A Star Appears in the East

The Marquis De Lafayette is in the news this week.

Adapted from Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War.

Would the British take him before he had a chance to kiss America’s shores? Such was the question facing the French musketeer as he sailed toward South Carolina’s sand in the summer of 1777.

From the moment he first learned about America’s revolt at a party hosted by King George III’s brother in 1775, the Marquis de Lafayette was secretly smitten with the patriot cause. After hiring his own ship, this nineteen-year-old slipped out of France against the expressed will of his own king. The reason? The Marquis De Lafayette was in love with liberty.

Lafayette wrote to his wife, Adrienne, that he, along with the ten other French adventurers aboard his ship, sailed several days along the Carolina coast, “which swarmed with hostile vessels.”

“When I arrived, everybody said that my vessel must inevitably be taken, since two British frigates blockaded the harbor,” Lafayette told her.

The wind, however, rescued this wistful Frenchman. “By a most wonderful good fortune, a gale obliged the frigates to stand out to sea for a short time. My vessel came in at noon-day, without meeting friend or foe,” Lafayette proclaimed joyfully.

He then rode on horseback nine hundred miles to Philadelphia to present his credentials to the Continental Congress for a command in the army.

“I have such confidence in my lucky star, however, that I hope it will reach you. This same star has befriended me, to the astonishment of everybody here. Trust to it yourself, and be assured that it ought to calm all your fears,” he urged her.

This French star’s timing was less than stellar, however. Many Americans were fearful of French adventurers because the English had fought the French in a war in the 1750s. Likewise some Protestants were skeptical of French Catholics. Not only that, but Lafayette also had received his commission from Silas Deane. Congress was so disgusted with Deane’s first round of recruits, led by the odious Ducoudray, that they rejected Lafayette’s request for a meeting. Undaunted, Lafayette responded with a note.

“After the sacrifices I have made, I have the right to exact two favors: one is, to serve at my own expense; the other is, to serve at first as a volunteer,” he told the Congress.

Hence, the Marquis de Lafayette’s humility and zeal were brighter than his ambition. This lover of liberty convinced Congress of his sincerity.

After reviewing his letters of introduction, Congress granted him the rank of major general but on one condition. He was not to hold a command. His title was merely honorary. And with that, this French volunteer with a meaningless rank hurried to join General Washington’s army. It was time for France’s twinkling star to meet America’s shining star, General Washington. Both, however, had yet to burn their brightest and fulfill their highest purpose.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for the splendor of your creation. And just as you give nature purpose, how much more have you given me purpose today.