KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! L O N G G R E E N B A P T I S T C H U R C H C H R I S T I A N E D U C A T I O N H O U R T H E L O R D S D A Y, S E P T E M B E R 1 4, 2 0 1 4 M R. D A V I D M O Y E R, T E A C H E R D R. T H O M A S C O R S O N, S U B S T I T U T E
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! Apologies to anyone with red color blindness Not trying to be silly or gimmicky, but where possible, I am trying to be an interesting teacher An alert teacher does not want to miss an opportunity for a good lesson Christian education should always be centered and founded on the Word of God, and most of the time should be direct Bible study However, the well-educated Christian will see all of life and the universe under God s authority
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! Our understanding of life and the universe is under the authority of God s Word and is illuminated by the Word of God. Occasionally may there be some topics that are not direct Bible study, which are worthy of our learning as welleducated Christians under the Lordship of Christ? Some of these topics would not be appropriate to the morning service in the worship of God alone, but may they be instructive to a gathered group of believers, even in anticipation of our hour of worship?
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! So what is today? All right, yes we know it is September 14, 2014! And yes, it is indeed principally the Lord s Day! And no, the Lord s Day should not be confused with soccer tournaments, the Orioles, the Super Bowl, Mother s Day, and civic occasions in its intent of holy rest and adoration of the Creator God. We do not worship America, but we are citizens or guests in this country and we ought to be responsible and aware as part of Christian excellence and showing loving concern for our neighbor, who may not share our Christian faith.
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! September 13-14, 2014 is indeed the 200 th anniversary of the Battle of Fort McHenry in the context of the War of 1812. It was 200 years ago last night that the bombs were bursting in air, Francis Scott Key was out on a British ship in the Baltimore harbor, and Fort McHenry was under attack. It was 200 years ago this morning that the dawn s early light revealed a star-spangled banner still waving the flag was still there!
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! Finally, a Christian teacher certainly does not want to mislead or deceive. Today is not primarily a class on the composition of The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812. However, I would like to focus on two individuals, whose names are frequently associated with this night and day in history 200 years ago. I did not know them. I have not studied their lives in-depth. I am relying on secondary sources and am only focusing on a few elements of their lives.
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! Hopefully you will find these elements of interest and perhaps will learn some things about which you were previously unaware. And yes, some of you may find the title Key Lessons on Fort McHenry too gimmicky, and some of you will find it creative (I hope)! The two individuals: Francis Scott Key James McHenry
Francis Scott Key August 1, 1779- January 11, 1843 Born in Western Maryland ( Terra Rubra ); well-to-do family Influenced by his grandmother, Ann Arnold Ross Key, who lost her sight in a fire in seeking to rescue 2 servants; she was a strong Christian even with her affliction.
Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key stayed with his grandmother during his study at St. John s College, Annapolis, Maryland Became an attorney, though considered the Christian ministry Said that he led family devotions twice daily Negotiated the release of his friend, Dr. William Beanes
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY When? Just before the ca. 25 hour bombardment of Fort McHenry, beginning the morning of September 13, 1814 and lasting through the night to the morning of September 14, 1814. Began his now-famous poem, The Defense of Fort McHenry, later renamed The Star Spangled Banner.
John Randolph 1773-1833 Roanoke, Virginia Served in the U. S. House of Representatives & the Senate Also as Minister to Russia
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY Francis Scott Key Letter to John Randolph: Georgetown, January 20, 1814 My dear Friend, -- I have no news that I think would interest you. Cheves [i.e. Langdon Cheves] is said to have been made Speaker [took office January 19, 1814], against the wishes of the administration party, who were very active for Grundy. I cannot help thinking his election a favorable circumstance. [Explanatory brackets have been added; not original to the letter.]
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY Francis Scott Key Letter to John Randolph: I can hear nothing of the book you mention (English) from any one but Swift, who says he heard it spoken of in New-York as an ingenious performance. I would read it, and give you my opinion of it, if I came across it, provided it was not too long. I don t believe there are any new objections to be discovered to the truth of Christianity, though there may be some art in presenting old ones in new dress.
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY Francis Scott Key Letter to John Randolph: My faith has been greatly confirmed by the infidel writers I have read; and I think such would be the effect upon any one who examined the evidences. Our Church recommends their perusal to students of divinity, which shows she is not afraid of them. Men may argue ingeniously against our faith as indeed they may against any thing but what can they say in defence of their own?
