Mine eyes have seen the glory (PDF): Since I mentioned it earlier, today's as good a day as any to post the immortal last public words of Dr. King. "Morning Edition" played the last minute, or so, this morning, and, as every year, when I hear it I feel the tingling of the knife-tip pointed at King's aorta, which he references earlier; and I feel the goose-flesh of knowing that words so powerful as these were the great civil rights legend's last. From Stanford University's excellent compilation of his most important sermons, speeches and letters:

It doesn't really matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane—there were six of us—the pilot said over the public address system: "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong on the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."

And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out, or what would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers.

Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And so I'm happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

[Link]