Lesson 138: "The God of Our Fathers”

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

I had the most pleasant surprise when I went to mail call this week. I received from my dear friend, Rick Revel, a copy of his latest endeavor entitled, Shiloh, The Many Faces of War. I couldn’t wait to get home and watch it. And may I state that I was not disappointed but rather amazed at the professional performances, footage and the heart portrayed via the movie. Let me give you my poor descriptor of the saga destined to be a classic.

Rick’s latest song entitled, Stand for Our Fathers, provides a wondrous visual introduction and a gripping review of the war, honoring those that fought for “dear Ole Dixie” and those that fought for the “grand Ole Union”. There were two sides, two causes in which they embraced but ALL were Americans!

The journey begins when Doctor Fanis Bell and his young grandson enter Shiloh Church and Fanis reflects upon the years before the war when he was a country doctor living on the Blanton Plantation. He talks of his two sons and daughter along with his lovely wife Sarah Grace. Then he begins reflecting upon the beginnings of the war that leads to a place of peace turned into a time of war. As stated in the preview, “The plight of Dr. Bell’s family will pull on your heart strings without fail.”

As I watched this beautifully portrayed film and listened to Dr. Bell tell the story of Job and the many tests that he went through, I began thinking of all those men that had suffered for their beliefs and gave their all for the cause. Some gave all but all gave some. They followed their faith and they followed their cause, willing to lose everything for their rights of independence. The first patriots, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, the signers of the Declaration of Independence and others loyal to the First Rebellion would have been tried and hung for treason if the British had prevailed. In fact such men as John Hart, Abe Clark, Richard Stockton and others suffered at the hands of the British. John’s home was burnt to the ground, his livestock killed and his thirteen children went into hiding in fear of reprisal. Clark’s sons were captured and placed on the Jersey. Stockton became destitute due to the policy of destroying a ‘rebel’ will by demoralizing him. There were many others. 

I think of others during the Second War of Independence or as written by some, the Civil War that lost all. Some were very famous, such as President Davis, Stonewall, JEB Stuart, the General Bishop, Cleburne and Nathan Bedford Forrest. What about General Lee? Some say that because he did not lose his life or any of his sons, he did not pay the high price as others. But he personifies the sacrifices made by every man and woman that fought for their cause, be it blue or gray. It is true that his boys did not die, but they suffered and at Appomattox, Lee possessed the worse nightmare of a parent, for he did not know if his sons were alive. In fact rumors had circulated that one was dead, one was missing and one was captured. To his relief and through prayers, the rumors turned out to be false. But he lost a dear daughter in October of 1862 and could not even go to the funeral. His beloved daughter in law, Charlotte, died and his namesake passed on. His letters show his grief. He lost Arlington, Shirley, White House, and even his citizenship but clung to his dignity, honor and most importantly, his faith. Such are the hearts of patriots! 

Every family offered up their loved ones to fight for an ideal, a cause and/or the beliefs. All lost something during that terrible time when America was pulled in two directions. All prayed to the same God then. Is it not strange that all men and women in time of trouble find themselves on their knees asking for God’s help? Is it not wondrous that the same God of yesterday is the same God of today and will be the God of all tomorrows? Is it not wonderful that the God we pray to is the one that was the ‘God of our Fathers’ and will be the God of our children’s children? So it was with our fathers’ father. So it is with us. So it will be, as long as we remember the Founder of the Feast and that it is our charge to teach. The Heritage Keeper Motto is a grand statement that sums up the essence of what we must do, for our children’s legacy is resting upon our shoulders.

“The future of our past depends on what we do today.”

Thank you my dear friend Rick, for once again you have reminded us that it is our duty, our responsibility and our honor to offer the truths of our Fathers with pride in their sacrifices and most importantly to always honor the ‘God of our Fathers’. Shiloh, the Many Faces of War is a must, as it is a creation from a reenactor for the reenactor and serious history scholar. With sacred principles to maintain, I pledge to worship the ‘God of my Fathers’ forever and a day, as I remain your obedient servant in Christ, The Old General