Oh Beautiful...
As I sit here on the Sunday before Independence Day, my thoughts go to those leaders who made our independence possible. I admire those men and women who had the courage and foresight to pledge their “Lives, Fortunes, and sacred Honor” to a cause bigger than themselves. I think of the words of the hymn:
Oh beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears
(America the Beautiful, by Katharine Lee Bates. Emphasis Added)
This year, the words “undimmed by human tears” takes on additional meaning for me. To say that the gleam of our cities is undimmed by human tears does not indicate an absence of tears; a simple understanding of American history can refute that idea. Instead, I believe that the song is saying that the the struggle to get where we are is worth it. In fact, I would say that the struggle is precisely what has made our country great.
Several months after the United States declared independence from Great Britain, Washington’s army was in bad shape. They had been dealt defeat after defeat; they were cold and starving, and many of their enlistments were about to expire. The United States was days away from having practically no army at all.
During this trying time Thomas Paine, whose stirring words in Common Sense helped stoke the flames of the independence movement, visited the American camp. After seeing the depraved condition of the Army, he wrote:
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated (The Crisis).
Washington and his men were willing to pay that price. Despite their depraved condition, they dared to fight another battle. In bitter winter conditions that kept a large portion of the Army from joining the battle, the troops marched on to Trenton to win a surprising victory from the Hessians.
A few days later, on the last day of the troops enlistment, Washington brought his Army together, asked them to extend their time in the Army, and offered a bonus for each person willing to do so. No one took the offer.
Washington then said:
My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could be reasonably expected; but your country is at stake, your wives, your houses and all that you hold dear. You have worn yourselves out with fatigues and hardships, but we know not how to spare you. If you will consent to stay only one month longer, you will render that service to the cause of liberty and to your country which you probably never can do under any other circumstances. (From the journal of unidentified “Sgt R”)
Many men then stepped forward and then went on to outwit the British and win another battle in nearby Princeton. Washington won his men over, not by appealing to their carnal nature, but by asking them to face further hardships in the name of something greater.
I am grateful for leaders who were willing to pay the proper price for liberty and encouraged their fellow Americans to do the same. The founding fathers asked Americans to risk everything for the right of self-government. Lincoln called upon Americans to “take increased devotion” to ensure that “the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” John F Kennedy admonished Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” Indeed, our country has been blessed with leaders who set high expectations for us and encouraged us to seek a higher purpose.
In fact, having high expectations is a hallmark trait of great leaders and is exemplified by Jesus
Christ. Although Christ did promise that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, during His mortal ministry He constantly encouraged people to look beyond the letter of the law and adhere to the spirit of the law (which is much more difficult). For example, He asked us to not only avoid murder, but anger as well. As much as Christ gives us, he expects the best of us as well.
As we think about what kind of leader we want to be this Independence Day, I hope we can be more like those leaders who made America great. I hope we can be more like Christ. I hope that we can follow the difficult path that leads to greatness and encourage those we lead to do the same. If we do so, it can be said of us:
Oh beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
