John Smith and John Winthrop both had a mission. Even though their goals were similar the way they wanted to accomplish those goals was completely different. Both of them had the goal to promote a successful New World and for the people of the New World to have a life of fulfillment. John Smith wanted to get to that goal by focusing on one working hard for oneself to become successful, in a financial way. John Winthrop focused on Christ’s love binding people together, and by becoming successful with His justice and mercy. A lot of what John Smith focused on was how to become wealthy and gain the “American dream”. His writings were very self-promoting and had a marketing appeal. It is also said that he milked his stories. From The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles he wrote, “Captain Smith, who, by his own example, good words, and fair promises, set some to mow, others to bind thatch, some to build houses, others to thatch them, himself always bearing the greatest task for his own share, so that in short time he provided most of them lodgings, neglecting any for himself.” It is hard for me to believe that he did not take any lodgings for himself, and his lack on humbleness perplexes me. In John Winthrop’s writing A Model of Christian Charity he wrote, “Therefore let us choose life, that we and our seed may live by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him, for He is our life and our prosperity”. His goal was based on relying on Christ for direction rather than humanity. I definitely agree with John Winthrop, but I also can’t judge John Smith. There have been many times in my life when my inspiration for achieving something is for financial gain, rather than for the glory of God. I also have made many decisions that I’ve made without praying about them first, but I don’t recommend. I hope that I’ll live my life based on John Winthrop’s views rather than John Smith’s, even though I know that I’ll continue to make mistakes.
That's very interesting and helpful
ReplyDelete