United States Naval Academy Chapel

globejpg United States Naval Academy - John Paul Jones...

A Vision... Michael the Archangel

Click here to visit: The United States Naval Academy

How many people do you know serving in our Armed Services guarding the sovereignty of our Nation? Have you ever visited any of the Marines, Army, Navy or Air Force installations? It is a great experience. To chow with them - everyone a Hero - is to dine with America's finest in character and commitment.

To me, IF the choice is to side up with 1 soldier (male or female) or 10,000 politicians and/or journalists, I'll high step it over to the Soldier's side of the road any ol' day. This is a rare minority of individuals who, as we saw when the hurricanes of 2005 hit, the cry went out: Where's the ARMY?. When the ARMY came, the critics then complained: Why did you bring your weapons? Are Americans some of the most ignorant people living on planet earth? Who were they expecting to show up? Movie stars or musicians? But I digress...

Did you know that less than 1/10th of 1 per cent% (.01%) (a true minority population compared to the masses of politically disinterested or dissenting voices) make up the troops and battalions and divisions of the United States Armed Forces voluntarily protecting us? That translates to about: 1 out of 1000 citizens - a select group of courageous men and women...

This page is dedicated in honor of these noble men and women - young and old - who commit their lives to protect us in America... and continue to keep our Nation safe. What nation is like our Nation; what people like our brave men and women?

Download and sing along while enjoying this page: Eternal Father by the U.S. Navy Band's Sea Chanters
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No! Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt - the 59th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy isn't John Paul Jones. Admiral Rempt was raised in Van Nuys, California - not Scotland. During a recent visit to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland meeting with the Superintendent, the Academic Dean and Provost, Commandants, Commanders, Faculty, Staff, Midshipmen, and Alumni ... I was honored to observe the inner workings of one of America's most prestigious and efficiently run post-secondary institutions.
I will never forget listening to the Officer charged by the Pentagon to order all commercial airlines down on 9/11. His emotion mixed with discipline recalling the event is indelible in my mind as he described preparing to fire on an airplane hi-jacked and headed toward Chicago filled with American citizens - heroes on that fateful day. At the Naval Academy (with a graduation rate over 90%), Midshipmen learn and experience every thing from academics and state of the art technology, to military strategies of offense and defence, personal discipline and leadership.
Perhaps the most historic Naval figure is: John Paul Jones - Father of the US Navy. In Sept 23, 1779, under Jones commanding from the Bonhomme Richard, the American Navy defeated and captured a British man-of-war - the HMS Serapis. Jones had named his ship after Benjamin Franklin's nickname. Fierce fighting ensued, and when Bonhomme Richard began to sink, Commander Richard Pearson of the Serapis' called over to ask if Jones would surrender.
Jones responded, "I have not yet begun to fight!" -- a response that would become a slogan of the United States Navy. The ships kept firing, and eventually, the American ship ended up sinking, but not before Pearson surrendered and John Paul Jones took control of the HMS Serapis. This famous battle is commemorated in the stain-glassed window in the Right Transcept of the United States Naval Academy Cathedral.
Prematurely, I thought taking an Academy Tour would be like taking any typical guided tour - half listening to a dull presentation given by a duller individual. But, was I wrong! Visiting the USNA CATHEDRAL is an experience. Tuesdays at 12 noon is the Navy Choir rehearsal. As for the Cathedral Tour - our Guide wanted every visitor to carefully inspect each Tiffany Window. In doing so, one is able to learn some unpublished traditions behind the symbols found in the Sanctuary.
I'm sure you have heard it was John Paul Jones, who in time of courage and true leadership, was quoted in the battle at sea: "Don't give up the ship!". But have you ever read about the experience he had the night just prior to that major battle which changed the tide of history and established Jones as a leader in conflict? Enjoy the pictures from the United States Naval Academy.

Download Eternal Father by the U.S. Navy Band's Sea Chanters
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(Information from The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion
by LindaJo H. McKim, Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 1993)

The "Navy Hymn" is Eternal Father, Strong to Save. The original words were written as a poem in 1860 by William Whiting of Winchester, England, for a student who was about to sail for the United States. The melody, published in 1861, was composed by fellow Englishman, Rev. John Bacchus Dykes, an Episcopalian clergyman.

The hymn, found in most hymnals, is known as the "Navy hymn" because it is sung at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It is also sung on ships of the Royal Navy (U.K.).

