"All that part of Creation that lies within our observation is liable to change. Even mighty state and kingdoms are not exempted. If we look into history, we shall find some nations rising from contemptible beginnings and spreading their influence, until the whole globe is subjected to their ways. When they have reached the summit of grandeur, some minute and unsuspected cause commonly affects their ruin, and the empire of the world is transferred to some other place.

Immortal Rome was at first but an insignificant village, inhabited only by a few abandoned ruffians, but by degrees it rose to a stupendous height, and excelled in arts and arms all the nations that preceded it. But the demolition of Carthage (what one should think should have established it in supreme domination) by removing all danger, suffered it to sink into debauchery, and made it at length an easy prey to Barbarians.

England immediately upon this began to increase (the particular and minute cause of which I am not historian enough to trace) in power and magnificence, and is now the greatest nation upon the globe.

Soon after the Reformation a few people came over into the new world for conscience sake. Perhaps this (apparently) trivial incident may transfer the great seat of empire into America. It looks likely to me. For if we can remove the turbulent Gallics, our people according to exactest computations, will in another century, become more numerous than England itself. Should this be the case, since we have (I may say) all the naval stores of the nation in our hands, it will be easy to obtain mastery of the seas, and then the united force of all Europe, will not be able to subdue us.

The only way to keep us from setting up for ourselves is to disunite us. Divide et impera. Keep us in distinct colonies, and then, some great men in each colony, desiring the monarchy of the whole, they will destroy each other's influence and keep the country in equilibrio."

Those are words of John Adams from 1755.

I find it interesting that he stood at one end of the continuum and saw potential greatness. And we stand here 254 years later and wonder if what we're looking at is the downfall of that same great nation. Felled by greed? What lies in store for this nation? The same path as Rome? We should know better than to feel we're immune to being replaced, immune to tumbling from the annals of greatness. I guarantee that Rome never thought they'd be anything but the world superpower they were.

Is there hope for us? I would have to say, as John Adams did....if our nation would repent and turn to God.