Battle Hymn

This may be a different post from my usual blogs. I am sitting here in tears having just read Heather Cox Richardson’s post about the significance of February 1 in American history. On this day in 1860, Julia Ward Howe was inspired to write the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, having spent the day visiting the Union forces guarding Washington DC from Confederate troops who were surrounding and threatening the city at the start of the Civil War.

One verse reads:

“In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.”

On February 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Joint Resolution of Congress passing the Thirteenth Amendment. The amendment stated that "[n]either slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." It gave Congress power to enforce that amendment. Within a decade, though, segregation was evident. Another century of struggle ensued, struggle for justice and equality. The civil rights movement in the sixties achieved some results, and finally in 1976, in an effort to recognise the achievements of Blacks historically, President Ford designated February 1 the first day of Black History Month.

In 2025, President Trump has revoked a 60-year-old executive order that protected equal opportunity in employment. He has called for an end to all diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Neither the Pentagon nor the State Department will recognise Black History month, which starts today.

Groundhog Day (which, weirdly, is tomorrow).

What would Jesus do? What does he call us to do?

‘As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on.’ As Jesus followers, we are called to die to self and live for Jesus. In peace and with courage. We are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We of every colour and gender.

I am heartbroken to see the direction of travel over the last two weeks.