Reading: a thing in itself

While he was an Ambassador to Russia in 1811, John Quincy Adams wrote in a letter to his son:

I hope you have now arrived at an age to understand that reading, even in the Bible, is a thing in itself, neither good nor bad, but that all the good which can be drawn from it, is by the use and improvement of what you have read, with the help of your own reflections. Young people sometimes boast of how many books, and how much they have read; when, instead of boasting, they ought to be ashamed of having wasted so much time, to so little profit. I advise you, my son, in whatever you read, and most of all in reading the Bible, to remember that it is for the purpose of making you wiser and more virtuous.

Even though I have a hard time digesting the part about being ashamed of reading a lot of books, I find that I agree in spite of myself, because of what value is reading if the lessons learned are not taken to heart and put to use every day in one’s own life?

You may have seen the article on the sidebar titled “A look back on my Vassal’s Guild” about the servitude book club I and a few friends did. If you read it I’m sure you noticed that we went through those books for a reason: so we could observe the examples of the characters, realize where each of us fails, and then apply the lessons learned to our own lives. This is the way Mr. Adams is telling his son to read. Books are full of meaning and we have to know how to use what we read.

It turns out that the way a person thinks and what he thinks about cannot help but appear in his writing; thus an author’s worldview will become apparent when you read carefully and observantly. “Reading speed is totally irrelevant,” notes James Sire, author of How to Read Slowly. “If you think you can learn to read well without [re-reading often] I ask you to re-read anyway. I am not insulting your intelligence by doing this. Good readers re-read many things many times.” And when you do this, besides catching details you would miss reading fast, you uncover the message the author has placed there, perhaps unconsciously. You will be able to tell what they think about God, creation, the purpose of living, the family, money and education.

Depending on who you are and what your worldview is, you may or may not agree with what is being revealed. As a Christian who believes in the sanctity of marriage, I would like to thank Gene Stratton-Porter for stating-through Leslie-in Michael O’Halloran: “It’s my opinion that modern marriage would be more satisfactory if the engaged parties would not come so nearly being married, for so long before they are. There is so little left for afterward, in most cases, that it soon grows monotonous.” Indeed she says it plain and clear, what today’s youth need so badly to hear.

With fiction the reader has to look for the worldview while with other kinds of writing it is easier to spot. Take a biographical volume as an example. In The Letters and Lessons of Theodore Roosevelt for His Sons Doug Phillips has compiled the writings of our most beloved president to form not only a history of TR but also a guidebook for a boy’s life. (It is published by Vision Forum, along with The Bible Lessons of John Quincy Adams for His Son.) Teddy wrote straight from his manly heart about school, sporting, behavior, and life events in letters to his sons while they were separated. Here he tells “Blessed Old Ted:”

The thing to do while at Harvard is to attract as little attention as possible, do not make a fuss about the newspaper men and camera creatures by letting it be seen that you do not like them. I believe it is just an unpleasant thing that you will have to live down. Ted, I have had an enormous amount of unpleasant things that I have had to live down in my life at different times and you have begun to have them now. (paraphrased)

TR bestowed advice and gave encouragement, all while holding firm convictions which he makes plain in his letters, essays and autobiographical memoirs included in this book. Under such titles as The Vigor of Life and Character & Success his boyhood, life as a cowboy, adventures and presidency are recounted for the reader. I want to include a few of my favorite lines from these insightful sections.

What we need is to turn out of our colleges young men with ardent convictions on the side of the right; not young men who can make a good argument for either right or wrong as their interest bids them. (page 177)

But a man whose business is sedentary should get some kind of exercise if he wishes to keep himself in as good physical trim as his brethren who do manual labor. (page 198)

No community is healthy where it is ever necessary to distinguish one politician among his fellows because “he is honest.” (page 290)

Here opinion is expressed outright and again I highlighted these sentences because I agree with them. Whether a different reader would agree with them--for instance you--depends upon your (that’s right) worldview: your beliefs about everything at large and these subjects in particular (lawyers, physical fitness, honesty).

Another type of literature I especially enjoy is theology. Or---better---books talking flat out about Christianity. They say what they believe and believe what they say. One doesn’t have to dig much farther than the Foreword to discover the writer’s worldview but that’s a good thing because it allows Believers to read books that will build their faith without flipping through a shelf of rubbish.

Right now I am reading the C.S. Lewis classic Mere Christianity. Even though I have probably underlined nearly forty percent of this amazing manuscript, I am left speechless with how to describe it and unsure of which part to quote to you. It is obvious what Lewis believes--what his worldview is--but it is even more obvious what he wants us to believe: the truth about the Faith. “We are living in a part of the universe occupied by the rebel. Enemy-occupied territory--that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” A holy war with a glorious rapture and a happy ending--or non-ending; at any rate it will only be happy and glorious for those who place their lives in Christ’s hands. That is what it’s all about.

But yet all the small details of life on earth must not be forgotten. As a homeschooler you realize how important it is to train up children in a Godly way as they are the leaders of the future. Dr. Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, a ministry to impoverished children, knows that also and pleads on behalf of all children in a book written directly to Christians. He urges us to turn a hearing ear to the problems they are facing and reminds us that they are Too Small to Ignore. Dr. Stafford grew up as a missionary kid in West Africa and experienced poverty, abuse and bewilderment first hand. “Now when I speak to audiences, I often say that everything I really need to lead a worldwide child-development ministry I learned from the poor themselves…they taught me what matters most.” So in this published plea he shares what he learned, tells about his life, and plainly yet masterfully explains why he believes it is so important that American Christians wake up to the needs of children, both those under their roofs and those with no roof at all. He shows how we can make a difference in the life of a child, and states that--while it does take money--it also requires much more. This book was actually a very sad read because of the child abuse portrayed but the message is so important that I must say one thing: even if you don’t read any other title I have mentioned, please make sure you read this book. It will change the way you view children--and the world’s problems--in a very positive and Biblical way.

