposing Statue of Liberty. The copper-clad statue which is 305 feet high, represents freedom and democracy.

        “Lady Liberty” was a gift to the United States from the people of France. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, to commemorate the centennial of the United States Independence.

        Four million people pay $25.50 to tour the Statue of Liberty every year. Children 4 and under are free. The ferry ride to the 60 acres Island takes 15-20 minutes. 

        The statue took nine years to build. It arrived from France by the French steamer Isere in crates holding the disassembled statue on board. The statue is a classically draped woman inspired by the Roman goddess of Liberty, Libertas. 

        Clad in gold she holds a torch, in her right hand and in her left hand a tablet inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776). The integral metal framework was made by Gustave Eiffel, who also built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

        She is postured with her left foot on a broken chain and shackle commemorating the national abolition of slavery. 

        Liberty is not only to be loved, but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. It is to be respected and enjoyed.  

        Liberty is not a license to do what we want. It is the responsibility to live within established limits.. Operating within these expansive rights there is freedom. Our loving Lord offers His guidance to live happily within the restrictive limits of liberty.

        Thomas Jefferson noted: “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure, when we have removed their only firm basis — the conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?” 

        E. Stanley Jones observed, “If we lose our sense of being led, we become victims of circumstances.”

        “Look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him, everything else…” wrote C. S. Lewis.

        The framers of our Declaration of Independence left us the legacy of these lines: “With firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

        “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near…” (Isaiah 55:6). This is the sure way to find and enjoy liberty.