The Greatest Conservative Generation

I have borrowed the title for this week's article from an editorial appearing in The Weekly Standard, January 7, 2013. The author, William Kristol, draws our attention to what has more recently come to be called, "The Greatest Conservative Generation." This particular accolade - "The Greatest Conservative Generation" - is well deserved, for it was that generation that demonstrated genuine American principles that grew out of their deep respect for the Bible as well as conservative principles that serve as the very fabric of this great nation. It was that generation that volunteered to go "over there" and defeat the powers that were ravaging Europe. With no thought for their own well being, a love for country, and an even greater love for freedom and liberty, they unselfishly left family, friends, and businesses behind and carried the torch of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to distant lands. From that great generation we were blessed with truly conservative leaders whose names are quickly fading into history: Bill Buckley, James Wilson, Milton Friedman, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Ronald Regan and Jack Kemp, to name but a few. These were what the author called "the greatest conservative generation." Quoting from the author of The Weekly Standard editorial: "It's been almost 60 years since Bill Buckley and his colleagues founded the National Review, standing 'athwart history, yelling STOP, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.'" How desperately we need another generation that will follow in the footsteps of those men such as Reagan, Buckley and Bork; a generation that will feel the passion of freedom and liberty; a generation that will accept responsibility, reason clearly, and lead courageously. One more observation from Kristol's editorial, and then some application for our consideration. In answer to the question as to why the trend in history is for each succeeding generation to drift from their roots, the author makes reference to a speech by Abraham Lincoln, delivered on January 27, 1838. In that speech Lincoln addressed the question of "the perpetuation of our political institutions." Lincoln was convinced that the great America experiment could be passed on to the next generation, and even beyond "for fifty times as long." Lincoln noted that the danger every generation faces is that of allowing the memory of the cause for which the previous generation made such great sacrifices to "grow more and more dim by the lapse of time." Then Lincoln made this astute observation: "In history, we hope, they will be read of, and recounted, so long as the Bible shall be read; but even granted that they will, their influence cannot be what it heretofore has been. Even then, they cannot be so universally known, nor so vividly felt, as they were by the generation just gone to rest." The point Lincoln made was that with each generation that passes, the personal involvement in the original movement or cause, fades proportionately. The "great generation" - those living during the time just prior to the Great Depression, and who are rapidly fading into history - will soon be only a memory to those of us who have taken up the mantle of leadership. Quoting again from Lincoln's speech on that cold January day in 1838, "Unless we, their descendents, supply their places with other pillars, hewn from the solid quarry of sober reason, we will lack the materials for our future support and defense." As I read this editorial I was struck with the point the author was trying to make as it applies to our spiritual roots. What has come to be referred to as "the restoration movement" has now spanned more than two centuries. That "great generation" consisting of such men as Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone, and 'Raccoon' John Smith, successfully passed the torch to the next generation. David Lipscomb, Tolbert Fanning, and J.W. McGarvey took up the vision and blessed that generation with the kind of leadership essential to the on-going effort to restore simple New Testament Christianity. Through the period of the Civil War, these men led the church here in America through troubled waters as they struggled with issues arising from the war itself, and confronted the liberal element that eventually culminated in the division over the instrumental music and missionary society. As that generation faded into history, others rose to follow in their train: N.B. Hardeman, Guy N. Woods, B.C. Goodpasture, G.K. Wallace, and Foy Wallace, to name but a few. Now the torch has been passed to my generation. And in the words of Lincoln, "Unless we, their descendants, supply their places with other pillars, hewn from the solid quarry of sober reason, we will lack the material for our future support and defense." But time stands still for no one, and the next generation must soon take up the torch we now carry. I am encouraged by young men who are now graduating from solid preacher training schools; men who have "hewn from the solid quarry of sober reason" a vision akin to that of previous generations; a vision of the restoration of primitive Christianity; a vision of faithful Christian living, moral responsibility, and courageous leadership. When we fade into history, and we lay our armor at the feet of Jesus, may it be said that ours was "The Greatest Conservative Generation." To that end we labor; to that end we strive! ~~~~~~ On a side note: Jon Kyl is one of those politicians whose career in Washington has been out of the ordinary. Kyl, who has served in the House of Representatives for eight years, and as Senator for eighteen years, is what we might call a "statesman" rather than a politician. Early in his political career Mr. Kyl formulated five rules by which he was determined to serve, and according to his contemporaries, he has managed to maintain an even keel in his life, while successfully serving those whom he represented. The five rules? Rule one: Know more! In his words, "If you know a lot about a subject, people will listen." Rule two: Don't seek credit! Quoting Ronald Reagan, "There's no limit to what a man can do or where he can do if he doesn't mind who gets the credit!" Rule three: Don't get a big head! Humility always makes the best servant. Rule four: Treat everybody decently! People tend to respond more favorably when you treat them like you would want to be treated. Rule five: Keep your principles! No wonder Jon Kyl was successful as a servant of the people. Every one of those rules in his life is Biblical in its basis, and has proven to be successful in any endeavor of life. Maybe some of us could learn a few lessons from a man whose conservative life style made him so influential a leader in Washington!

Tom Wacaster