Arizona Sunrise

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.
John Avery Whitaker: Oh, hi there. Welcome to Odyssey. I'm John Avery Whitaker, but most folks around here call me Whit. Why don't you get the whole family together and join us for another exciting adventure in Odyssey.
Jack Allen: Does your history day have a theme?
Cody: Yeah, the Old West.
Jack Allen: Nice of them to narrow it down for you.
Cody: What's a circuit rider?
Guest (Male): She's gone.
Reese: Why do you come to our village, Mr. Nary?
Chief Messiah: Just get out of here while the getting is good.
Guest (Male): From the creators of Adventures in Odyssey comes a whole new way for kids to explore faith and history. Step aboard the Imagination Station where cousins Patrick and Beth travel through time, meeting heroes and discovering God's truth along the way. Guided by the wisdom of John Avery Whitaker, these action-packed books bring the Bible and other historical events to life. Fuel your child's imagination and their faith at the imaginationstation.com. That's the imaginationstation.com.
Cody: Excuse me, Mr. Allen?
Jack Allen: Oh, hello Cody.
Cody: I'm looking for you, Jean. Connie said he was here at your antique gallery.
Jack Allen: Was is right. He left a little while ago to meet Katrina at the college.
Cody: Rats. He won't want to help me now that they're together.
Jack Allen: Help you with what?
Cody: Look up some stuff on the internet for my history day project.
Jack Allen: Hm, maybe I can help you. I'm online right now.
Cody: Really?
Jack Allen: Mhm. What do you want to look up?
Cody: Well, I'm not sure exactly.
Jack Allen: All right, let's start at the beginning. Just what is your history day project?
Cody: That's what I was hoping we could look up.
Jack Allen: Oh, I see. Then you haven't even started on it yet.
Cody: Not unless thinking about it a lot counts.
Jack Allen: It does, but there comes a time when you have to stop thinking and start doing.
Cody: That's why I was looking for you, Jean.
Jack Allen: So I gathered. Does your history day have a theme?
Cody: Yeah, the Old West.
Jack Allen: That's it, just the Old West.
Cody: Yep.
Jack Allen: Hm, nice of them to narrow it down for you. Well, Cody, you're in luck. It just so happens that I was reading about the Old West before you came in.
Cody: You were? Why?
Jack Allen: See that crate there? Look inside.
Cody: Wow, it's a saddle.
Jack Allen: I received it last week from a museum in California. And look, there's an inscription on the bottom.
Cody: Reverend James Clinger, circuit rider, Arizona Territory, saved by grace. What's a circuit rider? Sounds like something in a computer.
Jack Allen: I guess it does at that. But back in the Old West, a circuit wasn't anything electronic. It was a trail. This website tells all about it. See, a lot of towns on the frontier didn't have a church. So a preacher would be appointed to minister all through the territory. He would ride his circuit from place to place, preaching the gospel, performing marriages, doing all kinds of things for people.
Cody: Huh, I never knew that.
Jack Allen: Huh, here we go. Read this.
Cody: God's Rider, The Life of Reverend James Clinger. Wow, that's the name on the saddle.
Jack Allen: Right. And according to this, circuit riders were involved in a lot of dangerous and exciting adventures, especially Reverend Clinger.
Cody: Really?
Jack Allen: Oh, oh, yes. Let's see, I was just reading about one a few minutes ago. Huh, here it is.
Cody: The Apache Wars had finally come to an end. The killing and bloodshed had gone on for more than 30 years, and there seemed to be a wall of fear and hatred between white and Apache. Into this maelstrom, the circuit rider came, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.
Reverend James Clinger: For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely will a man die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a good man, someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Do you understand what this means?
Reese: No, Clinger.
Reverend James Clinger: Would an Apache die for his enemy?
Reese: No, Apache would kill his enemy.
Reverend James Clinger: So would many of my people. Isn't that right, Reese?
Reese: Yes, right, Reverend.
Reverend James Clinger: We're all enemies of the great God because we've done many things to displease him.
Reese: Including killing our enemies.
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, we deserve to die, but the great God sent his son Jesus to die in our place so that we might live with him forever.
Captain: Why would the great God do this? Is he a fool?
Reverend James Clinger: No, the great God is love. He loves us.
Reese: White man religion makes no sense to me.
Reverend James Clinger: Well, sometimes God's grace doesn't make sense to me either, but let me put it this way. If your son was about to die and you had the chance to save him by dying in his place, would you?
Reese: Yes.
Reverend James Clinger: Well, God considers all of us, white and Apache, to be his sons, his adopted sons. Though we deserve to die, he doesn't want us to.
Captain: So he sent his true son to die in our place? That's right.
Reese: Reese, this is a hard teaching.
Reverend James Clinger: We must think on your words. That is all I ask. Farewell, my friends.
Reese: Farewell.
Reverend James Clinger: Farewell, Clinger.
Reese: Do you really think these savages are going to come around, Reverend?
Reverend James Clinger: The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, Reese. It pierces the heart with truth and love. Besides, you came around and you were pretty savage yourself as I remember.
Reese: Yeah, I guess I can't argue with that.
Sergeant: Detail, halt.
Reverend James Clinger: Soldiers.
Reese: Sergeant tells me they ain't here to attend the prayer meeting.
Reverend James Clinger: Reverend Clinger?
Captain: Yes, Sergeant. What can I do for you?
Reverend James Clinger: You can accompany me back to the fort, sir.
Reese: What for?
