Quote of the day 11/24

"If any should say, it is in vain for them as individuals to be vigilant, zealous and firm in pursuing any measures for the security of our rights, unless all would unite: I would reply


Ages are composed of seconds, the earth of sands, and the sea of drops, too small to be seen by the naked eye. 


The smallest particles have their influence. 


Such is our state, that each individual has a proportion of influence on some neighbour at least; he, on another, and so on; as in a river, the following drop urges that which is before, and every one through the whole length of the stream has the like influence. 


We know not, what individuals may do. 
We are not at liberty to lie dormant until we can, at once, influence the whole. We must begin with the weight we have. Should the little springs neglect to flow till a general agreement should take place, the torrent that now bears down all before it, would never be formed. These mighty floods have their rise in single drops from the rocks, which, uniting, creep along till they meet with another combination so small that it might be absorbed by the travellers foot. These unite, proceed, enlarge, till mountains tremble at their sound. Let us receive instruction from the streams, and, without discouragment, pursue a laudable plan."

--Nathaniel Niles, Sermon at the North Church in Newburyport on June 5, 1774, only a few weeks after the British closed the port of Boston.
(emphasis added)


He speaks to us.