A mother of the revolution

I recently read a book about Mercy Otis Warren. The book was "The Muse of the Revolution- the Secret Pen of Mercy Otis Warren." by Nancy Rubin Stewart.

She was a great mother of five, and a writer during the Revolutionary war. Her brother was the first to decry Taxation without Representation. She was a close friend and confidant to John Adams. She wrote him regularly to keep him updated on events surrounding the revolution. She also wrote many plays that parodied the Tories and those corrupt politicians that were trying to undermine freedom for the colonists.

I liked these quotes:
" The great business of life, is the regulation of the passions and the subjugation of those appetites which tend to weaken the powers of the mind"
She writes of the impact that the Declaration had on the colonies: "Americans can now no more be considered as rebels, in their proposals for treaties of peace and conciliation with Britain; they were a distinct people who claimed the rights and respect of nations, uncontrolled by any foreign power."

She also wrote that " Every domestic enjoyment depends on the unimpaired possession of civil and religious liberty" She also often wrote of how God would deliver them. On Dec 26 1776 she wrote "this day and evening admidst a thousand gloomy anecdotes... God was about to bring us deliverance, by means which we cannot foresee."

I think that her insights into what was happening at the time of the Revolution are especially applicable to what is going on today. She wrote often of the moral decline in society. The patriots were in a battle for their freedom, and all around them there were people who were using the war to gain fortunes. The Warren's both James and Mercy were very concerned with morality. They were discouraged with the way many citizens began to act after the revolution was won. There was a general upheaval as the new nation tried to recover from the rigors and debts of war. Finally the Constitutional Convention was held, and the Constitution was born.
Mary read the Constitution and authored "Observations on the New Constitution", in this pamphlet she expressed concerns with the constitution. In Dec. 1791 ten of her objections became the basis for the Bill of Rights.
Mercy's first love was her family. She loved being a mother. She loved being a wife to her husband, and missed him when he was away to serve the public. She made sacrifices so that we have our freedoms today. She used her talents as a writer to further the revolution, and promote values and freedom. She believed strongly in adhering to strict moral values, and remaining true to what you believed in.

She is just another great example of those who had the faith to endure hardship so that we can live in a free country. I am grateful to this wonderful mother and patriot.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

William Ross Wallace