Charles Kuralt

In Charles Kuralt’s America the author recalls a town meeting he once attended in Strafford, Vermont:

“What happens at a town meeting is pure democracy. Every citizen may have his or her say on every question. For a half-hour that day, for example, they debated the question of whether to go on paying $582.50 a year for outside health services deemed unsatisfactory by a farmer named Brown.

The moderator, rail-fence-maker James Condict, said, “I’m going to ask for a standing vote. All those in favor…” and there it came, the Yankee expression that is the soul of the town meeting, “stand up and be counted.”

By a standing vote, Strafford agreed with farmer Brown.”

Christians must be willing to take a stand for what is right. The Bible says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13).