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July 2, 2021 6:00 am
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As we approach 4 July. This weekend we federally funded and unique focus on family broadcast very with your host focus president Jim Daly and I'm John Fuller I think it's really important to remember that 4 July holiday for independence is about more than barbecues and outdoor fun work commemorating birth of our nation and then women risk their very lives to separate from England and set up a government that allowed for religious freedom and other privilege that are enumerated in the Bill of Rights are independence was bought with a price. So today we decided to feature an episode of our adventures in Odyssey program which will capture the essence of the American revolution as seen through the eyes of Paul Revere and if you're not familiar with Odyssey you're truly missing out.
It's an amazingly well-crafted radio drama for children of all ages and I have to admit I actually miss listening now to see now that her boys are little older and moving into college. We used to listen almost every night in our family always enjoyed Odyssey for road trips, Jim. We took a lot of trips and those miles would fly by as we got distracted by the stories. Six. I view the driver ride course we did have six kids and lots of road trips. So I got a lot of guys I do have a lot of Odyssey episodes memorized as we get started, let me mention this program is included in a set of 12 patriotic themed Odyssey episodes that were offering when you make a pledge of any amount or one-time donation of any amount today. Answer just ask for the God and country CD collection when you call 800 the letter a in the word family or donate and request your CD when you're at the website link is in the episode notes right get around and enjoy this episode of adventures in Odyssey. It's called the midnight ride on today's highlighter what you got there Paul Revere's ride and other selected verses along the way powder years ride holds a great poem, one of the ethics of American literature that it's not very accurate.
Well, for the most part, the poem was okay there a couple of big mistakes and there's a whole lot more to the story than what Longfellow describes and to Paul Revere's life for that matter. Sure, Revere is best known for his midnight ride, but did lots of other things out of the revolution. Did you know he was part of the Boston tea party. Yup, Boston Harbor 1773 Revere John Hancock Sam Adams and other patriots had been upset for months about taxation without representation.
Those three ships filled sitting in the harbor were like burgers under their sentence. So on a cold December night, they decided to do something about red paint on returning, just to be disturbed. All I think the noise they will will be all right boys line back. That's right, clean them spick-and-span. Then they filed under their boats and rolled back to the harbor they made their point. The colonists weren't going to stand for abuse from England any longer. He went immediately to New York and Philadelphia to spread the news of this bold act of Boston patriots after work.
That's another thing about Paul Revere. We tend to think he took only one ride, but the truth is, he took several right that happened in and around Boston almost 2 years later, in 1775, one of the patriots favorite gathering places was the Green Dragon Tavern and was there on a warm afternoon in April the Paul Revere met with Dr. Joseph Warren manhood written some scathing pamphlets against the British public this week.
I say let the revolution begin pussyfooting around.
As we been doing more will come soon enough without us urging it on one's holding pairing from March March to where no like the arms come good and John Hancock and Sam Adams and Lexington along the way. No doubt if concrete is the objective you concerns when the British plan to invade and how to get there by Landau across the Charles River. It's across the short Charlestown will have very little warning some sort of signal Planter's yes hanging in the tower of Christ Church, one of the bricks march by land and two with they come by sea upon North Church Christ Church that was Longfellow's first mistake. See the old North Church couldn't of been used its buyers to stumpy and cops heal lies between it and the shore lights would've never been seen in Charlestown. Well I'm glad you got that one part right that he did and Dr. Warren liked to an excellent plan but I'm afraid going to have another journey. Let me guess across the river's and right on the Concorde and tell them to hike the supply of armaments could come any day. We must be ready to leave at once as fast as you can review. I show my friend, I shall write. That's why he knew the rock so well he got back to Boston in plenty of time for the fireworks that followed.
Well, it was due to the alertness of a young stable boy at the province house, a popular gathering place for British officers all here the kilovolts lot on right knee by body and see if we can make no one I actually thought rebels taking up against his silly that is loud all rice and again tonight… It is in light infantry on Dakota Smith and make it and will cost the common and then mocked up the Lexington by Adams and Hancock what why why then it's on to say that I didn't get conquered. Wandering did not want all you mean when you should really say you wouldn't of been listening to our conversation with no rest loyal to his magistrate. Yes I stay that way and know all we will inform almost thank you for the information to. I'm sure Dr. Warren will be very happy.
