“Pains were taken to connect Ministers of the most dissimilar religious principles together”. So wrote founding father Benjamin Rush in his account of the July 4th, 1788 Grand Procession in Philadelphia. The Constitution had just been ratified by nine of the 13 colonies (all thirteen would eventually approved America’s founding document), and a celebration was in order. 5,000 people marched, and an estimated 17,000 gathered along the streets to applaud the parade celebrating the new country.
Rush’s observations were recorded in the July 15, 1788 edition of the Pennsylvania Mercury:
“…The Clergy formed a very agreeable part of the Procession – They manifested, by their attendance, their sense of the connection between religion and good government. They amounted to seventeen in number. Four and five of them marched arm in arm with each other, to exemplify the Union. Pains were taken to connect Ministers of the most dissimilar religious principles together, thereby to shew the influence of a free government in promoting Christian charity. The Rabbi of the Jews, locked in the arms of two ministers of the gospel, was a most delightful sight. There could not have been a more happy emblem contrived, of that section of the new constitution, which opens all its power and offices alike, not only to every sect of Christians, but to worthy men of every religion.”
The country was now officially established. George Washington took the oath of office nine months later on April 29, 1789. Solidarity was created. The inclusion of religious leaders indicated how important religion was – and is – to the American experiment. The clergy’s joint appearance stood out as a carefully staged moment of ideological meaning, not just a ceremonial detail. The concept of America brought together these leaders who had “dissimilar religious principles”, who, prior to the Procession, had largely regarded one another as competitors, and in some cases enemies.They processed as colleagues.They walked arm in arm. The interfaith, side by side participation was intentional and symbolic. It visually expressed the new constitutional principle of religious equality; and has been remembered as an early public enactment of American religious pluralism. The procession honored the budding democracy that was embracing the religious idea that we all are worthy, and were creating a society that needed and defended the rights for all to pursue freedom.
Muslims were not part of the procession, as there was no documentation of Muslim leaders in Philadelphia at the time. That said, Thomas Jefferson owned his personal copy of the Qur’an, reflecting his deep commitment to religious freedom and pluralism. Jefferson’s Qur’an was the holy book Keith Ellison put his hand on in 2006 when he was sworn in as the first Muslim elected to Congress.
The journey toward American solidarity and religious pluralism has not been an easy one. It has been fraught with disputes, resentments, denunciations – and 165 years ago — a Civil War. Yet the hope and commitment to hold the country together has not only been maintained, but has guided us through the many tribulations we have faced as a country. One of the most important statements in American history that both addressed the country’s turmoil and offered spiritual words of comfort and healing was Lincoln’s 272-word Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.
Five faith-based, bridge building groups are inviting people to participate in hearing the Gettysburg Address on the National Day of Prayer, May 7 at 8 et. Leaders from each of the groups – Braver Faith (of Braver Angels), One America, faith250, Interfaith America and Listen First – will offer reflections on the Address, after which breakout sessions will be created to give participants a chance to respond to Lincoln’s words, and how they are inspiring us to act today. Prayers will be offered from several different religious traditions. A space for silence will be offered. “America the Beautiful” will be sung. You can register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-day-of-prayer-registration-1986908452668?discount=BRAVER&aff=oddtdtcreator
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, there will undoubtedly be competition between various groups who are engaged in events and actions that mark the anniversary. They will vie for attention. Given the plague-like polarization in the country, there may be attempts to diminish or delegitimize one another. Turmoil and tribulation may surface in gut wrenching ways.There is no end of precedent for that sort of response.
But as we continue to uncover moments in American history when difference was not just honored, but as in the 1788 Grand Procession created a “most delightful sight”, we can build on that legacy, lift it up – and lock our arms together in a commitment to hope and as an expression of healing.
