I have often contemplated the old adage, “The day you stop learning is the day you die”. From an Earthly perspective this seems to be absolute; for what can be more terminal for our minds than death itself? However, when viewed from the eternal perspective one can surely see that there is much more that is yet to be revealed and no one is exempt from this Biblical certainty. I undoubtedly being a Christian concur with the latter. While the eternal perspective is one that will far surpass anything we can wrap our minds around here on Earth and worthy of reflection, I would like to entertain the Earthly perspective. From birth to death, life seems to possess a constant state of learning. The learning process commences from the moment sensory functions are developed and extends throughout our entire lifetime. For years society has introduced the educational process early in life which in turn just equips us for the next phase of learning to not only survive, but succeed. In the last 9 years of my career, I can attest this notion of a daily flow of new data. Whether it is relative to my occupation, or my location, every day has produced something different or inexperienced. I have discovered through the years that with age, wisdom, and maturity, the more I am aware of the unknown. From this I deduce that learning is a journey; it has no destination. I don’t know of any better catalyst for the comprehension of this life-long process than examining the past. History itself paints the perfect picture of this long arduous process of learning how to survive. We as a culture have learned and can still gain from previous feats and failures in our country and world. I recently made the decision to go back to college and history, like many other adolescents, was furthest from my favorite subjects in school. It still didn’t really grasp my interest two weeks ago and as you probably guessed, I am taking the class now. Now this may be premature thinking being only into chapter four, but I am experiencing history in a whole different light. There is something inexplicable, maybe enlightening about seeing where you came from or how your countrymen came to existence that just doesn’t quite reach the forefront of your mind during the adolescent years. With that said, I have included a little segment of history that was an assignment given to me for summation. Hope you too experience your own Great Awakening! Pun is intended!
The Great Awakening, later given its name by minister and historian Joseph Tracy in 1842, first showed signs of birth in New England in the 1730s. It wasn’t until the 1750s that this outbreak of Protestant spiritual revivals proceeded to impact the lives of the early colonists. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia were among the most effected by the religious revivals. The older generation Congregational churches were more concerned with religious training and rational thinking than the salvation of souls. This coupled with a lack of ordained ministers in the South brought forth a new group of preachers. Among this group of “New Lights” were Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. These Calvinist preachers evangelized with emotional rhetoric and captured the minds and hearts of people from all Protestant denominations. Whitefield traveled from colonies in New Hampshire down to Georgia with his new style evangelism. Preaching that scripture teaches that all men were created equal and that a man’s value is in his moral beliefs rather than his class challenged previous conceptions of social order. This widespread revival created many positive changes to the colonial society which in turn even effects modern day. Baptist preachers were arrested in VA and were defended by a young lawyer named James Madison. This later would later spur the inclusion of religious freedom into the Constitution. The New Lights founded many schools of higher learning. Presbyterians established the College of New Jersey which is now modern day Princeton University. Dartmouth, Brown, and Rutgers are other examples that were established. African Americans were also a part of this evangelism and thousands were converted. With politics and religion so closely intertwined, this movement gave colonists a new outlook on life. The new idea that every man and woman no longer had to rely on ministers or authority for their own salvation, but rather, one stood alone before God instilled a sense of courage in people to stand up for themselves. Due to the widespread changes in religious thinking, a sense of unity was established beyond the local towns and throughout the colonies. People shared a common excitement about the future progression of America. Through the Great Awakening, one can begin to see the dawning of a democratic mindset and a unified nation under God which would only be obtainable by a Revolution.
Showing posts with label American History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American History. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
First in the Hearts of His Countrymen?
It has been a slow sports week so I decided to share my other love with you - American History. We honor our presidents in February so here is a blog on our first commander-in-chief. A little Washington 101, if you will.
As a former secondary school History teacher, I was always amazed at how little my incoming students knew about our first president, the incomparable, George Washington. What they knew of him was that he was indeed our first commander-in-chief and that his face is on the piece of paper currency they are undoubtedly the most familiar with, the one dollar bill. There is so much more to this man, that many Americans don't know and I fear will never know. There seems to be a push from liberal crowds even in academic circles to nudge early American History out of the books or at the very least to minimize the role of early Americans. The reasons for this are many and that in and of itself is a topic for another blog some rainy day. But today, the day following Washington's birthday - I am asking you, my fellow Americans (did that sound presidential?) to make George Washington relevant again.
