Still Good?

The following quote is attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, a statesman, historian, and social philosopher from the 1800's. Since an online search turns up slight variations in the quote, I have included two versions. It is worth reading twice anyway!

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. 
America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”

"I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors...; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Even while we celebrate our country's freedom today, we mourn over the ways America has ceased to be good by turning away from God.