Eternal Father was the favorite hymn of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (who had served as Secretary of the Navy) and was sung at his funeral in Hyde Park, New York, in April 1945. It was also played by the Navy Band in 1963 as the body of President John F. Kennedy (a PT boat Commander in World War II) was carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to lie in state.

The original words to The Navy Hymn are:

Verse 1 -
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose Arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Verse 2 -
O Christ! Whose Voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Verse 3 -
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Verse 4 -
O Trinity of Love and Power!
Our brethren Shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Now, here's the reason for creating this page - to visually enjoy and consider the meaning of the NEXT FOUR PHOTOS. The study of HISTORY can be really interesting, but tragically it can also fall prey to history readers, interpreters, revisers, and inventors.

On a hurried visit covering every aspect and seemingly every inch of the United States Naval Academy including its Campus and Cathedral in endless and exciting detail - commensurate with the discipline of the Academy, we found ourselves huddled together at the front of the Cathedral facing the Right Transept. It was there the Tour Guide paused pointing to the brilliant, sun-lite window directly in front of us. With a modulated voice echoing through the Cathedral interior, the Docent posed the following question, "Does anyone know what this picture represents?" The question produced a momentary silence... with only wonder echoing back in response.

Then, breaking the whispered stillness, our Guide continued, "This is Michael, the Archangel..." Huh?! What...?! The Guide repeated somewhat matter-of-factly, "This window represents Michael,... the Arch - Angel." A muffled "Why?" was heard... to which a further elaboration was given: "... tradition tells us leading up to this famous sea battle, as an Officer, John Paul Jones was rarely understood or appreciated by those under his command - usually to the point of open disregard, and occasionally on the verge of open mutiny." Nevertheless, Jones was singly determined to defeat the British Navy and continued to act as if the whole war depended on himself. The night before this sea battle (commemorated in the Cathedral window), Jones became agitated in his spirit. In addition, he acknowledged experiencing an unusual occurance - a vision... or was it a visitation...? Michael, the Archangel appeared to encourage him.

In the Scripture, little is known about angelic beings. I'm sure if we needed to know more about them, GOD is smart enough to clue us in. Regarding Michael, the Bibles says: Michael, the Archangel (described by another Angel - Gabriel in the book of Daniel 10:13; 21 as - the Chief of Princes; your Prince (Judah's Prince) - apparently assigned by GOD to watch over the people of Judah guarding their pathway. In Revelation 12:7, John the Revelator characterizes Michael as the most powerful of all the angel hosts who will one day in some future event cast out the Dragon from heaven...)

According to John Paul Jones, that night Michael assured him victory over the British man-of-war ship the following day. Thus at the point of imminent defeat in the heat of battle that next day when confronted by the British Captain, Jones' dogged, never-say-die attitude and confidence to be victorious in battle, even as history records... with all odds against him - when all hope was lost, he hollered back, "I have not yet begun to fight"... and led his men to secure the victory.

This window memorializes this great sea battle with Michael, the Archangel standing between the British frigit on the right and John Paul Jones' vessel on the left.

You might ask: Did this really happen? Did Michael, the Archangel actually appear to John Paul Jones? You might ask, but all I might respond is, "I don't know. I wasn't there." But then, neither were any of us present. What we do know is: John Paul Jones - the Father of the United States Navy was there, and he says it happened. We also know that history records the British were miraculously defeated inspite of the near fatal disaster of Jones' ship that ultimately sunk in the conflict.

And it is equally evident by what we see... that the United States Government authorized the expenditure of one heck of a lot of tax dollars memorializing in this Sacred Cathedral a very unusual event in the history of the United States Navy which, in and of itself, doesn't necessarily mean it actually happened. We could be looking at a stained glass window of Hansel and Gretel, or Alice in Wonderland, but instead, we're looking at Michael, the Archangel which is peculiarly interesting in light of the trendy critical concern and fashionable protest over "separation of church and state" issues.

By the way, John Paul Jones is buried in the Crypt beneath this part of the Cathedral.

BELOW -- Click on the following pictures to enlarge them - particularly: Michael, the Archangel and enjoy viewing the stain-glass windows in detail.

As a follow up to all this narrative, you might ask yourself: 1. What country in our world-wide community has historically lifted up the Name of the Lord JESUS, the Christ and Savior - not only in their sacred halls of worship, but also in their public buildings and halls of military strategy and decision-making? Has the Russian government? The Chinese? The Canadian or Mexican governments? Any of the African, European or Asian nations? And as Hosea prophesied, which of these Nations would the people become known as the Sons and Daughters of "the Living GOD"?

