Have Faith in One Another (September 1, 2020)

The day was September 3, 1783. Following a bloody and bitter war for independence between The United States of America and Great Britain, the two countries signed a treaty for peace and mutual prosperity, vowing “to forget all past Misunderstandings and Differences that have unhappily interrupted the good Correspondence and Friendship which they mutually wish to restore; and to establish such a beneficial and satisfactory Intercourse between the two countries upon the ground of reciprocal Advantages and mutual Convenience as may promote and secure to both perpetual Peace and Harmony.” In the 237 years since, former enemies have maintained more than just peace and harmony, but also the bonds of friendship. 

History teaches us many things; things about economics and war, but also about faith. During the decade that spanned the Revolutionary War era, the ideologies of two peoples could not have been more disparate. Yet after the tragedy of war, great nations of great people maintained their faith in one another. Today the people of our great nation – The United States of America – are ideologically divided. History instructs us that, through tragedy and discord, we must find and can hold onto our faith in one another.

Centuries ago Freemason W. W. Fernie of England said so aptly: 

“Have faith in one another, When you meet in friendship’s name;

For a true friend is a brother, And his heart shall throb the same;

Though your paths in life may differ, Since the hour when first ye met,

Have faith in one another, Ye may need that friendship yet.

Have faith in one another When ye whisper faith’s fond vow;

It may not be always summer, Nor always bright as now;

And when winter time comes o’er ye, If some kindred heart ye share,

Have faith in one another, And ye ne’er shall know despair.

Have faith in one another; For should doubt alone incline,

It would make this world a desert, And the sun would cease to shine;

We have all some transient sorrow That o’ershadows us to-day,

Yet have faith in one another, And it soon will pass away.

Have faith in one another, And let honor be your guide,

Let the truth alone be spoken, Whatever may betide;

The false may reign season, And we doubt not but it will,

But have faith in one another, And the truth will triumph still.”

All of us have a part of America inside of us and together we are the parts that make America. As a house divided cannot stand, together we can continue to build on the foundation that began this great nation, with faith in hand.

Sincerely,

Justin R. Zinzow

CEO

on Behalf of Team Z