Thursday, March 31, 2011

Liberty Day 2011

Two hundred thirty six years ago Patrick Henry addressed the Virginia Convention in Richmond, and persuaded his fellow burgesses to take up arms against England. He understood the options that lay before them, and proclaimed to his hearers, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Henry's words, and his thirst for liberty, are celebrated annually around the country, and we think one of the best celebrations must be in Medinah, Illinois. The Erber family from Harvard were the founders of this celebration that has grown to a day-and-a-half conference for several hundred people.

Guest speakers bring inspiring and educational lectures each year, and that's Joe Morecraft pictured above speaking on the critical difference between natural law and Biblical law. His lecture contrasted the perspectives of Augustine, who believed everything must be considered in light of the Word of God, and Aquinas, who thought the Bible was not necessary for understanding "some" things. Morecraft believes America's preference for reason over God's revelation is partly responsible for the decline of our culture.

Phil Kayser is shown above in the middle of his presentation "Breaches in Humanism's Dam: Why Christianity Will Win the War," which addressed the bankruptcy of humanistic philosophies and the promises to God's people in 2 Chronicles 7:14.


Gretel got the opportunity to wear her new colonial polonaise gown that Lily made for her.


We have to include a shot of the back detail because "it's so stinkin' cute!"


Lily also wore her new polonaise gown for the first time in public, and I believe it was well received. You might remember this dress from last summer.


Finally, a picture of Karen with Mrs. Bringe, who traveled all the way from Colorado with her family so we could enjoy their presence.


Thanks for visiting!

7 comments:

  1. Wow, both Lily's and Gretel's dresses are very nice. The back of Gretel's looks like it took a ridiculous amount of work. Impressive.

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  2. Your daughters gowns are beautiful! I can just imagine all the work that went into that.
    We saw Dr. Moorecraft last night at the film premiere of Nathaniel Darnell's Jimmy Valient:Scions of Danger. Nathaniel is a long-time film producer for Vision Forum.
    Glad to see you are safely home from all your travels. Any sign of spring in your area yet?

    Victoria

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  3. Lily, your polonaise is so beautiful! Wow!
    The back of Gretel's is so charming and intricate! I'm sure it took a lot of work, Jeremy, because Lily is a perfectionist!

    I'll bet your hat looked lovely that day, Lily :P

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  4. Thanks for the compliments everyone.

    Victoria -- the daffodils are popping up, and the weeds in the yard are growing faster than the grass. Some of the trees are starting to bud, so I'd call it early spring here.

    Rachel -- folks are not so clandestine at Liberty Day, but will instead approach you to comment on clothing, which I think is partly a function of knowing many of the people there already

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  5. Absolutely beautiful job on the polonaise gowns (does that make them "polonese" in the plural?!), Lily! I love the striped silk; it's gorgeous and perfectly suited to those meticulous box pleats. Lovely work on them both! :-)

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  6. I'm honored to be on your blog! Wish you all could come to Colorado. :-)
    -Mrs. B

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  7. Rebecca -- thanks for the kind compliments

    Mrs B -- it was refreshing to see you back east again. We'll have to ponder what excuse we could use to make the trip to Colorado.

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