The common stock warrant when tonight Concorde time to test her signally Revere to the same thing else. Note no sir except that they're going to try to stop any messages from getting through a fine job, go to the kitchen and get something to eat. Yes or thank you Dr. Warren. We must get word to Concorde. I've already dispatched William Dawes by the overland route overlooked black powers to his trip. I know your boat is still more that the river is yes, but why you will be right under the nose of the British again but I'm ready, like the lanterns young friend of mine, Robert Newman, his brothers the church organist. So Robert has free access to the tower accident you must take great care crossing the river.
The Somerset is lying at anchor in the harbor ready to blast anyone who should try to pass. Don't worry Joseph, I learned my lesson a few months back at Castle Island. Be quiet.
No goodbyes, my friend.
When we leave soon. Stay and gather as much information as I can. I implore you, once again not to risk yourself.
The cause needs and cause also needs information do not concern yourself over my peril.
My friend you face enough of your own British will not take to shoot a man caught exciting on revolt's.
God's people. True son of Revere race to Christ Church and sent Robert Newman up the tower to lanterns.
Robert preschool by sea, then hurried home to put on his riding boots insert to suit you a writing code right and he hurriedly kissed his wife goodbye and left meeting to friends Thomas Richardson and Joshua Bentley outside. They made their way to the river Revere was moving so fast he forgot to close the door and his dog got out and followed him.
That wasn't the only thing he forgot forgot my spirits cost right without my spirits and I believe that is by the Somerset Creek surely give us away thing I forgot I was going to bring the clock to muffle them now necessary and have cargo across the we need to have the clock to give us squeaky almost given us away already. Yeah, we don't have much time. Thanks, Don will call your intended just friend. This is a cult that we have the cloth. What this verse have an idea boy.doc spares yeah you wrote a note put in the dogs collar and send them home. Well I don't know but it is the story Revere told his own children and apparently the dog performed beautifully for Revere and his companion soon took off in the rowboat patrolling Castle Island might not have gotten her rest look signal light weight, stay on just enough to warn the folks in Charlestown high. Signally Revere not the people know very seen right here when I ran into opposite sure I will be ready to ride and spread the alarm to every minute sex marriage and five. That's probably the biggest fallacy in the whole Paul Revere story.
Anyway, the signal work beautifully. The people of Charlestown got the message loud and clear, but Revere and his companions did have a concern.
Somerset saw the signal to find out strike will carry us past the ship's rebel counsel will profit into smiling on us chance to get the signal yes and your mount is ready find log. British soldiers have been patrolling this road and the road in Cambridge all afternoon. What you think the ride is treacherous, unique gold, no one will fault her staying spread the word.
The British on the move coming in. So through the night and through the night when his crime to every Middlesex village and from what I am, defiance, and not always in the dark word very related to the British blockade, one the whole countries Minutemen way bells began to climb on. Finally, mixing are you looking for this house.
Sgt. yes, you must ask your voice or my forests just to please ladies and gentlemen within going to bed wish to be disturbed by the noise is enough noise before long I Hancock I don't yes, it's me. The regulars are out British are coming last you must both leave once safety not will wreck my body Hancock. We've been over this a thousand times. You cannot go into battle. You're too valuable to us elsewhere.
Sgt. bring food and drink over there while I try to talk some sense of the Hancock John yes but while he was eating only Dawes arrived over and the two of them joined by 1/3 writer, Dr. Prescott took off for Concorde three will not exactly 3 started out about halfway there. It was spotted by several British soldiers on horseback three trying to make a break. Prescott managed to get volume spread onto Concorde Dawes horse and him and he scampered to safety in the thick woods. He was: what you want to keep your officer I know I is right, but the weather is not scared out of his wits by your ambush of the honest man dismounts that now I ask again what do you want of me. Where did you come from Boston.
What time do you leave that clock. 11. My I cried your name all racks the illegal stuff that I was fighting this messenger you're going to miss your mark.
You know what your mark, you're going to miss it.
I know what you're talking about here. I know what you're here for. You're not going to get you back come back with us and tell what you know you are lost trying there's no need. I sent Ron down because if you do something in any way. I am not hesitate to use this pistol out get moving.
