Who said it?
“I can’t help but wonder, are we now seeing the fruit of education that predominantly throughout our country has stopped performing any teaching on the basis of moral principles or what is right or what is wrong?” That question was posed by former American President Ronald Reagan, as reported in The Arizona Republic, April 11, 1987.
President Reagan, an Irishman, exercised visible character while in office. Another famous man, who is remembered today, also exercised character. That man was Patrick.
I personally have Irish roots, but Patrick did not. In fact, Patrick was the son of a British nobleman. At 16 years of age, he lived the good life, disliked school, and was apt to play truant with his friends. That was before a day in about 420 A.D. when Irish raiders arrived on British soil. Patrick hid at the edge of the woods as the Irishmen burned his family home. He thought he was safe, but suddenly, he was captured from behind, bound, and taken by boat to Ireland. Patrick, son of a nobleman, was sold into slavery in Ireland. Patrick, son of a nobleman, became a sheep herder. Enduring poundings with stout cudgels, he spent his days and nights in mountain pasture with no friends but the sheep.
Patrick escaped after six years as a slave. Climbing mountains and slogging through bogs, he fled to the coast, and convinced a captain to take him away from Ireland. He was free!
Patrick had been back in England only a few years, however, when he decided to revisit Ireland. He did not return seeking revenge, or compensation for the abuse he had suffered. Patrick went back to Ireland in 430 A.D. to take the message of Jesus Christ.
Character – in Saint Patrick, the slave meant having the courage of his convictions. Patrick had formed strong convictions that the Bible was true, and must be obeyed. He decided to stand up for what he believed – and to stand up to the cruel Irishmen.
Patrick worked in the land of his slavery for thirty dangerous years. Many Irishmen wanted to kill him. Twice, his enemies put him in prison, but Patrick continued to exercise the courage of his convictions. He stood firm. “Daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity,” he wrote, “but I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself into the hands of God Almighty who rules everywhere.”
Patrick, later to be named a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, died in Ireland on March 17, about 460 A.D.
Character – in Saint Patrick, the slave meant having the courage of his convictions. Teenagers identify with Patrick’s story, since it began when Patrick himself was a teenager. Teens identify with Andrew, too, the sixteen-year old in Passport to Courage. This teen novel subtly shows teens the importance of exercising the courage of their convictions, standing against peer pressure. Teens need the courage of their convictions.
Looking back at President Reagan’s words above, I would say that educators, too, need to exercise the courage of their convictions if they are to teach on the basis of moral principles. Saint Patrick’s Day would be a good time to start.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?