What Manner of Men They Were…

Each generation leaves the future to take on some of the problems of the past, solving some and adding others, appraising principles, struggling with compromise, sometimes deviating, sometimes staying true to course. And as we see the problems that our forebears faced, we wonder what ingredients of greatness went into the making of such men. If we could in reality realize what it would mean to enter an isolated area, with little more than a few simple tools- except for faith and freedom and courage and convictions and the willingness to work-we could then sense a little more what manner of men they were.

Nobody now seems much to move anywhere without many impedimenta, much paraphernalia, provision, costly equipment. But think of being far from a ready source of food, far from any source of supply- of being dependent upon the ability to gather and to get what the open country could provide. Think of being in the wilderness with no one to turn to- no one except themselves and divine Providence- and think of the extra closeness there would be to Him under such circumstances.

Much of what we have we would to have if our pioneer and pilgrim forebears had not laid their lives on the line. Everything we have that is worth having has come through the work and sacrifice of someone. And while conditions are not altogether comparable, the same principles still prevail, and we have to be willing to stand for something, to extend ourselves, willing to sacrifice, to work if we are to have and to hold all that matters most.

We cannot idle our way into affluence. We cannot keep even if we are digging deeper into debt. We cannot safely forget that the easy way is often harder than any other.

And we would plead with this generation not to ignore history, not to ignore principles, not to forget the price already paid- not to forget honor and honesty and the honoring of obligations; not to forget the willingness to prepare; not to forget sacrifice and service.

Thank God for the courage, for the faith, for the foresight, for the principles, the honor, the effort, and the downright devotion to duty of the pioneers and patriots of the past. And God grant that we may appreciate and preserve the heritage we have.