Episcopal Press and News

Search the Episcopal Press and News

Year

All 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962

Enter search query

Old North' Opens Bicentennial

Diocesan Press Service. June 9, 1975 [75218]

BOSTON, Mass. -- A "Third Lantern of Hope" was lit recently in Boston's famed 252-year-old Christ ("Old North") Church to usher in the celebration of the nation's bicentennial by the congregation.

The silver lantern was held by the vicar, the Rev. Robert W. Golledge, and lit by President Gerald R. Ford, who spoke during the service.

After speaking of the trials and tribulations experienced recently by the people of the U.S., Mr. Ford added: "The American dream is not dead; it simply has yet to be fulfilled. "

Mr. Golledge said, "The two lanterns which once shone from this steeple led us to two centuries of some progress in reason, in liberty, and in faith, but not enough: to some fulfillment in mind, in body, and in spirit, but not enough: to some gains in thinking, acting and trusting freedom, but not enough. "

The Third Lantern was lit, he said, as a signal to call the nation to renewed effort and hope in the Third Century of the nation.

Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts read a Scripture lesson and the Rt. Rev. John M. Burgess, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, offered prayers and the benediction.

* Adapted from The Church Militant, May 1975.