2006 Kenty P.ssay Contest Winners

:Jv[o([y jInd Courtney jInderson . Molly and Courtney Anderson, members of the RPCUS, are second and third place

winners of the 2006 Henty Essay Contest sponsored by Vision Forum (visionforum.com). The topic of this year's essay was: "How G.A. Henty'sworks remind us of God's providence throughout history."

First Place was won by Rylan McQuade. Rylan, age 14, is the oldest of four brothers. His family will soon have a new baby sister from China. He lives with his family near Frank-furt, Germany.

Molly and Courtney are twin daughters of Oliver "Sonny" Anderson and his wife, Mela-nie. They are members of the Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCUS) in the Conyers-Covington, Ga. area (www.providencepeople.org). Molly and Courtney sing "The Leech's Daughters" on Judy Rogers' recording, Guard Your Heart (judyrogers.com). They also play violin on the documentary video production, Warriors of Honor, of which Mrs. Rogers was the music producer, celebrating the Christian character and faith of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

THE ROLE of PROVIDENCE in G.A. HENTY'S WRITINGS Molly Anderson

All too often providence has been neglected when history has been recorded or taught. Both agnostics and Christians agree that those who do not know history are likely to repeat history's mistakes. However, for the failures of history to be known and avoided in the future, history must be accurately preserved. The entire truth of history cannot be presented without recognizing providence. If we disregard the role of providence in history, we not only miss myriad lessons of God's goodness and power, but also fail to glorify Him. In an age when many denied the historical role of providence, God ordained that a man named George Alfred Henty record many times and events of history accurately and with a focus on the providence of God. Henty had a passion for preserving the mighty, historical acts of God for the next generation, and wrote scores of books in pursuance of this goal. God so blessed him and his work that we, in the fourth or fifth generation following him, are able to 'learn from his unique books. I have read over thirty of G.A. Henty's books, and from each of them have gained a more thorough appreciation of God's providence through history.

An overarching aspect in most of Henty's books is God's providence toward particu-lar nations. Henty believed that the Lord is high above all nations as Psalm 113 says, and thus in all his chronicles of the great historical struggles between nations he is able to show that God had a master plan. Toward the end of St. George for England, Henty de-

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scribes in detail the decisive battle of Poitiers. He recorded seemingly ,insignificant events in a sequence which clearly shows God's Providence toward England, narrating how the Cardinal of Perigord begged the King of France to offer a peace settlement to the English, which the French king hesitantly agreed to do. Though the Black Prince refused the terl'"Ds for peace, the Cardinal returned with altered terms, which the Black Prince again refused. Had this exchange not taken place, and occupied hours of time, the English would not have had time to fortify their position with trenches, and also may not have noticed that the right side of the hill, which they had thought a difficu.lt enough ascent to prevent succes~ful attack, was actually rather easy to climb ; and therefore conceived of and positioned a clever defense for that part of the hill before the battle commenced. These fortifications were very instrumental in the victory of the English at Poitiers, and consequently in the preservation of England as an independent nation. While the EngHsh may have thought the offer of peace inconsequential at the time, since they did not wish for nor agree to peace and were eager to begin the battle, after the battle no doubt they were thankful for the Cardinal's offer, and recognized the providence of God in the matter. Henty took the time to write of these things because he wanted his readers to understand that nations and their conflicts are controlled by the omnipotent hand of God.

