History as a Legacy of Grace and Truth
For the past year, I’ve been writing my first historical fiction novel, the story of our family’s immigration from Alsace Lorraine in Europe to the plains of the United States. It’s been fascinating to not only learn about my family’s history, but the history of the time.
Making the decision that millions of people did, to leave their home and everything they knew for the opportunity to forge a new life on the other side of the world wasn’t easy and many suffered along the way, but the promise of opportunity drew people from all across Europe.
The Gantz’ family, who are the focus of the story, left their homes after Mathias Gantz fought in the French and Prussian War under Napoleon III. For 18 months, Mathias Gantz hauled ammunition to the battle front and brought back the wagon filled with the dead and wounded. When the war was over in 1871, Mathias Gantz made up his mind that anything would be better than living under such tyranny. He had heard of a new land-the home of the brave and the free.
The Hensley family, came much earlier, in the late 1620’s, long before the US would become a nation. James Hensley, of Norfolk, England would pack up his small family of his wife Sara and daughter Elizabeth and board a ship for Virginia, arriving sometime between 1627–1630. We don’t know much about their reasoning, but we know many left England during that time to pursue religious freedom.
The heritage of these two families lives on in the lives and faith of my own family. When we read about the past, we learn about the good and the bad, but if we take a step back we can see the result of a family’s legacy as they build something together, both with one another and with God. A lifetime pointed in a certain direction means something and it is possible for us to leave a lasting heritage that is far more valuable than any land or money we leave behind.
Mathias Gantz and his family were Lutherans who became a part of the German-speaking Baptist Church when they arrived in Kansas in 1883. What we know of their Christian heritage is their continued involvement in the church wherever they lived.
The faith of the Rev. G.W. Hensley and his wife, Polly is recorded in both their obituaries and in a wedding celebration. In the same year that George’s brother Samuel passed from this earth at the age of 53 in 1885, God was working in George’s life in a new way. George and Polly had been faithful servants as members of their local congregations, but at the age of 45, George would answer God’s call to be a preacher of the Gospel. Over the next 36 years, he would faithfully administer this call in the following communities: Pleasant Ridge, Fletchall, Brushy School House, Maloy, Sublet, New Harmony and Union Church, all in Missouri. During his ministry he was instrumental in leading scores of souls into the Kingdom of our Lord and Master. It was only declining health that led him to finally retire from service at the age of 81 in Grant City, MO.
In addition to their faithful service for the Gospel, George and Polly were notable for the blessing of being able to spend more than 67 years together in marriage before Polly’s passing. During that time “they had their joys as well as sorrows. Bereavements have visited their home, but they have found their source of comfort in Him who is able to keep that which they have committed to Him against that day.” At a celebration for their 63rd Anniversary, they counted 63 grand and great grandchildren and the following blessing was pronounced, “During their last days on earth may the richest of blessings abide with them and when their eyes shall close in death and the flush of health shall leaven their cheeks and the pulse cease to beat, may they both have abundant entrance into the city whose maker and builder is God.”
G.W. would finally say goodbye to his beloved Polly on January 3rd, 1928, when she would pass into the arms of her Savior at the age of 88. It was written of their marriage and parting that they, “had passed the 67th year of wedded life, a long, long time down the path of life they had walked side by side. And now in this world while the walk has ceased, yet we feel sure that journey has been taken up on the golden streets of the New Jerusalem and while Bro. Hensley will be lonely, yet like David of Old he can say I cannot recall but praise God I can meet her in the world where all tears and sorrow shall be passed away and no more farewells shall be spoken.” G.W would last but a few more years before joining his bride on those streets of gold. On March 14, 1931, at the age of 91, the Rev. George Washington Hensley, would finish his earthly journey. It was written about him that, “Brother Hensley lived and stood for a life of righteousness and truth, it mattered not when or where.” Their legacy would live on in their family and the many who found their faith in Jesus through their ministry to His Word.
We don’t write announcements like that anymore, but these are things worth remembering. We should know where we’ve come from, both as a people and as a nation. Learning about our history helps us to appreciate the difficulties that needed to be overcome for us to enjoy the benefits of life today.
In my own family history, I find a “perseverance of the saints” that reflects well on the Christian character of my ancestors. They came together and built faith and family. G.W. and Polly were married 67 years. His son, T.J., wouldn’t marry until the age of 31, but they were together for 50 years until his wife, Sarah’s passing. George and his wife, Dora were married for 55 years until Dora entered eternity.
These things matter and they are worth remembering. The novel I was determined to write is designed to be a good, and entertaining story, but it’s also a testimony to the grace and truth that are passed down through this heritage. I hope you’ll enjoy, Across the Shining Sea and the books that follow. They’re my own way of helping to preserve what is worth remembering from our family’s history.
Originally published at http://seeinggodclearly.com on January 20, 2025.