Last June was Jamestown’s 400th anniversary. On our tour of Williamsburg we chose Dan Ford and Michael Billings as guides. Dan is antiquarian document collector who brings 200+ year old documents along and tells the story explaining it from a record he’s holding. We’d read his book In the Name of God, Amen, and heard a lecture he gave on tape a few years ago and knew Mr. Ford was someone to hear. But, we hadn’t heard of Michael Billings.
When we got there, next to the powder horn on the Palace Green, there was Mr. Ford and his wife in full costume, explaining the development of colonial liberty. Then Dan introduced a young man – a kid – who hadn’t gotten over acne yet. Mr. Ford had great hope for Michael and said he would likely be one who would be here to lead the celebration 50 years from now at the 450th. When Michal spoke, it filled us all with hope. I thought “If Doug Phillips died tomorrow, we will be ok – God is raising up others to carry the torch!”
After the two hour tour, we gathered around, Mom meeting Mrs. Ford and other ladies from Indiana and Missouri, while Dad asked Mr. Ford questions and Victor recorded. Lance talked to Michael. I joined them, asking Michael Billings when he had started public speaking. He told where his mother took him for public speaking when he was seven. I asked what books had helped prepare him to give that tour. He mentioned one by R. J. Rushdoony, This Independent Republic. I was struck by his humility and personable manner.
Months later, looking something up on Visionforum.com, the headline on Doug’s blog sent a chill through me: “Michael Billings in the words friends and admirers.”
God hadn’t taken Doug, but He had taken Michael at 19 ½ years old. Our thoughts are not His thoughts. His ways are greater than ours.
Friends of Michael collected his speeches, letters and memories into a book, named for his first sermon: Life Is But A Vapor, The Life & Legacy of Michael G. Billings, edited by Wesley Strackbein.
Here are some excerpts:
“True greatness is not achieved by striving for prominence over others or by grasping for power, but by exhibiting a humble, self-effacing attitude of service to all.”
This being said, Michael’s philosophy of humble service was not one that left any room for weakness or cowardice. Rather it called for bold preaching and decisive action. As Michael stated:
“Humility is not a synonym for weakness or incompetence. It does not mean that we cannot teach vast crowds with great authority, face grueling intellectual debate, or confront the hypocrisy and error of our day. For Christ our Lord did all of these things.”
“What I want to say to pastors, fathers, leaders, all of us—to each and every one of us—[is] that it begins with us… We must infuse the faith of our fathers into the life of our country. Colonial America gives us a wonderful example of how we can do this, because they discipled their people. And we can learn once again from their example how we can disciple a nation. The life of our country depends on it.”
“How dreadful it is to commit even one sin against God; to be guilty of just one act of contrariety or rebellion towards the Infinite Being, the infinitely great and omnipotent God, the One in whom all the angels in heaven declare is Holy, Holy, Holy”
“Ignorance of God is a terrible vice.”
"Young men… it is appointed for you a day to die, and no matter how strong and healthy you may seem now, the day of your death may be very near. “You must not boast of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Remember always that tomorrow is the devil’s day. Satan does not care how spiritual your intentions are, how holy your resolutions are, if only they are determined to be done tomorrow."
~Michael Billings
Posted by Regina
From Nathaniel Darnell:
