Henty Essay Contest Winners
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Phillip Reeves
WHAT CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN from the WRITINGS of G.A. HENTY, ABOUT the TRUE MEANING
of MANHOOD.
It is said that we learn by example. If this is true, then many have learned from
the example of George Alfred Henty’s numerous writings. On his death in 1902,
the London sketch wrote “the boy’s of England lose one of the best friends
they ever had.” But, this is not so, for while the creator died, the creation
lived on to bring pleasure and teaching to many generations. Using his knowledge
of history, Mr. Henty used the theme of war for over one hundred and fifty books
focusing on young men with distinctive qualities of manhood. The format is almost
always the same with the young men of the same consistent reputation found in similar
situations where the attributes of Godly and goodly character, strength of arm,
and patriotic loyalty are put to the test. Mr. Henty seemed to be saying, “This
is the way a young man should go.” And, based on the demand for more Henty
titles, evidently young men are responding to this call to true manhood.
Mr. Henty’s heroes were always between the ages of 16 and 20. Sixteen and twenty!
While young, they were expected to be brave, patriotic and chivalrous. By the world’s
standard today, such a young age is still but a boy and often not held accountable
for his actions. But, Mr. Henty’s young men were able to meet the demands of
manhood. Manhood does not just happen with age. Each young man was instructed by
a father, family friend, or tutor to be honorable, self-disciplined, and intelligent
in decision. Walter Fletcher, St. George for England, was an orphan left in the
hands of a blacksmith. At fourteen years of age, “no stronger or sturdier lad”
was in the city. He could read and write, was a leader among the other boys, learned
the trade of armourer, and was a skilled and formidable opponent in mock battle.
The majority of Mr. Henty’s books focus on war. War is seen as a bad thing
today. This is only partly true. For while bad things happen during war, war also
provides the incentive to tackle needs that might not have been met in peace time.
Wartime is always a test. It tests a nation’s unity, a family’s beliefs,
and a man’s character. Mr. Henty himself had served in three wars: the Crimean,
Abyssinian, and Ashantee Wars. His writings reflect an understanding of this test
on a young man’s character. In With Clive in India, Charles Marryat
found himself captured and packed into a cell with numerous other prisoners with
little air movement, no water, and intolerable heat. Along with him is a young woman
placed in his care when her father died in battle. Rather than fight for air or
his own comfort, his only thought is to protect and comfort the young woman. He
encourages her to “keep cheerful and quiet, and above all, ... pray God to
give you strength to carry you through it...”
Every young man that Mr. Henty focused on had a moral constitution that was based
on a belief in God. They were expected to be men of God. And, they were to reflect
that in their lives. One reoccurring trait in many books is mercy. Edmund, the hero
of the Dragon and the Raven, showed mercy to Jarl Sigbert, a Viking raider.
He stated, ”...you have been a bitter enemy of Saxons, and small mercy have
you shown to those who have fallen into your hands, but learn now that we Christian
Saxons take no vengeance on a defenseless foe.” Though Edmund would have been
fully justified to slay the man, he showed undeserved compassion. Today young men
are taught to be tolerant and lenient, but not merciful.
One of the most important parts of manhood is honor. Mr. Henty thought it so, too,
for his characters. In fact, the young men of his books were the very epitome of
manly honor and all of their actions and deeds declared this. In A March on London,
Edgar Ormskirk gave his word to send ransom back for his freedom and not take up
arms against the French again in the campaign if allowed to return to his country.
And this promise he kept. However, today such honor is yet another distinction not
expected of young men. A sense of right and wrong, honesty and sincerity have been
clouded by convenience and selfishness.
According to the examples Mr. Henty gave to us, we can learn that age does not determine
true manhood but training and discipline in uprightness which give the foundation
to meet the conflicts of life. Sound principles along with loyalty, courage, and
compassion give the resolution to live with fortitude. The ability and willingness
to pick up the gauntlet when it has been tossed at his feet and to stand up and
accept the challenge the world offers a young man is shaped by his willingness to
do what is right in the sight of God. That is true manhood!
ABOUT PHILLIP REEVES
Phillip Johnson Reeves, fifteen, is the son of Jim and Sara Reeves of Buchanan Dam,
Texas. He has three older sisters: Florence, JoLynn and Katie. He has been home
schooled for ten years.
Phillip refused to learn to read until age nine and had not read beyond Hank the
Cowdog by the age of twelve. However, after reading The Dragon and the Raven,
he decided that “real books” were more fun. Interestingly, this Henty
copy was not one of the newly republished editions but one his father’s older
publications from a collection he began in the early 1980s. To date, Phillip has
read about twenty Henty titles.
Phillip’s interests are in military history, historical weapons, and blacksmithing.
He enjoys target shooting with his dad, military strategy computer games, reading,
and collecting swords. He often will memorize poetry such as “The Charge of
the Light Brigade” for his own pleasure. He is active in his church youth group
where he enjoys applying his quick wit and humor. One mom has chuckled and said,
“Phillip always makes us laugh.”
Return to Henty Essays