In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty.
Liberty or death. This was the stark choice the people of thirteenth/fourteenth century Scotland faced if they rose up against their English rulers. Many would say that it was no choice at all. How could the Scottish people ever hope to gain their freedom on the battlefield? Many of the nobles were English supporters. Few people could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English army that would assuredly invade from the South. Edward I, the king of England, would quickly and consistently resist any and all attempts by Scotland to rule itself. The odds seemed insurmountable. Yet with the right leader, with a long term commitment and above all with God's good providence it could be accomplished.
The Theme Is Freedom: Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition by M. Stanton Evans.
During the week of July 4th, one or more poll results were released, showing the little knowledge many citizens have regarding the origin of the annual Fourth of July celebration in America. Accompanying this is the increasing demand by many for the civil government to insure their multiple rights, defined by themselves, are granted and protected.
In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty.
Liberty or death. This was the stark choice the people of thirteenth/fourteenth century Scotland faced if they rose up against their English rulers. Many would say that it was no choice at all. How could the Scottish people ever hope to gain their freedom on the battlefield? Many of the nobles were English supporters. Few people could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English army that would assuredly invade from the South. Edward I, the king of England, would quickly and consistently resist any and all attempts by Scotland to rule itself. The odds seemed insurmountable. Yet with the right leader, with a long term commitment and above all with God's good providence it could be accomplished.
The Theme Is Freedom: Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition by M. Stanton Evans.
During the week of July 4th, one or more poll results were released, showing the little knowledge many citizens have regarding the origin of the annual Fourth of July celebration in America. Accompanying this is the increasing demand by many for the civil government to insure their multiple rights, defined by themselves, are granted and protected.
In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty.
Liberty or death. This was the stark choice the people of thirteenth/fourteenth century Scotland faced if they rose up against their English rulers. Many would say that it was no choice at all. How could the Scottish people ever hope to gain their freedom on the battlefield? Many of the nobles were English supporters. Few people could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English army that would assuredly invade from the South. Edward I, the king of England, would quickly and consistently resist any and all attempts by Scotland to rule itself. The odds seemed insurmountable. Yet with the right leader, with a long term commitment and above all with God's good providence it could be accomplished.
The Theme Is Freedom: Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition by M. Stanton Evans.
During the week of July 4th, one or more poll results were released, showing the little knowledge many citizens have regarding the origin of the annual Fourth of July celebration in America. Accompanying this is the increasing demand by many for the civil government to insure their multiple rights, defined by themselves, are granted and protected.
Revolution and its reign of terror. Morison notes, "But the mere mention of the French and Latin-American revolutions shows how fundamentally ours differed from theirs. Our Revolution may be said to have begun with Washington and Jefferson in Virginia and the brace of Adamses in Massachusetts; and ended with Washington, John Adams, and Jefferson as the first three presidents under a new federal constitution, with Sam Adams governor under a conservative State Constitution written by his cousin John. By contrast, in no other important revolution of modem times did the leaders who started the revolution end it." (Ibid., p. 3) Opponents of the revolution here suffered no atrocities akin to what happened in France. There were no summary executions or purges of enemies of the people. Morison notes, "Whilst treatment of the Loyalists is not one of the things which we view with pride, it was not nearly so severe as the treatment of counter-revolutionary groups in the great revolutions of our time. Thousands in France, hundred of thousands in Russia, and millions in China were arbitrarily killed by revolutionaries for no other reason than that they were opposed to the new regime, or owned property that the new regime wanted. By contrast, in this country there were no mass expulsions, much less executions; and the great majority of American Loyalists never left the States but eventually became good American citizens. Also, a surprisingly large number who did leave, drifted back." (Ibid., p.8) The typical revolutionary of modem times never gained control or had influence during our revolution. The eaily agitators like Tom Paine, left soon after the war for France where he could gain a respectable hearing. The rowdy Sons of Liberty in Boston and Philadelphia quietly disappeared because, as Morison notes, "they had nothing constructive to offer, and the people simply forgot their existence: (Ibid., p. 28) Credit for this must go to the restraining hand of Christianity which held in the reins of the revolutionary impulse. The laws of Nature and Natures (jod held sway over the minds of the vast majority in this country so that lawlessness could not gain a foothold. The people here fought for the principle that there were laws that could not be annulled by kings or parliaments and were not about to fall into the same disrespect for divine, eternal authority they had observed in others.(TO BE CONTINVED) 18 f THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 'I October, 1996 In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty. Preston/Speed Publications, RR 4, Box 705, Mill Hall, Pa. 17751. Ph. (717) 726-7844 (c) 1996, hb. $20.00. Liberty or death. This was the stark choice the people of thirteenth/fourteenth century Scotland faced if they rose up against their English rulers. Many would say that it was no choice at all. How could the Scottish people ever hope to gain their freedom on the battlefield? Many of the nobles were English supporters. Few people could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English anny that would assuredly invade from the South. Edward I, the king of England, would qUickly and consistently resist any and all attempts by . Scotland to rule itself. The odds seemed insunnountable. Yet with the right leader, with a long tenn commitment and above all with Gods good providence it could be accomplished. Using Bums' masterful historical work, The Scottish War of Independence as his basis, G. A. Henty penned this thrilling account of Scotlands s)1ccessf)11 struggle