They rode for about half a mile in silence. Suddenly, all around them bells began to peel pots and pans cling together about warn the countryside see all they can do no more was now take his office and let's go see you like until I got walk made his way back to arriving at the Clark Justices on the green humans great commotion on the green as the Minutemen was to take their positions against the British soldiers. John Hancock was still afraid boys don't be foolish, but elected delegates to the Congress by elsewhere, is right. Hancock was stopped by a British patrol my horse and hightail it back to the right will not hesitate to take you and possibly kill you must leave once boy bring the carriage around what is now a trunk full of important papers at Buckman's Tavern across the green must fall into British hands so there is no ties fighting for freedom because of my Congress what those papers are what make me important to not leave them behind's and I've already been arrested and released.
They're not interested I'll deliver the 20 outside of town go finally agreed and sent his clerk role with Revere they run the stamp retrieve the trunk and made their way across the green halfway back with you. What he saw was right. Perhaps 70 minute command of Capt. held a ragged line into the green to his left. 600 light infantry and Grenadier's under the command of Maj. Pitcairn stood in perfect each commander barked out orders on let it begin here with fear continued on each side, both suddenly, just as they cleared the field to heaven.
I don't know. I couldn't see we have a job. He was, he witnessed the shot heard around the world shot the right note for liberty brain. Yes, he was because he lived in a time of bravery. But you know his time really wasn't someone like ours and he really wasn't any more brave than we are to simply test and to make sure here's midnight my what he wrote for liberty is present great thoughts from John Avery Whitaker, the father figure. Everyone looks up to in the fictional town of Odyssey in this special episode of Focus on the Family.
It's especially appropriate to remember the importance of bravery encourage simply stepping out in faith to help another person. When the time is right, and Jim. It's been fun. Hearing about Paul Revere's life on the special broadcasters we celebrate America's independence day this has been a Phenomenal Way, John, to be reminded of our heritage and how we should also remember the thousands of military heroes who are defending our nation right now.
I hope you'll say thank you to a man or woman you see in uniform today. They're sacrificing so much, including time with family to serve our country. That's a true hero and if you'd like to share more patriotic stories with your family. We have a set of 12 adventures in Odyssey programs that deal with patriotic themes that for CD collection is called for God and country, and were making that available for a monthly pledge of any amount as you support the work were doing here Focus on the Family and let me give you a great example of our efforts that last spring when the covert pandemic kit that we knew that parents would be desperate for constructive ways to occupy their kids to attend school, so we offered a free trial subscription to adventures in Odyssey club which included free streaming of hundreds of Odyssey episodes. Here's a comment we received from a mom. She said we love listening to Odyssey on the radio and would have missed out on many fascinating stories without the free trial for the adventures in Odyssey club since we were in quarantine and looking for trustworthy entertainment. We were thrilled by your offer. Thank you again for blessing us with such a fine godly gift and for always being a shining light in a dark world. I love that John and I do too, and it's obvious that focus was able to make a lot of families happier team tells us that over 116,000 people signed up for that free trial. Amazing. During the pandemic and all told, we recorded over 900 Odyssey programs it would take more than 16 days to listen to all of those episodes back to back. That's not counting breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but that is amazing John and that that is thanks to our donors who are supporting efforts like adventures in Odyssey, so please consider donating today to get the God and country collection. It has over four hours of great patriotic content and if a monthly pledge won't work for your family right now. We can send that out to you for a one-time donation of any amount and when you visit our website, you can learn more about the adventures in Odyssey club as well stop by our website. We got the link in the episode notes or call 800 the letter a in the word family and the God and country set of Odyssey includes 12 episodes, including stories about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, the heroes of the Underground Railroad and it's a fabulous collection. Have a great weekend celebrating Independence Day and sure to join us on Monday when you hear unique story of how mom began loving her neighbors by putting a trip table out in her front yard on behalf of Jim Daly. The entire team. Thanks for joining us for this Focus on the Family podcast. I'm John Fuller inviting you to berating forests wherever you get your podcast sure about this podcast with a friend in this next time once more help you and your family thrive in Christ by your kids just a click away adventures in Odyssey club 8 to 12-year-old find trusted faith building entertainment in a safe online club features almost every episode ever special monthly club only episodes in content and Focus on the Family clubhouse magazine subscription. Sign up today I'll club.org/radio