50 years ago on this night (November-29) at midnight, (as a boy almost 16, December-11), I stood on the Garrison-Savannah to watch the Union-Jack come down and the Trident go up. It was a proud moment for all “Bajans”. At 16 I did not understand the ramifications. We were sad to see the British go, but as I grew older I found we were not seeking freedom but an identity. Fact is, the British never really left and many of us (including me) remain it citizens and proudly so as I watched my nation build with resounding-success within the Caribbean Sea.
My family has served our country in many capacities including the Office-of-Governor. All seven of our Prime Ministers held firm against politics; making our 166-square-mile-island a stable place for all who dwell. Like all countries we have our problems but there is unquestioned-democracy and economic-growth. But most importantly our faith grounded solidly in the Anglican-faith beckoning the words of Ray Palmer (1830)
(PARAPHRARSED)
My faith looks up to Thee,
Now hear me while I pray,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Who would have thought that 50 years hence this rustic little fellow born to Bajan privilege would have been given the world's highest honor of walking in “The Shoes of the Fisherman”; now 42 years hence, I stand knowing that it all began in Barbados.
I am forever grateful to God that he has given me the chance to serve His church and that thousands of people around the world have been touched by our work. To you my Bajan-brothers-and-sisters, I am proud to be one of you; humbled that in 50 years there has been no major conflicts except Cubana-Airlines Flight-55 blown out of the sky 28-miles off the Bajan shore October 11, 1976.
The Anglican-Church has been a bedrock of our faith and our stability and no matter how many branches we have, the Anglican-Faith is connected by its 39 Articles-of-Faith. Personally, I would have never imagined on the night of November 29-30, that 50 years hence my life wound have been totally dedicated to God. I thank our Prime Ministers, Barrow, Adams, St. John, Sandiford, Arthur, Thompson, and Stewart for the guidance they have given our country and the hand of stability given by our Governors, Scott, Williams, Ward, Springer, Barrow, Williams, Husbands, and Belgrave. All, compiled along with our faith, have blended a country without race or personal conflicts; and I, the proud-voice abroad, the “Shoes of the Fisherman”.
“In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which our pride is sprung
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood” ……Chorus
“We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great
Strict guardians of our heritage
Firm craftsmen of our fate”
I’m from the dusty hills of St. George where a white lion stands guard at the foot-of-the-hills and people fly from miles around to see it statued lineage; but somewhere from within Drax Hall in those hills we have lived
We have learned
We have had failures
We have had joys (untold) and now as the twilight of our life appears, along with my ACW brethren, love, faith still stands firm and we think of our beloved country and we listen closely to the voice of God doing his will as I continue to walk in “The shoes of the fisherman”.
+Hartley, Patriarch IV ACW
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