The Flame of Liberty Good morning and welcome to all of you, including those of you who are on the broadcast. Our story today is about the flame of liberty. There is an ascended master who was so devoted to the Spirit of Liberty embodied in the threefold flame of the heart, that after her ascension, she was called upon to bear the title of Goddess of Liberty. This flame of liberty inspired the building of the Statue of Liberty. (Show picture.) This statue does not just represent the country of America, but all who carry the threefold flame, the flame of freedom in their hearts. For America is not just the name of a nation but is defined as spiritually meaning the Lightbearers of Sanat Kumara. Do you know what word is created when you respell America? (Allow children to answer.) I AM Race. This stands for every race of people, from all nations and religions, who have come together under God s name, I AM THAT I AM. They are the sons and daughters of God. i Two centuries ago, millions of people called immigrants came to find freedom in America. One of the first things they saw was the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. It stands as an outer symbol of freedom or liberty for all. Our story today is based on a true story of a young girl s experience coming to America with her two brothers. Annie Moore 1
On December 20, 1891, Annie Moore stood in the long line with her two younger brothers. Her red hair blew in the breeze and tears fell from her green eyes. Here is a painting of Annie. (Show picture.) Anthony asked his sister, Why are you crying, Annie? She quickly wiped the tears away. Oh, I was just wondering if I would ever see the beautiful green valleys of Ireland again. Anthony sighed, I was wondering if we would ever eat Irish stew again, he said. Annie smiled. At that moment they heard a loud voice announce, Time to board. The three children each carried their one small bag of personal belongings as they slowly walked onto the SS Nevada, the ship that would take them to their new home in America. They held hands and bravely took their places. Even though Annie was sad about leaving Ireland, she was also excited about seeing her parents again. Philip finally spoke, Mom and Dad will be so surprised at how tall I am now. I ve never been to a big city before. Where will we play? Annie laughed. Philip, you are a lot taller now. And I m sure you ll find a place to play. Philip was only seven and the youngest. Annie s parents had gone to America two years earlier with her older brother. They found jobs in New York and life was better than it had been in Ireland. Day after day on the ship, the three children huddled together in 2
steerage class, the large room where hundreds of other travelers were crowded together. Time passed slowly. On the eleventh day, Philip asked again, When are we going to be there? Well, we are traveling 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean Anthony said. Maybe tomorrow, Philip, Annie replied. That day went along like all the others. Annie tried her best to keep Philip entertained. Although she was only fourteen, she was the oldest of the three and assumed the responsibility for their safety. The next day Annie awoke to someone shouting, Happy New Year! January 1, 1892. Today was Annie s birthday! Come up to the deck, shouted another. The crowd rarely was allowed to the upper level. Annie wondered what the special occasion was. She knew it wasn t because it was her birthday. Bring your belongings too. We ve reached America. Annie, Philip and Anthony grabbed their suitcases and raced to the deck. That s when Annie saw it! Oh look! she shouted as she pointed to the magnificent statue across the water. The rising sun produced ribbons of light rippling on the tall sculpture, creating an image of one lighting the way to a new world. (Show picture.) It s the beautiful lady! said Philip. And so big! replied Anthony. The Statue of Liberty seemed to welcome them as they sailed into 3
the harbor. The crowd cheered. Six years earlier, this statue had been dedicated as a gift from France to America. Annie felt a warm glow in her heart, almost as if the flame in the lady s hand were burning as the freedom flame in her heart. What flame do you think Annie was feeling in her heart? (Allow children to answer.) Yes, it was the freedom flame, her threefold flame. (Show picture.) Annie spoke softly to herself, She looks so strong, yet so kind and personal. Annie felt safe. She knew that this beautiful lady would care for her and her family. What a wonderful birthday present! She was startled out of her thoughts when she heard the Captain announce, The ship is about to dock at Ellis Island. You are the first group of immigrants to enter America at this station. As the ship slowed, people started crowding toward the plank. It seemed that the newcomers all wanted to be the first to land at the new station. But for some reason the honor was reserved for the rosy- cheeked Irish girl, whose birthday it was. As soon as the gangplank was run ashore, Annie was hurried into the big building. When the paperwork was complete, Colonel Weber presented Annie with a gift. Annie Moore from Ireland, here is a ten- dollar gold piece a gift for being the first immigrant to land on the newly- opened Ellis Island, he said. Annie replied, Thank you, Colonel Weber. This is the first United States coin I have ever seen, and the largest amount of money I have ever owned. I will never part with it, but will keep it as a pleasant 4
memento of this occasion. Then the trio reunited with their parents. It was a family reunion that none of them would ever forget. Now, over 100 years later, a statue of Annie and her brothers stands on Ellis Island (now a museum). (Show picture.) CONCLUSION So we can see that many of the immigrants, like Annie Moore, who passed the Statue of Liberty recognized the flame of liberty as it burned in their own hearts as their divine spark, the threefold flame. Let us end our story with words spoken by the Goddess of Liberty in a dictation. She is speaking to all us, regardless of where we were born. The Goddess of Liberty said, Therefore, beloved, all who are a part of this body and company of the Lord Sanat Kumara are by name America, embody the Spirit of America, and therefore may call themselves in the spiritual sense Americans. ii Our friend, Terry Canady, will anchor the flame of the blessed Mother with his song 100, The Virgin of Guadalupe and song 34, O God, You Are So Magnificent! which is in your handout and on our new CD, Higher Ground. Thank you for sharing our story. Have a wonderful conference. 5
Permission is granted to copy and share this story in its entirety, including all copyright and contact information. This lesson may not be sold or used in any way to gain profit. Published by Montessori International. Copyright 2014 Summit Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. 6
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Painting of Annie Moore 8
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i Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Class Lecture Only Love June 30, 1977. ii Beloved Goddess of Liberty Vol. 29 No. 65 November 23, 1986 Lightbearers of the World, Unite! IV. 11