A specific type of struggle was dear to Henty's heart: the fight of true Christians for the freedom to worship God. Some of his books, including St. Bartholomew's Eve and By Pike and Dyke concentrate on God's past works of providence toward His church. I believe that Henty voices his own con-viction through the mouth of the hero of By Pike and Dike, who says, "There is honor and glory in thestrug-gle [of the Netherlands to win freedom of worship] ... I venture my life for religion and freedom here." When I read Henty's books about religious conflicts I often remember II Thessalonians 1 :4-5, which similarly speaks of the glory of the perseverance of the church against persecution. As Henty reminds us, Christians did not lay down their lives only in defense of their personal faith, but of the church as a whole, b~lieving that God working through providence would never let His church die but keep her militant until He gave her complete victory as He promised. Henty gave us a very powerful example of this when he showed the faith of the Huguenots in providence, to preserve the Protestant church. It was coften very difficult for the Huguenots tdmaintain their hope and trust' in God's

preserva~ion'of Protestant worshipvvhen they suffered major setbacks, but they steadfastly believed in God's

providence to uphold their cause, encouraging each other even in their darkest times. As told in St. Bartholomew's Eve, after the terrible defeat of the Huguenots at the Battle of Moncontour the illustrious Admiral Coligny, general of the Huguenot forces who had been grievously wounded, was thinking disconsolately about the future of the Huguenot faith when a seriously injured Huguenot soldier by the name of L'Estrange was laid near him. Though in great pain and aware of the complete failure of the battle for the Huguenots,

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L'Estrange held out his hand to the Admiral, saying "Yet is God very gentle." The Admiral immediately roused his mind from despondency and replied "Thanks, comrade; truly God is merciful, and we will trust him always." After this the Admiral was able to recognize providences of God even amid ~he destruction, for he rejoiced that Princes of Navarre were both unhurt and still able and willing to further the Huguenot cause, and soon commenced giving orders to his army to prepare for the next military confrontation.

Another area in which providence works is the personal lives of Christians, which aspect, though we may sometimes overlook it as we view the grand scheme of the world's history, is nonetheless important. "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered," Jesus told His disciples in Luke 12. Henty, in showing specific works of providence in the individual lives of all his heroes and many other Christian characters, tells us that God has throughout history worked in the personal lives of all His people. One of my favorite examples is from The Cornet of Horse. The hero, a young Englishman named Rupert, was delayed from riding with his troop of cavalry because he had to dislodge a stone from his horse's hoof. When Rupert finally caught up to a troop of horsemen at a crossroads, he was captured by the men, who were in truth French soldiers, not his English comrades. This at first seemed to be just what Rupert called it: "horrible luck." In actuality it was neither horrible nor luck; for in his subsequent visit to the French court he was able to res-cue a young woman from an arranged marriage to a man who did not fear the Lord, and thus realized that it was providence that brought him, albeit through unpleasant means, to France. In later years Rupert in fact married the young lady, and was always grateful that God worked even the most disagreeable, difficult circumstances for his good, as was promised in Romans 8:28.

Like Rupert, often we do not recognize God's .work in troublesome situations while we are experiencing them. However, the more we study God's past acts of providence, the more likely we are to recognize His present works, and Henty's writings present to us mallY opportunities to see past works of providence. How encouraging it is to hear Henty's characters of In the Reign of Terror often repeat the phrase "thank God!" in response to merciful acts of providence while going through circumstances probably far darker than our most difficult times! How could Henty's characters have retained thankfulness and joy during persecution? They could only have been comforted by the knowledge that God was actively working for their good. God's providence shone as a lone light amid the darkness of their trials, and so can it shine to us if we believe that providence does work for our benefit even if we do not always grasp how. As the great Benjamin Palmer, a contempo-rary of Henty, realized, "Providence is a guide whether we can comprehend it or not. He shuts us up here and there, and there and here; and as we turn upon every side, we see but one path open before us; and just because it is the only path, we understand our duty to go forward in obedience to the divine command, and trust upon the divine privi ... lege and blessing." By reading Henty's .works we may come to a more full discernment of providence, for he illustrated it in countless examples with remarkable clarity born of complete faith. Although an understanding of providence is of great benefit in every area of Christian life, it is indispensable in the study of history, for in failing to recognize his-torical providence, we fail to honor God's omnipotence and sovereignty, and his care of and mercy toward His people. I am sure that every Christian who has read any of Henty's works has, as I have, thanked God that His providence has been recorded and praised by the faithful pen of G.A. Henty.