To many, he is the first American. Not just because he held the Continental Army together during the Revolutionary War and presided over our fledgling government but because he was an embodiment of the American spirit that would come to define a nation. He was larger than life - literally. In a time when adult males were traditionally short, Washington stood six feet, three inches tall. He was easily recognizable -the perfect face of a new nation. In addition, he was a master horseman, the closest thing to a superstar athlete in late eighteenth-century America. And of course, he was a warrior, an action hero.
During his younger days, when he was a member of the Virginia militia and still a loyal British subject, Washington fought the French during the Seven Years War. After a particular battle that featured a fierce fire fight, Washington emerged unscathed from fighting though many of his fellow soldiers lost their lives. Once back within the realm of safety, it was pointed out that Washington's garments had sustained a series of bullet holes - seven to be exact, but he, himself was unharmed. That was just one such tale of survival - there were others, like the time he and a guide survived on an iceberg while lost in the wilderness. These are the kind of stories that give you goose bumps to read about. It was as if he was being protected or saved for a greater purpose.
He was a man of character and one who realized great responsibility. As a president, every decision he made, he considered what kind of precedent he may have been setting for future presidents. He warned about becoming entangled in foreign affairs and worried about the divisive nature of emerging political parties. Issues that are still very relevant today. Washington made the comment that his conduct would have consequences for "generations upon generations of yet unborn Americans" and he was fine with that because he felt it held him accountable. Accountability is a quality that too many "leaders" today seem to be lacking in.
As time progressed, other great leaders were born and made their ways to the fore-fronts of the American subconscious: Lincoln, Teddy, Truman, Ike, and the Gipper. They all have their "Great Predecessor"to thank for paving their political ways. Of course it was once said that Washington was "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." I wonder if that is still true today. Sadly, I doubt it is. To many, George Washington is simply, "that guy on the quarter." Do something American today and google George Washington or any of our other great and courageous leaders and help me make Washington relevant again. Happy birthday, Mr. President.
As a former secondary school History teacher, I was always amazed at how little my incoming students knew about our first president, the incomparable, George Washington. What they knew of him was that he was indeed our first commander-in-chief and that his face is on the piece of paper currency they are undoubtedly the most familiar with, the one dollar bill. There is so much more to this man, that many Americans don't know and I fear will never know. There seems to be a push from liberal crowds even in academic circles to nudge early American History out of the books or at the very least to minimize the role of early Americans. The reasons for this are many and that in and of itself is a topic for another blog some rainy day. But today, the day following Washington's birthday - I am asking you, my fellow Americans (did that sound presidential?) to make George Washington relevant again.
To many, he is the first American. Not just because he held the Continental Army together during the Revolutionary War and presided over our fledgling government but because he was an embodiment of the American spirit that would come to define a nation. He was larger than life - literally. In a time when adult males were traditionally short, Washington stood six feet, three inches tall. He was easily recognizable -the perfect face of a new nation. In addition, he was a master horseman, the closest thing to a superstar athlete in late eighteenth-century America. And of course, he was a warrior, an action hero.
During his younger days, when he was a member of the Virginia militia and still a loyal British subject, Washington fought the French during the Seven Years War. After a particular battle that featured a fierce fire fight, Washington emerged unscathed from fighting though many of his fellow soldiers lost their lives. Once back within the realm of safety, it was pointed out that Washington's garments had sustained a series of bullet holes - seven to be exact, but he, himself was unharmed. That was just one such tale of survival - there were others, like the time he and a guide survived on an iceberg while lost in the wilderness. These are the kind of stories that give you goose bumps to read about. It was as if he was being protected or saved for a greater purpose.
He was a man of character and one who realized great responsibility. As a president, every decision he made, he considered what kind of precedent he may have been setting for future presidents. He warned about becoming entangled in foreign affairs and worried about the divisive nature of emerging political parties. Issues that are still very relevant today. Washington made the comment that his conduct would have consequences for "generations upon generations of yet unborn Americans" and he was fine with that because he felt it held him accountable. Accountability is a quality that too many "leaders" today seem to be lacking in.
As time progressed, other great leaders were born and made their ways to the fore-fronts of the American subconscious: Lincoln, Teddy, Truman, Ike, and the Gipper. They all have their "Great Predecessor"to thank for paving their political ways. Of course it was once said that Washington was "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." I wonder if that is still true today. Sadly, I doubt it is. To many, George Washington is simply, "that guy on the quarter." Do something American today and google George Washington or any of our other great and courageous leaders and help me make Washington relevant again. Happy birthday, Mr. President.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
