The pages of history are filled with stories of zealous patriots who fought passionately for things that they firmly believed in. However, among the zealous stand the apathetic. History does not remember these apathetic half-hearted figures quite so well as their zealous counterparts. We remember and laud the Martin Luther Kings, George Washingtons and William Wilberforces of our history, not those who stood by and tolerated injustice.
One interesting case of zeal and apathy from American history occurs in the American Revolution. I am currently reading a book by Harlow Giles Unger, called “The Last Founding Father”. This is a biography of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. James Monroe, as I am learning, was an amazing American patriot and political leader. (Stay tuned for a “Profiles of Great Americans: James Monroe” post.) He enlisted in the Continental army of Virginia early in the Revolution and fought with Washington at Harlem Heights, Trenton (where he was wounded) and Brandywine. However, his military career was cut short by his own promotions. At one point, after his valorous action at Trenton, he was promoted to Captain. Unfortunately, with the great duty, privilege and responsibility that came with higher rank, so did the job of enlisting one’s own men. As a poor farmer who was orphaned at sixteen, Monroe, practically penniless, was unable to offer enlistment bounties or financial motivations to his fellow Virginians. Unable to enlist any men to join him in the case which he championed so gallantly, he returned to the study of law at the College of William and Mary in 1780.
Monroe’s attempts at enlisting a company did not end there, however. He tried again to receive a commission under the Marquis de Lafayette. He was faced with the terrible problem of an overabudance of officers and not enough recruits. Under Virginia Governor Thomas Nelson, Monroe made yet another attempt. Again, he was disappointed. He declared his absolute frustration at the failure of his countrymen to join him with these words: “Retired from the war and neglecting the cause in which our Country is engaged…the Inhabitants of this Country give themselves up to domestic repose and suffer nothing to obtrude on them which may disturb it.”
Monroe’s frustrations have no doubt been felt by many throughout history. I’m sure the same frustrations were felt by Lincoln, MLK and Wilberforce. They are most certainly felt today. As cultures crumble before our eyes, falling under the weight of moral relativism and secular humanism, we cannot help but fight with zeal against the advancing throes of decadence and death. But there are too many among our ranks who care little for zealous causes. They are content to stand among the apathetic. What must we do when we are surrounded by such an apathetic crowd? We must encourage and exhort our fellow Christians to serve the Lord in the spirit of Romans 12:11, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Above all, we must stand, even if we stand alone and hold fast to our zeal, even when it is not shared.