His name was Nate. He was a
school teacher. At only 19 years old, he had
already finished all of his education. He had a
full and adventurous life in front of him, the
world was at his feet. Those who knew Nate said
that he was kind, gentle, athletic, intelligent,
a godly young man. Nate had everything.
And then came the war. There was no draft, no
requirement, an all volunteer army, nothing to
force him, nothing to get Nate off his track,
except one thing -DUTY. Nate felt a strong sense
of duty. So, Nate joined up to fight. And he
became one of the first in our America to feel
that duty, that great yearning for freedom, for
peace, and the willingness to put his very life
on the line to serve, to fight, to protect.
And just where do all of our “Nates” come from?
They are school teachers, factory workers,
bankers, accountants, nurses, farmers, they come
from all walks of life – but they have this one
thing in common – “They love America”. It was
patriot Daniel Webster who said “when it comes
to our feeling for our nation, our love for
America, let our object be our country, our
whole country, and nothing but our country. And
by the blessings of God, may our country become
a vast and splendid monument. Not of oppression
and terror, but of wisdom, of peace, and of
liberty upon which the world may gaze with
admiration forever”. And that’s the feeling we
should all have for our nation. America
Let me take a moment here and ask this question
– “Do you love America”? I know you do, and so
do I. And because we love America we should and
must be praying with all of our hearts that
America will find its’ way back to the Godly
principles that started it all. Will you pray
with me today? “Oh God, bring us back”.
And just what became of our school teacher,
Nate? Our young American patriot who felt the
call of duty? He joined in the cause for
freedom. Not long after joining he was moved to
the rank of 1st lieutenant of his 7th
Connecticut regiment. Then, when his commanding
officer formed an elite, group of Rangers, now
21 year old Nate volunteered.
But what was really needed was a brave volunteer
to act as a spy, to go behind enemy lines, to
get certain information crucial to an American
victory. And, once again, the call of duty, and
Nate answered the call – even though a captured
spy would see certain and immediate death – Nate
answered the call. He slipped behind enemy
lines, and disguised as a school teacher looking
for work, he set out to gather the information
needed by his commander.
He got the needed information, and with
information in hand, on September 21, 1776, Nate
attempted to cross back out of enemy territory
and, somehow, he was found out, arrested, and
sentenced to hang the very next day.
That next day, September 22, 1776, this young 21
year old patriot, Nate, Nathan Hale, stood on
the gallows ready to be hanged. Those in
attendance later testified saying “He behaved
with great composure and resolution, saying he
thought it the duty of every good soldier to
obey the orders given by his commander in chief
. He exhorted the spectators there to at all
times be prepared to meet death in whatever
shape it may appear”.
Nathan Hale’s final words before hanging? “I
only regret that I have but one life to loose
for my country”. Then Nathan Hale was hanged.
His body was left hanging for several days near
the site of his execution for all to see; later,
he was buried in an unmarked grave. It was
reported that George Washington, his commander
in chief, when he heard the news of this brave
young man’s death – George Washington wept.
And there you have it – a seemingly
insignificant school teacher, never wrote
anything important, never owned any property,
never had a permanent job, never married, never
had children, and failed in his last mission.
But yet he is remembered – why? Duty. Duty. And
today each of us has a duty.
Today, this day, what will you do with your own
Duty?
"DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. THESE THREE
HALLOWED WORDS REVERENTLY DICTATE WHAT A SOLDIER OUGHT
TO BE, WHAT YOU CAN BE, WHAT YOU WILL BE. THEY ARE THE
SOLDIER'S RALLYING POST TO BUILD COURAGE WHEN COURAGE
SEEMS TO FAIL, TO REGAIN FAITH WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE
LITTLE CAUSE FOR FAITH, TO CREATE HOPE WHEN ALL HOPE IS
GONE. DUTY - HONOR - COUNTRY."
As we fight to keep America on track as a nation of high character and moral integrity, some are losing their will to fight. What should we do?
We all know the song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. The words were written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1862 during our terrible Civil War. We all know the words, but what about the 4th verse? It says,
“He has sounded forth a trumpet and shall never call retreat. He’s sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat. Oh be quick my soul to answer Him, be jubilant my feet, our God is marching on!”
Does God want us to stop the fight to save our America? No, he wants us to remember his promise, “If God be with you, who can stand against you?”. We must work as if everything depends on us, and pray as if everything depends on God. How true.