And out of ALL those countries that come to mind, then ask: 2. Which Great Nation in the last days (as it says in ISAIAH - "far, far to the west") will most likely be "the Gift" sent by the LORD of Glory to protect and defend Jerusalem and its ancient brothers?

Four interior pictures from the United States Naval Academy Cathedral.

The FIRST picture is the Cathedral Nave facing the Altar.

The SECOND photo is of the Chancel proper and the Altar area beneath a vaulted Cathedral Dome.

The THIRD is of the stain-glassed window above the Altar - "JESUS walking on the water commanding, "Peace. Be still!". And above this window is inscribed: Eternal Father, Strong to Save.

The FOURTH photo is of the Window in the Right Transept of the Cathedral : Michael, the Archangel."

Several alternate verses to the Navy Hymn - Eternal Father... have been composed through the years. Some of these are listed with their authors:

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair;
Oh, hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air!
Mary C. D. Hamilton (1915)

Oh, Watchful Father Who dost keep
Eternal vigil while we sleep
Guide those who navigate on high
Who through grave unknown perils fly,
Receive our oft-repeated prayer
For those in peril in the air.
Emma Mayhew Whiting (1943)

Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, Thy Law fulfill;
Be Thou the Shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.
J. E. Seim (1966)

Lord, stand beside the men who build,
And give them courage, strength, and skill.
O grant them peace of heart and mind,
And comfort loved ones left behind.
Lord, hear our prayers for all Seabees,
Where'er they be on land or sea.
R. J. Dietrich (1960)

Lord God, our Power evermore,
Whose Arm doth reach the ocean floor,
Dive with our men beneath the sea;
Traverse the depths protectively.
O hear us when we pray, and keep
Them safe from peril in the deep.
David B. Miller (1965)

O God, protect the women who,
In service, faith in Thee renew;
O Guide devoted hands of skill
And Bless their work within Thy Will;
Inspire their lives that they may be
Examples fair on land and sea.
Truitt (1948) adapted Shannon (1973)

Creator, Father, Who dost show
Thy splendor in the ice and snow,
Bless those who toil in summer light
And through the cold antarctic night,
As they Thy frozen wonders learn;
Bless those who wait for their return.
L.E. Vogel (1965)

Eternal Father, Lord of hosts,
Watch o'er the men who guard our coasts.
Protect them from the raging seas
And give them light and life and peace.
Grant them from Thy Great Throne above
The Shield and Shelter of Thy Love.
(Author unknown)

Eternal Father, King of birth,
Who didst create the heaven and earth,
And bid the planets and the sun
Their own appointed orbits run;
O hear us when we seek Thy Grace
For those who soar through outer space.
J. E. Volonte (1961)

Creator, Father, Who first breathed
In us the life that we received,
By Power of Thy Breath restore
The ill, and men with wounds of war.
Bless those who give their healing care,
That life and laughter all may share.
Meyer (1969) Adapted by Shannon (1970)

God, Who dost still the restless foam,
Protect the ones we love at home.
Provide that they should always be
By Thine Own Grace both safe and free.
O Father, hear us when we pray
For those we love so far away.
Hugh Taylor (date Unknown)

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
And those who on the ocean ply;
Be with our troops upon the land,
And all who for their country stand:
Be with these guardians day and night
And may their trust be in Thy Might.
(Author unknown - 1955)

O Father, King of earth and sea,
We dedicate this ship to Thee.
In faith we send her on her way;
In faith to Thee we humbly pray:
O hear from heaven our sailor's cry
And watch and guard her from on high!
(Author unknown)

And when at length her course is run,
Her work for home and country done,
Of all the souls that in her sailed
Let not one life in Thee have failed;
But hear from heaven our sailor's cry,
And grant Eternal Life on high!
(Author unknown)

For a much better explanation of these themes that do not fit the current thinking of modern, 21st century, educated folk... as well as many more unusual events found in history glaring at us, unsettling our safety zones, and challegning our philosophic reasoning, tune it to Dr. Scott's broadcast.

The LAST DAY promises of GOD to the Children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

The Great Nation - at the end of history as we know it... recorded by Isaiah, the Prophet

America's Destiny - a strange prophesy originating in Scotland in the early 1700's... found in the Library of Congress

Speeches and Writings by Abraham Lincoln

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