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When a man conquered death and saw paradise
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Dr. King, April 3, 1968
Forty years ago, when Barack Obama was seven, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood up on a rainy night in Memphis, exhausted, scared, and utterly prophetic. He “preached the fear of death out of himself,” said a number of those present, and gave a Mosaic vision of “the Promised Land.” He was killed the next day, just as he took in some fresh evening air and was remembering a hymn a particularly loved. His closing crescendo at the Mason Temple began with this dirge:
“And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?”
Then, the final 132 words of his last public address, which I see as actual rhapsody, in 17 consecutive declarations of pure prayer. For those final few moments and 132 words, MLK was suspended somewhere between earth and heaven, and he envisioned the 40 years of wandering that have come to an end, now:
1) Well, I don't know what will happen now.
1) Well, I don't know what will happen now.
2) We've got some difficult days ahead.
3) But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.
4) And I don't mind.
5) Like anybody, I would like to live a long life.
6) Longevity has its place.
7) But I'm not concerned about that now.
8) I just want to do God's will.
9) And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain.
10) And I've looked over.
11) And I've seen the Promised Land.
12) I may not get there with you.
13) But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
14) And so I'm happy, tonight.
15) I'm not worried about anything.
16) I'm not fearing any man!
17) Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!
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