Did you know that this past week marked the 235th anniversary of Paul Revere's midnight ride? Paul Revere was the son of French Protestant immigrants. He was a silversmith/goldsmith by trade. He also was a courier for the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety.On April 18, 1775 at 10 p.m. he received orders to ride to Lexington to inform others of the approach of the British. Contrary to popular belief he did not hang the lanterns in the belfry of the Old North Church. He gave the orders to use the signal to warn others. After reaching Lexington and giving his warning to Hancock and Adams he then road toward Concord.
Did you know that he was captured by the British that night and someone else took the message to Concord? After his captors questioned him he was released. Still the news had spread to area villages where colonists quickly armed in preparation of the British arrival. These colonists were called "minutemen" since they needed to be ready at a moment's notice. When the British reached Lexington the minutemen were already wise to their approach.
Paul Revere died of natural causes at age 76 and is buried in the Granary Burial Ground in downtown Boston.
Isn't it interesting that common people like Revere, business owners, farmers, etc. were the heroes of the day? There are those who seem to have a mission in life of being a "watchmen on the wall", warning others of the danger to come. The Bible is full of examples of people who stood in this office. Shall we be modern day watchmen for the sake of our countrymen? As Christians we have a duty to warn others in love of the things to come. We need to be voices of hope and encouragement in the midst of darkness.Pictures are compliments of my daughter Rhiannon who took them on a vacation to Boston. Check out her blog at www.loaded6string.blogspot.com
As time permits I want to post many more pictures of the gardens at this season though we are VERY busy right now.
Blessings,
Lori
Those are very nice pictures! Glad to be of service! When you're at the Old North Church in Boston it's hard to imagine that anyone could see the lanterns hanging in the tower because now it's surrounded by so many other buildings. It is now in Little Italy! I really want to invent that time machine so I can go back and experience it first hand!
ReplyDeleteI love Paul Revere. I had to memorize a portion of "Paul Revere's Ride" in elementary school. It rings in my head every April.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts on the example he made. I am moved at so many things that took place back then. Ordinary people, as you said, doing extraordinary things. We have real heros to emulate, yet our kids are pretending to be batman and spiderman. I have some teaching to do.
Hey Lori, here is my blog. Have a good day! http://korimzehr.blogspot.com/
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