And now since I am not confident that the main point has been understood clearly amid all the distraction of quoting different authors I will state it again and conclude the thoughts: reading is a thing in itself, neither good nor bad, but all the good which can be drawn from it is by the use and improvement of what you have read. Therefore learn to read critically, alertly and slowly, making note of the author’s worldview—his or her beliefs and values. In non-fiction it is easy to spot as the author may state what he believes outright, trying to convert you. (This is nothing to be afraid of as long as the author is a Christian. If he is not, you may want to read anyway but proceed with caution.)

In fiction an author’s beliefs may be hidden: sometimes they will be easy to uncover while at others they will remain a mystery. But some hint will surface if you watch closely, and you will become a little more mature. Thus, reading lots of book is nothing to be ashamed of if you read for the right reason. Armed with the knowledge that comes from careful and deliberate book learning you will be able to make wise, educated and Biblically sound decisions in your journey called Life.

There are so many good books to read and think about: if you love pondering the messages presented in various types of literature, I’d like to hear what your thoughts are and what your favorite books happen to be. Please post a comment or contact me for further discussion: sdwillard@gmail.com

Strong governments

Be sure to read Joel Belz's column in the July 22 issue of WORLD Magazine.

It's right on, and I heartily agree that people want to be lightly governed by strong governments.

Announcement: Thanks for caring (and praying)

You all asked about it. Over and over your inquiring lips wanted to know how it turned out. I said "They will announce it in June or early July." Was I accepted to be an intern at Vision Forum next fall?

No. Here's why: "We received over 40 applications and were extremely challenged to choose this years class," writes Kevin Turley, director of operations at Vision Forum. "Regretfully, we can only take a few men."

And since the eligible ages are 18-24 and I am on the youngest end, the older men who have probably tried to get the position before should of course receive priority.

Mr. Turley continues, "Even though we will not be laboring together this year, please know we were encouraged by the brief time we were able to talk to all of you and look for great things in your future. How encouraging it is to know that there are young men living a conscious, dedicated life for the Lord!"

I agree. Perhaps next year the time will be right. Thanks for caring, asking, and praying.

Chickens

Early Monday morning, our little chicks arrived at the post office. We decided to try raising chickens for meat and for eggs, but this is a new experience for our family, so it will be interesting to see how we do.

Back when I was publishing The Recipe Monthly, Ian liked to write poems for the covers that reflected what the food theme for that month was. Here's the one he penned for the Chicken issue...

I’m hungry for chicken,

But what should I do?

I ain’t a rich man,

And that ‘tis totally true.

I ain’t got ‘nuff money

To buy an ‘pensive cookbook

And with no directions

I can’t even cook.

I ain’t got ‘nuff money

To go to a restaurant

Or buy a precooked chicken

At the store, but please don’t taunt...

The Recipe Monthly

Is cheap and it’s good;

Well I’ll raise my own chickens,

To eat like I should!

They'll be ready to butcher this fall-Dad's looking forward to some great meals!

Remember the Men in Uniform

I do not usually read forwards and chain mail, but this one--since it wasn't messily-typed and junky looking--caught my attention. And it kept it.

This Independence Day, I hope you will take more than a moment to remember our men stationed around the world fighting for our country. Regradless of your views on the war, Bush, and domestic spying, we all still have a duty to "support our troops." May this open your mind to the sacrifice thousands of young men are making. Young men hardly older then me...

The average age of the military man is 20 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work, but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a little selfish and would rather wax his own car than wash his father's.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a "nothing special", has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll, country, hip-hop or jazz.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. He is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. After you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops stationed the world over. Pray that they will be protected, that their families will be blessed, and tell Yahweh you are thankful for men who are willing to die for our freedom.

It was fun and fun is good

I had a window seat and the pilot flew low enough that I was able to enjoy some great scenery on the flight back home. I saw the Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin countryside and also enjoyed being ontop of Lake Erie and Lake Michigan.

We did not completely finish our newspaper on Friday night, simply because we ran out of time. Even being allowed to work an extra hour did not fill the blank spaces on two of the pages. But the awards ceremony actually favored our colony (or small group, which consisted of five boys) by giving us the following prizes:

1. Highest Total of Points earned during the week by having ultra-clean rooms, always getting to meals on time, and winning many of the games--Rhode Island Colony

2. Second Best Skit which mimicked the personalities of Nathan & Lisa, two of the funnest counselors ever--Rhode Island Colony

3. The Roger Sherman Award for Servitude and Humility shown to other campers throughout the week--Jonathan Arena, Rhode Island Colony

4. The Thomas Jefferson Award for Creativity in Writing--Joseph Clay, Rhode Island Colony

5. Best Feature Story for an interview with Gene Edward Veith--Jonathan Arena of The Rhode Island Rambler

6. Best Overall Newspaper because of the clean layout, stylish design, sound articles, and opinion page consisting of an editorial (by Seth D.), news cartoon, and letter to the editor--THE RHODE ISLAND RAMBLER

I was extremely surprised that we received such a large amount of awards. I must say that the other colonies did a great job on their papers as well; for instance, the ladies who won for best news story and best editorial definitely deserved it, as did the other students who got Jefferson-type awards. And the skit that placed in front of ours was obviously superior-a very humorous (and accurate!) representation of Lisa's character.

Nevertheless, we walked off the stage with certificates, Patrick Henry pennants, and a party-in-a-bag that made me appreciate the fun week I had and the new friends I made. While I still don't know exactly what career I will end up in-or what college I will go to-I can say with certainty that I'm glad I went to Journalism Camp.