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FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MOLLY

Molly Anderson is 17 years old and is currently in her senior year of high school stud-ies. She has been taught at home for the majority of her school years and is a National Merit Commended Scholar, and also a Duke University TIP scholar. She is an award-winning violinist who shares God's gift of music in worship services, weddings and nursing homes, and teaches young students. Molly resides in Stockbridge, Georgia with her parents, her twin sister, and two younger brothers, Bryan and William. Bryan, age 13, is the keyboard-ist for the worship at the church. All four children often provide music for worship.

PROVIDENCE in the PAST: THE WRITINGS of G.A. HENTY Courtney May Anderson

In my study of history, nowhere else have I found the combination of truth and perspective which exists in the works of G.A. Henty. Two purposes ought to be pursued by a Christian in the reading of history: to glorify God for His providence throughout it, and to remember what He has done in it through His servants. These purposes, which have their root in the Scrip-tures, are intertwined so as to be inseparable; for history is made up of what God has accomplished, and what He does is always controlled by His divine providence. The writings of Henty make the pursuit of these goals easy and edifiying. Also, unless we remember history itself, we cannot remember God's providence in history. It is essential that modern Christians remember and recognize God's proVidence in history, for "if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11: 3) Henty's prolific and varied historical accounts are unsurpassed in reminding decades of Christians of the workings of provi-dence in the history of nations. The need for remembrance of providence in history is( evi-denced by the political and social condition of the United States: its Christian foundation is being "destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Henty worked to give knowledge of history so that Biblical foundations might endure. However, it is not 'only the political history of earthly nations which Henty explores; he follows spiritual history as well, for all Christendom is the heritage of the Protestant fai'th. '

The providence of God is a major theme in all of Henty's writings. It is my purpose to read history to find the providence of God; it was his purpose to show me that providence with clarity and context. Any novel by G.A.~enty>would illustrate this premise; however, I have chosen two which are partic~darly outstanding examples.'

The novel St. Bartholomew's Eve is, like most of Henty's books, a 'chronicle of events froi1l a time and place in history, with a fictionaL protagonist; as the name implies, the story is set in France during the Hugenot Wars. France is a part of Christian history, as since the time of Augustine there have been Protestant Christians in France; France was also renowned during the Protestant Reformation as "the Land of Calvin." Modern France is a terrifying reminder of what happens when a nation forgets the Lord and His provi- . dence to them in the past. Although our nation should observe Fran~e's example of the myriad ramifications for all aspects of$ociety when God is forgotten, p6,~Sibly the church could gain even more benefit from France,'s history. In the days prior to :the horrible mas-

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sacre of St. Bartholomew's Day, many families, pas .. tors, and congregations remained faithful to the Word of God; moreover, they were cheerful, even joyful for the chance to suffer for their Lord, and to be subjected to His providential plan for His church, confident that God uses the fires of persecution to refine His church. John Calvin summarized the reason for this attitude: "we are always to make progress, even unto death." This is exactly what the Hugenots did: they persevered in faith and sanctification through the revealed truth of God, though it meant death under the laws of France at that time. Practically, there is much to be learned from this book: places, battles, and political occurrences are accurately recorded, as are the names and actions of heroes of the faith who lost everything for the sake of Christ. Ultimately, it is this prayer which should be tak ... en from the book: "Spirit that made them live, inspire thou their children to follow in their train" (M. Vurpil ... lot). In St Bartholomew's Eve, Henty's design is to in-spire the spiritual descendents of the Hugenot martyrs to live by those principles for which they died. In my estimation, he accomplished it admirably.

