For the 1876 centennial celebration of the Fourth of July, Daniel C. Roberts penned a special hymn. He could never have known how applicable it would be 128 years hence.

In 1887, Robert's hymn was chosen as the official hymn of the national centennial observance commemorating the adoption of our Constitution. Along with the original tune ("National Hymn") written for this occasion, the hymn later appeared in the official hymnal of the Episcopal Church in 1892, encouraging a nation beset by war since its inception.

Something else significant occurred in 1892. On September 8, "The Youth's Companion" magazine published a few words for students to recite on Columbus Day. Written by either (or possibly both) Francis Bellamy or James Upham, the words were also sent to public schools across the country. Then on October 12, the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America, more than 12 million children first recited the Pledge of Allegiance, thus beginning a required school-day ritual.

Patriotism soared during World War II, and in 1942 Congress officially made the Pledge of Allegiance part of its code for the use of the flag. Then in 1954, immediately after the Korean War, Congress added two words: "under God."

A man intimately familiar with war and its weapons, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower explained, "In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."

The Bible affirms that the real weapons of our warfare "are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). But even spiritual weapons prove ineffective unless we-both individually and nationally-voluntarily place ourselves "under God," as President Eisenhower intimated.

As we now face a new kind of war, in a day when only half our states have laws that encourage the classroom recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, we must again turn where past wars have led us. We must unite as "one nation under God." To be a people under God-led, covered and protected by His almighty hand-is our only sure defense.

GOD OF OUR FATHERS WHOSE ALMIGHTY HAND