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY Francis Scott Key Letter to John Randolph: I would carry the war into their own territories. I would ask them what they believed. If they said they believed any thing, I think that thing might shown to be full of more difficulties, and liable to infinitely greater objections than the system they opposed, and they more credulous and unreasonable for believing it. If they said they believed nothing, you could not, to be sure, have any thing further to say to them.
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY Francis Scott Key Letter to John Randolph: In that case, they would be insane, or, at best, illy qualified to teach others what they ought to believe or disbelieve. I can never doubt (for we have the word of God for it, and it is so plainly a consequence of his goodness) that all who inquire, with sincerity and earnestness which
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY Francis Scott Key Letter to John Randolph: so awful a subject requires, will find the truth Seek and ye shall find. Did you ever read Grotius de Veritate I should like to see an infidel attempt an answer to that book. [Again, this letter was written January 20, 1814 and perhaps should be as memorable as Francis Scott Key s September 1814 poem, though for very different reasons and a different battle!]
James McHenry November 16, 1753 May 3, 1816 Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland Immigrated to America at age 18 years (1771) Studied medicine under Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia First joined the American forces during a seige of Boston in 1775 as a volunteer surgeon
James McHenry Later became part of Pennsylvania s 5 th Battalion Came to attention of George Washington in 1778 after being captured by the British at Fort Washington, PA; paroled and rejoined the Continental Army at Valley Forge in March 1778 Selected as an assistant secretary on Washington s staff
James McHenry 1781: elected to Maryland State Legislature; served 13 years
Why Do We Have James McHenry s Signature?
James McHenry 1781: elected to Maryland State Legislature; served 13 years Served in the Continental Congress; in 1787, he represented Maryland at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia In 1796, he was appointed the nation s 2 nd Secretary of War by George Washington
James McHenry In 1797, the United States built its first fort and named it in honor of James McHenry James McHenry s son participated in the 1814 defense of Baltimore.
The Maryland Bible Society in 2014!
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! While the full-time ministry of the Word of God is to be by no means denigrated and while those so gifted & called to the work of the ministry ought to be highly-esteemed for their labor & responsibility, we do not want to miss the rich sense of Christian vocation that allows one to take one s occupation and live to the glory of God in the light of His Word. Baker, homemaker, trash collector, plumber, teacher, lawyer, physician, et. al. (not meaning to be exhaustive or exclusive in this list).
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! These men were known for their Christian faith and their excellent testimonies. While Francis Scott Key and James McHenry lived in a unique time, place, and period of history, their lives do illustrate being active citizens of this world even as they had a deep sense of their Christian faith and of eternity. There is godly wisdom and discernment to be had with respect to how one engages with this world. Not all may be alike in their calling in the degrees of engagement.
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! For example, not all may feel called of the Lord to serve in a legislature or in the military or to be directly involved in the conflicts of this world. However, do you think there is a sense in which those who are Christians ought to be among the best of citizens and in a discerning way render to Caesar what is Caesar s and to God what is God s? Ought we to be conscientious in paying our taxes, in voting, in obeying the law, and in being aware of issues in our temporal existence, even as we seek to bring eternal perspective and godly wisdom to bear?
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! And though we may not feel called to political office or may conscientiously object to certain military actions, is there any proper sense that we ought to show honor to whom honor is due with respect to those who are in authority and with respect to fellow believers who may feel called to serve in roles of civic authority as their given occupation? Ought we to pray for them? And though your occupation may be very secular in its orientation, what difference does the light of Christ and His Word make to the way you order your life & work and seek to serve God and love your neighbor?
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! If you are visiting today or are not an American citizen, how do you see these questions and principles in relation to where God has allowed you to be born and live? We understand that being an American does not necessarily mean being a Christian, and certainly not all Christians are Americans. What Biblical passages do come to your mind as you think about what it means to be a citizen of the kingdom of God and a citizen of this world?
KEY LESSONS ON FORT MCHENRY! Francis Scott Key and James McHenry had their God-given time and place. They were both alive on September 14, 1814. They served God in their generation. However, manifestly, you are the one alive today, September 14, 2014. As we enter into the hour of worship, may we glorify God and be stimulated to love & good works as responsible citizens of His eternal kingdom and concerned citizens of the world in which God has placed us.