The STatesmen Heroes

27,

Who are the Statesmen Heroes?

Why did America once produce such prodigious leaders, and where are they today? What were they marvelous? What foundations were laid in their lives? How was the unbending courage molded in them?

We should be reading what these men read that enabled them to write what they wrote We've inherited an incredible leadership legacy, and it seems to have vanished. Where are the Peyton Randolphs, the George Washingtons, the Teddy Roosevelts?

Teddy Roosevelt was a remarkable man and leader

Before his 50th birthday, he served as a New York State legislator, a U.S. Civil Service commissioner, Governor of New York, Vice President of The U.S., and twice as President. He ran a cattle ranch, served as a journalist and editor, conducted scientific expeditions on five continents, read at least five book a week, and wrote nearly fifty He wrestled, boxed, enjoyed astronomy, taught Sunday school, composed psalm songs and hymns. During his career he was hailed by friends and rivals alike as the greatest man of the age, perhaps the greatest of all ages Even his lifelong political opponent, William Jennings Bryan, said never would you find a more remarkable mind than he

But early on, it didn't look like he would amount to much at all. When I think about great leaders in our day, I think one of the greatest things we could ever do is instill in the hearts and minds of young sons and daughters of the covenant a vision that could give rise to a new generation of Roosevelts.

Teddy Roosevelt's Character Foundations

Intellect:

Substantive Classical Education

Lifetime Reading and Learning

Libraries as Arsenals of Truth

The foundations of Roosevelt's greatest work were rooted in his character. He said libraries and reading were arsenals of truth. He knew that to lead well, he must read well. Firm foundations must be established in him to establish them in others

Piety:

Faith: Yielding to the Gospel

Family: Putting First things First

Work: Committing to the Long Term

He was a man of deep piety, putting his family first and working hard, committing to the long term.

Risk:

Life: Boldness in Defense of Truth

Fortune: The Cost of Freedom

Sacred Honor: Controversy

He stood with the founding fathers, risking his life, fortune, and sacred honor He knew the cost of freedom is high and that if you ' re going to lead, you'll be faced with controversy. He was willing to rish everything for what was right. He used every resource for the cause of freedom both in the U S and around the world, and he was no stranger to controversy But he was willing to risk everything for the sake of sacred honor.

To be continued