2008 Essay Contest, 3rd Place: R.M. Ballantyne, A Hero for Heroes in the 21st Century

For young men and women of the 21st century there are three major attributes lacking: courage, honor, and duty. Young men and young women are not sure what to stand for, who to honor, and how to perform their duty. In the R.M. Ballantyne series, the heroes often provide the reader with great examples of how these important aspects should be portrayed. The youth of America desperately need to learn how to embrace these characteristics which are very important to the everyday life of a Christian. The Ballantyne series proves to be very helpful by offering great examples of courage, honor, and duty. However, the Bible should be our final authority and example when we seek to exhibit these powerful virtues.

One of the most alarming issues in the 21st century is the lack of courage in men. The definition of courage is the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, or fear with self-possession and resolution. C.S. Lewis said, "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point." The lack of courage shows up more as passivity than anything else. Passivity allows many unholy ideas, actions, and movements to be free from persecution. Some examples of unholy ideas, actions, and movements in the 21st century include the growing feminism movement. One example of feminism is the frightening trend of women fighting on the front lines of battle. Men alone should be fighting our country's battles. Men are also failing to lead their families in the way of the Bible and following God. Family worship with hymn singing, daily reading of the Scriptures, and prayers must be a father's regular priority.

In Mr. Ballantyne's book, Blue Lights, Miles Morton joins up with Her Majesty's Army. He is captured by Muslims in Egypt and taken captive. He and several others escape, but while trying to regain the British lines they are surrounded by the Muslims yet again. This time they fight for their lives until the British rescue them. Miles also rescues Marion Drew from being swept overboard, and rescues the Drews from a pack of wild dogs. Miles demonstrates courage in the face of flying metal and torture. Miles is not afraid of joining the army, and he is definitely not afraid to protect women and children.

In The Lonely Island, John Adams is a mutineer from the HMS Bounty who with several other mutineers decides to go to a deserted island. They live the remainder of their lives in seclusion. After a series of disturbing deaths, only John Adams remains of the original mutineers. He becomes the preacher, teacher, and the father of all on the island. "Father", as the whole island called him, followed the Scriptures in everything. Adams continues to follow all of the rules of God's law. He also decides not to hide anymore when ships arrive at the island. Instead John decides to face whatever might come, even if it meant death for his part in the mutiny. John Adams leads his colony in spiritual learning. He stands up for things that glorify and honor God. As young men we should try to follow Miles Morton and John Adams' examples by honoring God, leading our families spiritually, and accepting responsibility by rejecting passivity.

Many young men and women of today refuse to honor their parents and God. Honor is defined as a high respect, a good name, and glory or recognition. Lack of honor in families often threatens the survival of a healthy family. When fathers are passive and do not lead their families it makes it hard for the young to demonstrate honor, but regardless, God's word still requires honor of parents. Ballantyne provides readers fantastic illustrations of how to honor parents and God. Walter Lippmann said this of honor, "He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so."

Chingatok is an Eskimo. He decides to go on an expedition, but first he seeks the council of his mother. In The Giant of the North, Chingatok quietly discusses with his mother and father about the white men who have come to search for the North Pole. This story shows that even in less civilized countries there is a sense of honor toward parents and older people. Chingatok also realizes that there must be someone out there who is the Creator. He refuses to believe that people were always existent and left without purpose. He chases the answers to his questions until one of the Englishmen tells him of God's love.

In The Pirate City, Francisco, Marion, and Lucien are captured by Algerian pirates. They become slaves in the Pirate City of North Africa. Marion is forced to control his temper especially when he finds out that the pirates punish his father every time Marion reacts to the harsh treatment. Marion is tried terribly, but eventually he learns to honor his father by controlling his anger. If Marion resists, then the pirates give Francisco, his father, the bastinado which is an iron rod used to beat victims.

In the 21st century many people have lost their sense of duty. Duty is defined as something that one is obliged to do for moral, legal, or religious reasons. Standards have changed and America's young people have become confused on what their duty should be. America has seemed to have misplaced its moral compass, i.e. the Bible. Ballantyne tries to show readers what duty looks like.

In The Gorilla Hunters, Peterkin, Ralph, and Jack are great examples of how one must perform his or her duty. These three friends hunt in the great continent called Africa. They employ an interpreter, who guides them through the jungles and plains of Africa. While hunting gorillas in the mountains, they find out that their guide's wife is taken captive by a Portuguese slave trader. Jack, Ralph, and Peterkin decide that after all of the things Makarooroo has done for them, it would be of the utmost importance to rescue the girl their guide loves. These three chaps experience personal danger many times while on their journey to rescue Okandaga, Makarooroo's wife. Makarooroo never requests that they try to rescue her, but Ralph essentially decides that if they do not rescue her then they could not consider themselves humane. Through great displays of courage and ingenuity, they rescue Okandaga and all the other captives with her.

Will Wallace is a British dragoon. He witnesses many horrible acts done to the Scottish Covenanters. He finally has had enough and flees to the hills, deserting his British comrades. In the story of Hunted and Harried, Will becomes great friends with Andrew Black, a key leader within the Covenanter circle. He decides to join the Scottish Covenanters and begins the long and hard journey of fighting for his rights to worship God, and his rights as a free man. Andrew Black and Will Wallace perform their duty to their God, and their fellow man. They give up everything: successful lives, secure family, and their freedom to trust in God. As a result, they become fugitives for the rest of their lives. The Covenanters show tremendous courage in the face of death. Most of them prefer death rather than denouncing Jesus Christ as Lord.

Will and Andrew give most of their lives for the goodness they found in following God. They are determined to never let anyone take away what they have found with God. They are determined to lead their families in the pursuit of righteousness. They are not afraid to look into death's face when taking a stand for their freedom in God. The Ballantyne books should be considered classics for Christian readers of the 21st century. In fact, they should be considered classics that everyone should read when he or she has the opportunity. Ballantyne depicts godly principles in young men and women. He reiterates the need for strong godly Christian men and women who are willing to stand up and do their duty, show honor where it is due, and demonstrate the bravery of the youth. In a world that is filled with immoral people, and corrupt ideas, the series by R.M. Ballantyne is a quiet refuge where readers can enjoy reading about the adventures of Miles, John, Chingatok, Marion, Peterkin, Ralph, Jack, Andrew, and Will.

Former President Theodore Roosevelt sums up what we are called to do as young men and young women facing the 21st century,

"We are face to face with our destiny and we must meet it with a high and resolute courage. For us is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty; let us live in the harness, striving mightily; let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out."

May all we do be done to honor our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gehrig Nelson

Gehrig Nelson is a home school student who resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his parents and three younger siblings. Gehrig is a 5th generation follower of Jesus Christ. He will be a junior in high school this fall. He works part-time for EDAS Inc., an engineering company. Gehrig also has a part-time lawn business. He plays on a home school soccer team and competitively runs the 800 meters and relay events in track. Gehrig loves history, science, math and reading.