ON THE SEA OF FREEDOM

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Looking back into the fifties, my favorite high school teacher taught American History. He was a perfect gentleman. Although paralyzed from an old war injury which left him wheelchair dependent, he had superior upper arm strength. He could swing around and jump straight out of his wheelchair up onto his desk.

If you wanted to instantly fail his class, just call America’s war between the states the “Civil War.” To him it was the “War for Southern Independence.”

His favorite subjects centered on America’s faith-based founding documents from a Christian viewpoint. Once, he illustrated the Mayflower Compact in a classroom play where we each had an assigned role. This turned The Mayflower Compact into a real-life adventure for the students. For some unknown reason, I was given the leading role and the most lines to memorize.

What a feat this play was! I’ve never forgotten struggling through my part, to this very day. And now what do we have within today’s socialist school systems? Today’s progressive “woke” agendas. Our schools are graduating bunch of socialist, woke misfits, a good portion of whom can’t even read their high school graduation diplomas. What’s this world coming to? That's a rhetorical question, you get my drift.

Please read on. I have labeled this fictional parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) "ON THE SEA OF FREEDOM"

Surprisingly, I awoke today feeling rather spiffy for a change. A good time for this old professor of Christian Heritage to put the finishing touches on my next semester’s main lecture on “The Mayflower Compact, Then and Now.”

Moving forward, it looks like this next semester’s feature lecture may wind up my thirty-year tenure with Hillside Christian Academy College. So, this parting lecture must be my best work, going out. Before I get into its wrap-up, however, I’ll just take a short break and rest my weary old bones, but only after my usual morning snack of homemade chocolate chip cookies and good ole Southern sweet tea.
Turns out, my time was not my own. For some unexplained divinely directed reason, I was out like a light, sitting there in the man-cave in my duct-taped recliner. My dream world had again taken over.

I found myself all alone, walking down a serene beach. Why and for what, I really didn’t have a clue. I seemed to be carried away by all the surroundings, for I was beside myself.

Was it a dream, a vision or a carryover from semi-consciousness. I don't rightly know. I did know that I was just there, enjoying the calm scenery. Whatever the reason, I felt right at home in the relaxing spirit of it all.

That was until his arrival. I didn't notice, but he must have been walking alongside me for some time. Was he an old-fashioned sea captain, a wayward outcast, or maybe just a beach bum?

He was dressed the part of a 17th century Puritan Pilgrim, but wore a blue coat with red sleeves, a yellow vest and yellow pants, black buttoned shoes and a black hat to match. I remember reading somewhere that color was important for the Pilgrim, as it showed respect to others and helped identify friends and family members.

Saying not a word, he grabbed my arm and we found ourselves flying over the rough seas, to parts unknown. After what seemed like an eternity, we came to a landing on a large sailing vessel of centuries past. The ship’s side inscription, “The Mayflower” instantly identified it to me.

Next thing I knew, we were down below-decks on this historic ship observing some sort of business conference.

A large number of similarly dressed Pilgrim men were seated around a rough table hard at work drafting some sort of legal document, apparently named after the ship.

Many other Pilgrims, of various ages, stature and characters, were sitting looking on. The entire atmosphere had a respectful, religious atmosphere.

The leader then emerged from the group to call the meeting to order and give his opening introduction. From his demeanor, he could have well been an Old Time Religion preacher, or maybe just a godly citizen. Picking up a handwritten journal from the table, he began to read what appeared to be an official draft.

“In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. "Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.”
Afterwards, the leader laid down the draft and sat down, hands folded in thoughtful prayer. Shouts of joy could be heard all over that meeting room.

In searching for answers, I looked around for my strange companion. He was nowhere to be found, for he had suddenly disappeared, and so did my dream.

I was back home, sitting in my recliner, still enjoying my homemade snack. My Bible was on the table by me, mysteriously open to a particular highlighted Scripture passage.

“Thus, saith the LORD, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

What did I do then? Well, after kneeling in prayer, by divine direction my next move would be to call the college president. 'Sir, sir please pick up. We must talk. I’m not quite ready to give up the fight, my dear sir.'

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this bit of American history musing. Why was the Mayflower Compact drafted? Why did our newly forming America need it? Simply put, according to the internet,

“The Mayflower Compact was to quell the conflict and preserve unity. Pilgrim leaders (among them William Bradford and William Brewster) drafted the Mayflower Compact before going ashore. The brief document (about 200 words) bound its signers into a body politic for the purpose of forming a government and pledged them to abide by any laws and regulations that would later be established “for the general good of the colony.” The compact was signed by nearly all of the Mayflower’s adult male passengers (41 of a total of 102 passengers) while the ship was anchored at Provincetown harbor. Its authority was immediately exercised when John Carver, who had helped organize the expedition, was chosen as governor of the new colony.

So, does today’s America’s Republic, the land of the free and home of the brave, need a revival of the Mayflower Compact? Maybe we do, given today’s more progressive socialist culture. Look around you, read your national syndicated newspaper, tune in a television or radio talk show. Listen to your friendly next-door neighbor, across the back yard fence. Or even discuss it at church.

According to the ACLJ, the American Center for Law and Justice, “a political storm is brewing. One we freedom-loving Americans may not be prepared for. The ruling authority is empowering anti-Christian forces to severely deplete our religious liberty. It's a surreptitious war that could destroy everything we've fought for.

“Kicking pro-life students out of federal buildings, threatening to arrest a pastor for praying in front of the Chinese Embassy, banning churches from using their own property, attacking religious liberty in the military, calling Christian’s "criminals" – this is just the beginning.”

Having been brought up in the good ole Fifties I've never before seen anything like this. Yes, America is in need of a renewed Mayflower Compact, within the scope of today’s political environment.

So, I leave you with this sincere prayer.

"Father God, I’m so unsettled within my spirit that my soul trembles within me. I know you are still our all-powerful, all-knowing Redeemer. I know you still place the just and unjust in authority according to Your perfect will. (Daniel 2:21) I know you reward good and punish evil (Genesis 12:3) with respect to Your people Israel. And I know from personal ongoing experience, that You love and protect Your own. (Galatians 3:26) Thank You for Jesus (John 3:16) and Your Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26) to lead me and guide me into all truth, (John 14:26) in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!"