for its independence. This heart- stopping aCCO)1nt makes for fascinating reading. Its importance is highlighted as the individ)1al reads with the knowledge that this fiction is solidly based on fact)1al events. At the O)1tset, the reader is introd)1ced to YO)1ng Archibald Forbes whose father has recently been killed and his land overtaken by the neighboring Kerr family The reader follows Archie as he grows into YO)1ng manhood and joins with William Wallace's small force in a determined effort to end English rule. Within the book's pages the reader meets William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and King Edward I. The pages are full of heroic activity, heated battles and heartless treachery Yet the book is far more. The heroes are tender warriors, determined to win on the battlefield, because of their great love for their homeland and their wives and mothers. Thro)1ghout the book the family's importance is seen in Archie's protection of his mother, the grief of family persecution, a surprising marriage and courageous family )1nity in chaotic times. The book becomes a real page turner as heroes face hand to hand combat and imminent death upon imprisonment with seemingly no way of escape. Scattered thro)1ghout the book are several pages of narrative. These pages are easily read and remind the reader of Henty's desire to be historically accurate. These pages add to the educational benefits of this book. Admittedly, I knew little of this era of Scottish history It is seldom if ever taught in schools. These valiant men who fought in freedom's cause are too important to be overlooked or ignored. Henty wrote these books as adventure reading for boys. As an adult I found this one (as well as previously published volumes) to be highly informative, engrossing and entertaining. God's providence is clearly seen on page after page. What a reminder that our unchanging God continues to work providentially in every event in our own day As we well know such providence does not work always in the way we desire. This is seen in the book. A hero, William Wallace, dies. Will anyone be raised up to effectively take his place as leader? Scottish soldiers visit the Irish and ask for their help. The request is denied. How can the beleaguered forces press on? At what personal expense does help come from some former enemies? Answers to these questions highlight God's good providence. Henty, writing during the Victorian period, does not write history with Hollywood glitz in mind nor with a desire to please man's depraved nat)1re. He rightly knew that accurate historical writing has its own unique glamour. After all, fact)1al historical writing reflects God at work in history Who, then, could lightly ask for more glamour than God's handiwork provides? Reading this volume reminded me of the excitement conveyed in good historical writing as well as the education that can be gleaned. Don't miss out on either. Buy a copy for yourself. Read it and share it with your family Q The Theme Is Freedom: Religion, Politics, and the Amelican Tradition by M. Stanton Evans. 422 First Street SE, Suite 300, Washington D.C. 20003, 366 pgs., hb, 1994, $24.95. During the week of July 4th, one or more poll results were released, shOwing the little knowledge many citizens have regarding the origin of the annual Fourth of July celebration in America. Accompanying this is the increasing demand by many for the civil government to insure their multiple rights, October, 1996 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 19 defined by themselves, are granted and protected. The examples are but a few that could be given to show the timeliness and importance of the publication of The Theme Is Freedom. Contrary to the flow of modem thought and c;:ulture, the author does not ground the freedoms we have historically enjoyed in human autonomy Instead, he rightly grounds our liberties within the outworking of Christian principles. The author defines freedom in these words: Freedom in these pages means the absence of coercion - to the extent that this is feasible in organized society It means the ability of human beings to act in . voluntary fashion, rather than being pushed around and forced to do things (p. 23). Accompanying such freedom is self-government. The Citizenry must act in accord with moral law under the omnipresent eye of God. This results in an obedient people who do not just obey because some authority is in the area. They are aware of a higher authOrity to whom they must one day give an account. Again, quoting Mr. Evans: Self-government required observance of the moral law, respect for the rights of others, restraint upon the passions. Virtue was thus a necessary precondition to a regime of freedom, and a nation that lost its religiOUS moorings was considered ripe for tyranny (p. 35). This thinking goes against current teaching that religious absolutes lead to repression. The author tellingly shows the despotism that can easily flow from a government that derlies religiOUS absolutes. In the chapters that follow, the author provides a wealth of infonnation showing the influence of Christian thinking and beliefs on medieval governing philosophy a:nd the development of common law. It was this heritage that the English to American shores. The author rightly points the application of Christian thought to the development of governmental philosophy in America, rather than the influence ofJohn Locke and otHers who are often and wrongly given the credit. Only as we understand key Christian thinking, such as the existence of a higher law than that of earthly kings, the fact of original sin necessitating checks and balances and the results of a king or a people breaking contract unilaterally, can we understand our political heritage. Having provided and developed this basis for liberty, the author looks at the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in terms of it. The author's research 20 THE COUNSEL of ChalcedOIl October, 1996 and application provides gratifying reading particular+y for those who are unaware of . the heritage of our freedoms. Naturally, the writer clearly shows that the French Revolution was in many ways opposed to the principles that resulted in the fighting of the War for Independence.Mr: Evans also examines the connection of civil government and religion and the misinterpretation of this concept by the Supreme Court. As go.od as .the book is, it is made better by the excellent bibliography the author provides. Many today are anxious to study history on their own, so they can be more discerning of revisionist history This bibliography provides numerous resources for those interested. The index is also useful for using the book as a reference ona variety of subjects. We live in a day in which historical knowledge is on the wane. This book is a helpful antidote. It can be read with pleasure by those aware of the origin of our freedoms. Those with little knowledge of the roots of our liberties can read . this with great profit. It is particularly important that college students read this material that they might be equipped to deal with the misinformation they may receive iJ;l. their American history classes. Q