Presidential Prayer Kids

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
--Nathan Hale

This is a drawing of Nathan Hale’s Homestead. Picture courtesy of the Connecticut Historical Society.

Nathan Hale was born in Coventry, Connecticut in June of 1755--that’s before America was born! Nathan’s family was very large with many brothers. Church played a big part in the life of the Hale family.

Nathan’s schoolmaster was Rev. Dr. Joseph Huntington, a well-known pastor. As was often the case in Colonial America, Nathan and his brothers went to school at the minister’s home. Most communities in New England did not have organized schools—as a colony of Britain, our country was struggling for survival and the land and living were still quite raw and rough. Those whose families could afford to pay a school master were usually taught by the most educated person in town—usually the minister!

The New London School was a one-room school near the seacoast of Connecticut. Nathan taught girls at the school--at 5:00 am, so they could finish their lessons before the boys arrived at school.

Nathan and his brothers studied Latin, Greek, Hebrew, history, penmanship and more. Everyone learned these ancient or “classic” languages, in part so they could translate and study the Scriptures.

Nathan took his studies seriously and was well prepared for higher study. He and his brother Enoch began at Yale University as teenagers and they did well--so well that Nathan graduated as one of the top students in his class.

When Nathan graduated at age 18, he became a school teacher. The time was 1774, and the unrest in the American colonies was getting stronger. As it spread across the New England states, Nathan caught wind of the discussions, and became very interested in the cause. He joined the militia of his town, New London, Connecticut, and practiced with the other men so they would be ready if they were called to battle.

It was not long before the battle cry was sounded--by Nathan Hale himself. When he heard about the Battle of Lexington, that the fighting with the British had begun, Nathan spoke up in a town meeting, saying “Let us march immediately, and never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence!”

Nathan felt so strongly about freedom for the colonies that he considered making a big change in his life. So Nathan did what a Christian young person should do before making a decision—he prayed! And he spoke with the elders in his church. After consulting with these people whom he respected, Nathan decided to leave his teaching job in New London and become a full time soldier fighting for independence. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant and went to the garrison in Cambridge near Boston.

Revolutionary War soldiers often marched to the sound of many drummers. Photo courtesy of Nathan Hale.com.

Nathan spent several months in Cambridge, but there just wasn’t much action there. Everything was happening to the south! So Nathan Hale and his soldiers marched to Long Island in New York where things were heating up. He saw some battle action there, but it was at this time that Nathan Hale became interested in spying. Even though a spy could be executed if caught by the enemy, Nathan decided to become a member of a special corps of soldiers--the Continental Army's first elite secret intelligence unit known as Knowlton’s Rangers.

Knowlton’s Rangers were a group of soldiers commissioned by Gen. George Washington himself! Gen. Washington believed that the gathering of intelligence was very important. He was convinced that he needed an elite group that would gather information and report directly to him. They used secret codes to talk about locations and people. George Washington himself was identified in secret code as “711.” Knowlton’s Rangers were some of America’s first spies!

In this new job, Nathan was responsible to go behind enemy lines, get information and bring it back to his leaders. When one of his respected friends discouraged him from spying, Nathan had a ready response. Nathan believed the American cause of freedom for the colonies was right in God’s eyes because it was for the greater good of all people. When discouraged by his friend he said, “I wish to be useful, and every kind of service, necessary to the public good, becomes honorable by being necessary.”

This illustration shows Nathan Hale after he was caught spying against the British troops. He was quickly tried and executed immediately so he could be used as an example to other revolutionary troops. Illustration courtesy of americanrevolution.com.

Nathan worked as a spy for only a few weeks, posing as a Dutch schoolmaster. His secret identity was uncovered and he was caught and arrested by British soldiers in New York. Sadly, he was hanged the very next day, so the British could use him as an example to anyone else who was considering spying. Nathan was only 21 years old.

This painting shows Nathan Hale during his moment of bravery, saying his famous words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Image courtesy of ibiscom.com.

Even though Nathan Hale’s promising career was cut short, his legacy lives on. Because he was a young man of conviction and faith, he is remembered for always doing what is right, and for not being afraid to risk his life. In fact, Nathan’s famous quote, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” shows us that he was very dedicated to the cause of freedom and service to country!

But there is another part to the legacy of Nathan Hale. As a godly young man, raised by parents who wanted him to know God’s Word and live by it, Nathan Hale had a Bible. It survives today, and if you were to open it you would see many verses that he marked to remember. One special verse points to the unexpected ending of Nathan’s life by speaking of Heaven: “In my Father’s house are many mansions and I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). We know that Nathan Hale valued God’s Word because he asked for a Bible right before his execution. Sadly, Nathan’s request was denied, but it is likely that he had God’s Word stored away in his heart and it comforted him.

Did you read the story of Nathan Hale? Do you know anyone who is willing to give his or her life for their country? Perhaps your dad or aunt or grandfather is a veteran. Every person who is a veteran of the Armed Forces has given a part of their life to help our country--like Nathan Hale did. Be sure to say “thank you” to a veteran this week. And be sure to say “thank you” to God for the freedom you enjoy in America.

QUESTION 1

Before he went to Yale University, Nathan Hale learned Greek, Hebrew and Latin, like most students during the Colonial days. Why did kids learn Greek, Hebrew and Latin in school?

QUESTION 2

Why do you think Nathan Hale was so willing to give his life for America?

Wow! We hope you are really inspired by the heroic life of Nathan Hale! He showed many of the great qualities that God loves to see in His kids—loyalty, bravery, prayerfulness, respect and patriotism! These are great qualities for everyone to have, but they are especially good for kids who pray! So this week, as you think about our veterans and all they have done to serve our country, be sure to express your gratitude to a veteran. If you don’t have a veteran in your life, you can still say “thanks” by downloading the Patriot Pete poster in today’s update. Write a letter or draw a picture on it and we’ll be sure it gets to some of our injured troops at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland. That’s a terrific way to say thank you to those who have served our country so courageously.