Another book with powerful lessons of providence is With Lee in Virginia. Set in the South during the War Between the States, it explores causes of the war, happenings during it, and lasting effects of it; in it, Henty shows the divine providence which was continually overarching and undergirding the efforts of His people. G.A. Henty sought to remind readers of the religious causes and ramifications of the war. He told how the great leaders of the Confederacy were godly men fighting for godly principles in areas as broad as Christian culture and as specific as decentralized government He also told how the Reformed faith was what motivated countless men and boys to rise up to defend the South. Most importantly, he showed the grace and mercy of God in the course of the war. The Reverend J.t. Underwood, who also wrote about the war, said in reference to the purpose of the Confederates: "there is a thing better than peace: liberty." This idea is a recurring theme throughout With Lee in Virginia. Henty explores how God strengthened them to fight what they caned the Second War of Independence in a Christian manner and for Christian principles. He gave them resolve to continue in their cause; He gave them strength to act in accordance with their faith throughout the war. Though we still mourn the loss of so many godly men, and though we see that many of the principles for which they fought vanished from society as they died, we can thank God fervently for His providence in preserving their honor and strengthening their faith in the following generations.

Three more of Henty's books w,hich I have read have a continuous thread of provi-dence woven throughout. These are In Freedom's Cause, The Young Franc-Tireurs, and The Lion of St. Mark. The first is set in Scotland during the oppression of Protestantism by England. Henty draws together the historical events and shows how, while the Scottish people waited and struggled, God was preparing them for the time when He would finally

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end' their bondage. The defeats of Wallace and Comyn, which were disasters in terms of human judgment, were used by God to prepare the country for its final triumph under Robert the Bruce. In the second book, two English boys fight together for France against Germany. With these fictional characters, Henty draws a literary portrait representing the thousands of young men, often fifteen or sixteen years of age, who manfully fought. with French guerilla troops against the powerful German army to protect their faith, families, and country. In' the last book, stories of the Venetians' struggles against the Moors give us insight into the historical problems of a wealthy secular state and an established Muslim state. In the end, both are vain, for only a state which acknowledges God as its highest authority can have fruitful laws. In all of these books God's providence is made apparent; but in none of them did the religious and political leaders nor any of the people fully see the purpose of God in allowing certain events to happen, such as the loss of the Franco-German War as recounted in The Young Franc-Tireurs. However, we who have the luxury of looking back on the centuries of completed history can see the amazing providence of God's plans unfolded. Henty provides us this view; and when we have finished his books, we realize that there is not just a thread of providence running through the stories, but that the entire tapestry of all history is made up of innumerable threads of providence woven together. In expounding history, Henty demonstrates how each thread was particu-larly apPointed by God to fulfill its place in His cosmic tapestry.

The writings of G.A. Henty are invaluable for instruction in history, not only by rea-son of their accuracy, nor only because they are written so as to be memorable, but by reason of the perspective of God's sovereignty. Henty has inspired me to know the reality of God's providence in all things. By his illustrations of providence, he also encourages families to press forward in the faith for the ,glory of God as have numerous generations pefore them. The doctrines of God's sovereignty and providence as Henty reveals them must be the most encouraging of all doctrines. Not only is God in control of all things, but "all things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans,8:28). This is the essence of Henty's great understanding and pro:.. pounding of history within his stories. G.A. Henty, in reminding me of God's providence through history, calls me to trust in God's providence for the future. Finally, Henty has taught me much about the history of my faith and about God's total dominion over the af-fairs'of men. I praise God that G.A. Henty was committed to bringing the reality'of history to so many students, and rousing them to the battle for godliness and virtue as surely and clearly as with a trumpet call. G.-A. Henty: an inspiration, an encouragement; but above all, a teacher.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT COURTNEY

Courtney May Anderson is 17 years old and is currently in her senior year of high school studies. She has 'been taught at home for the majority of her school years and is a National Merit Semifinalist, and also a Duke University TIP scholar. She is also an award-winning violinist who shares God's gift of music in worship services, nursing homes, and at conferences, and teaches young violin studehts. In addition to music, Courtney enjoys writing, embroidery, and reading history and theology. Courtney resides in Stockbridge, Georgia with her parents, twin sister, and 2 younger brothers, Bryan and William.

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