General Schofield's Address

Major General John M. Schofield, Address to the United States Corps of Cadets, 11 August 1879

 On a ministry trip to Hawaii in 2010 we had a few moments where we were able to see some of the sights. One of those was a war museum that had a memorial of an address to cadets of the graduating class of 1879. I was so moved by this that I had to do some research and find out who this man, Major General John M. Schofield was. 

 So I Google him. As I was reading the address, I said to myself, "this sounds like the way Jesus would have wanted men to treat other men."

 Come to find out he was the son of a preacher. Many leaders wonder why they have not won the loyalty of their followers and try so hard to force obedience out of them. I believe this address has much for us to learn from. Here is a segment of Major General John M. Schofield's address.

The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instruction and to give commands in such manner and such a tone of voice to inspire in the soldier no feeling but an intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or the other of dealing with subordinates springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them regard for himself, while he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect toward others, especially his inferiors, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself.

 How many leaders have failed to strengthen those that are weaker in faith, lacking in knowledge and distant in relationship with their God? 

Instead, a condemning attitude comes forth and makes individuals feel less than they should. Many times causing them to be discouraged to the point of giving up.

 May we learn from this address and begin to do as the Lord. The Lord helped Peter regain his confidence after Peter denied Him. Do you love (Phileo or friendship love) me? Do you love(phileo) me? DO YOU LOVE(Agape the highest kind of love, unconditional love ) ME?

 The Lord knew Peter loved Him deep down on the inside. May we as leaders see the condition of the heart before we judge their actions. More love will help one overcome their failures and help them not feel inferior.

 Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

 Are we encouraging others, or are we discouraging others by how we treat them?

In His Service,

Jesse Griffin