In this concluding session of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, is joined by nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt for an hour-long webcast, where they discuss the main points of the series, and answer questions.
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In this concluding session of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, is joined by nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt for an hour-long webcast, where they discuss the main points of the series, and answer questions.
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 Remember four years ago? Candidate Barak Obama made America some amazing promises. Many believed him and he was elected to be our president. We gave President Obama the power and the vast amount of money he asked for. In return, he gave us much more than we bargained for, including: * Unprecedented government growth, bureaucracy, and regulation * Huge payback and empowerment of unions and other Obama cronies * Massive unemployment * Skyrocketing debt * Many other ongoing nightmares Click LIKE if you think it's time to restore Constitutional principles in America! In this fourth lecture of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, draws a contrast between centralized, bureaucratic rule and constitutional government. Here is the Study Guide for Lecture Four.  Elke has an urgent message for you and me! Born in Germany at the time of Hitler, she was raised under the East German communist regime, and was later able to escape to America. Her experiences are very similar to those of an elderly gentleman from East Germany who lives in my community. His warning is even more forceful: "Wake up! Take action! We are on the verge of losing our freedom and prosperity. No one ever risks their lives to try to come to communist countries, but many have risked their lives to escape. Don't wait until it is too late!" Our way of living will change dramatically unless we pay the price to restore Constitutional principles in America. As Patriotic Moms, learning and then teaching these principles to our children should be one of our most important priorities! "In this third lecture of the 'Introduction to the Constitution' series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, continues his outline of the key arrangements of the Constitution. He discusses the principles of Separation of Powers and Limited Government, and how they relate to Representation and the ideas of Nature and Equality in the Declaration." Here is the Study Guide for Lecture 3. "In this second lecture of the “Introduction to the Constitution” series, Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, begins to outline the key arrangements of the Constitution. The topic of this lecture is the principle of Representative Government, which he argues is the most fundamental principle of the Constitution." Here is the Study Guide for Lecture Two. Having just learned a little about James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," now seems like a good time to learn about the United States Constitution itself. Hillsdale College has WONDERFUL resources to learn about the Constitution. They are great for Moms and for our teens and mature tweens who are ready to learn more about our amazing heritage. Here is the first lecture in the Hillsdale "Introduction to the Constitution" series. In this first lecture, "Dr. Larry Arnn, Hillsdale College President, argues that the American republic’s meaning and proper method of operation is found in two documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He introduces the two main principles of the Declaration–Nature and Equality–and explains how they are key to understanding the arrangements of government found in the Constitution." Here is the link to the Study Guide for Lecture One.  "St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461. Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish. There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story. Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies. As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain." Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family. He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message. Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well). Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461. He died at Saul, where he had built the first church....Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission." (Story from YouTube Video)  James Madison was born on March 16, 1751, 261 years ago, and yet we are influenced by his life and work today. Have you ever considered the possibility that the thoughts you choose to think and the work you embrace could have an influence on people hundreds of years from now? George Washington invited us to live so our influence will continue. He declared, “It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.” We live at a time when Constitutional protections of our liberty are being challenged. States are abandoning their autonomy and authority to the federal government in exchange for grants of money. Maybe our gift to James Madison and other patriots who precede us is to learn and protect the principles of the Constitution they entrusted to our care. In so doing, our conduct may, like James Madison's, "stamp political happiness" on "ages yet unborn." Here are some other helpful resources to learn about James Madison:
 When we remember the heroic men and women who were responsible for the founding of this great country, we sometimes forget the many sacrifices they made. James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," was a wealthy plantation owner, but his estate was poorly managed in his absence and he worried continually about financial matters. But Madison, like so many others, paid the price to be true. He studied and prepared himself to do the immense work that was part of being one of the primary architects of the Constitution, and his diligent and determined efforts continue to bless our lives today. "A More Perfect Union" is my favorite depiction of the events surrounding the birth of the United States Constitution. Beginning with James Madison studying and writing at his desk, this inspiring movie follows Madison as he shepherds the creation and ratification of the Constitution. I hope your family takes time to watch and discuss "A More Perfect Union" together. The DVD has been divided into 8 segments here. They each last about 15 minutes, or less. The National Center for Constitutional Studies sells this DVD and many other wonderful products. Click here to see other helpful NCCS resources to teach your children about America's heritage. |
  
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