ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
March 22, 2014
This is a letter to our friends –
Three choices – You get only one
George Washington’s life dates: 1732 / 1799 = 67 years.
Washington Irving’s life dates: 1783 / 1859 = 76 years.
Washington Irving was 16 years old when George Washington died at Mount Vernon. Irving is best known for his short stories, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”. He spoke of his five volume “Life of George Washington” as his most significant work. It took 9 years of research and writing. Washington Irving died the year it was published.
Why is this biography significant? As years pass, details seem to fade into grey. Readers of contemporary biographies of Washington miss the clear focus and character of something written in the era it describes.
My daughter, Fawn, discovered the 3rd volume in a used-book store. A gift to me.
Reading it, I have deeper admiration of the wonderful character of the man (George Washington). His graciousness toward those who opposed his views, his faith in the outcome of doing what is right, his patience with disappointments, most of all – his faith in God, earned him the title, “The Father of Our Country”.
Those who lived in the 13 American colonies in 1776 when they declared their independence from England fell into three groups:
· Those who retained their English citizenship and loyalty to the King.
· Those who renounced their English citizenship and chose liberty under God.
· Those who stood aside with loyalty to neither cause.
July 4th is just ahead. A most appropriate time to have someone stand and read our “Declaration of Independence”. It is an inspiring document and expresses sound reason. Our “war for independence” was fought in self-defense – not rebellion against an authority God had placed over us. The King and Parliament had broken their contracts with the colonies and stepped outside the “laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” England had renounced her authority and substituted force.
The colonies adopted the Declaration. Their leaders understood that the mightiest military force in the world would be sent to hang them. General Washington led the American military forces in an 8-year defense of the God-given rights of men to enjoy liberty. Liberty to establish a civil-government to protect those rights. With a few exceptions, Washington lost that war – until he won it!
Human nature, unless submitted to the Lord, is not very pretty. For, “… where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” [2nd Corinthians 3:17] Jonathan Edwards had recently (1771) ignited the “Great Awakening”. If there were no Jesus, there would be no America!
Americans were divided: Those actively defending the status quo; Those called, “American Patriots”; Those who refused to take a position. Today Americans are divided: Those supporting an oppressive civil-government; Those actively standing for “liberty under law”; Those choosing ignorance and apathy (I don’t know and I don’t care).
It is time for another “Great Awakening”. To aid you in making your choice I suggest the 3-month online course, “Principles of American Government.” It begins on June 2nd. You should read the “Syllabus” on our web site, then read the “Students’ Comments” and commit yourself to this course.
