John Quincy Adams on the Providential Nature of American Liberty, July 4, 1793.

 

                “…Then shall the fair fabric of universal Liberty rise upon the durable foundation of social equality, and the long-expected era of human felicity, which has been announced by prophetic inspiration, and described in the most enraptured language of the Muses, shall commence its splendid progress…”

            So stated John Quincy Adams in his stirring address to the citizens of Boston on July 4, 1793. The future President of the United States was referring to the spread of the ideals unleashed by the American Revolution throughout Europe and the world, but his Biblical framing of the notion of “universal Liberty” should not be overlooked. “The long-expected era of human felicity” undoubtedly refers to the idea of the second coming of Christ and the thousand years of His benevolent rule. The reference to “prophetic inspiration” is a clear reference to the Biblical prophecy concerning Christ’s return.

            Though rarely overtly, Adams references the Bible throughout his speech. Among the most memorable is the comparison of the Revolutionary generation to “the stripling of Israel,” who, “with scarce a weapon to attack, and without a shield for your defence…met, and undismayed, engaged with the gigantic greatness of British power.” Adams goes on to assure those same people that their offspring will also rise to their high standards should they be called to do so.

            It is, however, in the peroration that Adams firmly ties the destiny of America to the Kingdom of Christ: “Visions of bliss! with every breath to Heaven we speed an ejaculation that the time may hasten, when your reality shall be no longer the ground of votive supplication, but the theme of grateful acknowledgement: when the choral gratulations of the liberated myriads of the elder world, in symphony, sweeter than the music of the spheres, shall hail your country, Americans! as the youngest daughter of nature, and the first-born offspring of Freedom.”

            Rhetoric aside, Adams clearly sees the concept of human liberty as being connected to the Biblical idea of the ultimate freedom of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth. Whether Adams was a premillennial or postmillennial is not clear, nor is it particularly important in looking at this address. The fact that he did believe in the Millennium, and the role of the new American nation in bringing it about, seems apparent. Another reference states that, once the nations of the Earth follow the American example and throw off the arbitrary rule of kings, “Then shall the nerveless arm of superstition no longer interpose an impious barrier between the beneficence of Heaven, and the adoration of its votaries.”

            I read this as a rebuke of the notion of the divine right of kings, echoing the upheaval of the French Revolution, which Adams references earlier in his speech, and possibly even of the Papacy. There is no doubt, however, that Adams perceived a divine hand in the results of the American Revolution and the public virtue of the American population.

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