Reverend James Clinger: Captain's orders.
Reese: And just what is your captain want with the good Reverend?
Reverend James Clinger: That's none of my business, Reese. I was just ordered to come get him.
Captain: All right, Sergeant. Tell the captain we'll be with him directly.
Reverend James Clinger: My orders are to escort you personally, Reverend.
Captain: I see. Well then, we better not keep you or your captain waiting. Saddle the horses, Reese. The Apaches are heathens, Reverend Clinger.
Reverend James Clinger: We are all heathens at some point in our lives, Captain.
Reese: The difference is the Apaches will always be heathens. They haven't the ability or the inclination to change. You're wasting your time trying to convert them.
Reverend James Clinger: Perhaps, but they are my calling just as surely as the people in the towns and my circuit are my calling. And if I do not preach to them, to quote the apostle Paul, woe is me.
Reese: How can you do it, Clinger? How can you risk your life for these savages after what they've done to you and your family?
Reverend James Clinger: That's enough, Captain. I told you before, they are my calling and I will not abandon them.
Reese: And nothing I say will persuade you otherwise?
Reverend James Clinger: No.
Reese: I had to make sure.
Reverend James Clinger: Make sure of what?
Reese: Your resolve. You see, I received a piece of news this morning I thought might interest you.
Reverend James Clinger: What news?
Reese: Messiah, the old chief has gone to his desert walk.
Reverend James Clinger: Oh, oh.
Captain: So?
Reverend James Clinger: Tell him, Reese.
Reese: It's an old Apache spiritual custom, Reverend. When the old ones get sick, they walk out into the desert, spread their war trophies around them and wait to die.
Reverend James Clinger: Die? No, he can't. The last time we spoke, he seemed very receptive.
Reese: As I said, Reverend, heathens they are and heathens they will always be.
Reverend James Clinger: Not if I can help it, Reese. Hitch up the wagon.
Reese: No, no, wait a minute. Now you're not actually thinking of going after him?
Reverend James Clinger: His soul is in my charge, Reese. I cannot let him go without giving him the opportunity to respond to the gospel. Besides, we might be able to save his life as well.
Reese: But Reverend,
Reverend James Clinger: If you don't want to come along, fine, but I'm going.
Reese: Stubborn, isn't he?
Chief Messiah: That he is, Captain.
Reese: You going with him?
Chief Messiah: Yeah, I reckon.
Reverend James Clinger: Why?
Reese: Because of something the good Reverend gave me.
Reverend James Clinger: What's that?
Reese: The good Lord's love.
Reverend James Clinger: What?
Reese: Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of times when I still feel the devil's pull, but now God's love helps me to overcome it. And James Clinger introduced me to that love. So now I go with him to help him in his work and make sure nothing happens to him. I suppose that sounds strange to you.
Captain: Not so strange you might think. You remember when I asked him how he could risk his life for the Apaches after what they did to him?
Reese: Yeah, I was wondering about that. Just what did they do to him anyway?
Captain: 20 years ago, they killed his mother.
Cody: Wow, the Apaches killed Reverend Clinger's mother?
Jack Allen: That's what it says, Cody.
Cody: And he still helped them?
Jack Allen: Apparently so. That's the power of God's love. It can change the heart of someone like Reese and compel a man to help the people who killed his family.
Cody: Yeah. So did Reverend Clinger find the old chief?
Jack Allen: Let 's keep reading and find out.
Cody: Right. Messiah was a proud warrior who had fought alongside of Cochi's
Jack Allen: Mhm.
Cody: and conducted many raids on white settlers and wagon trains. Clinger and Reese figured the best place to look for the old chief was in his village in the northern part of the territory. Needless to say, their reception was less than cordial.
Reese: Don't look now, Reverend, but the welcoming committee don't look very pleased to see us.
Reverend James Clinger: It's all right, Reese. I've been here many times.
Reese: I'm the same. I'd be much obliged if you'd pray for some of that protection you was talking about earlier. Woah. Why do you come to our village, Mr. Nary?
Reverend James Clinger: We have heard that Chief Messiah is sick. We have come to take him to a doctor.
Guest (Male): The Apache has no use for white man's medicine
Reese: or for white man's religion.
Reverend James Clinger: It is possible that Chief Messiah can be with you for many more years, but you must allow us to help him. Messiah has gone to the desert to die. It is the Apache way. We are forbidden to help him. It is not forbidden for those who are not Apache. If you will only tell us which direction he went, we can save his life.
Reese: Messiah knows the ways of things. Go to your home, missionary.
Reverend James Clinger: Isn't there anyone among you who will help us?
Cody: I will.
Chris: I will not be quiet. My grandfather needs help.
Reese: Grandfather?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, of course. I I've seen you before. What's your name, child?
Reese: Oh, there's a mouthful.
Reverend James Clinger: Reese.
Chris: If you find my grandfather, will you use the white man's magic to make him well again?
Reverend James Clinger: We will take him to a doctor who will give him medicine. And lord willing, it will make him well.
Chris: And do you promise to bring him back here?
Reverend James Clinger: If that is his wish.
Chris: Then I will show you which way he went.
Reese: If you do this thing, you betray the people and you will no longer be part of the tribe.
Chris: Reverend, I have heard you speak of your God to my grandfather. You said all are equal in your God's eyes. Is this true?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, he is not just my God or the white man's God. He is the God of all people.
Chris: Then I will believe in your God.
Reese: So be it.
Chief Messiah: I'm moving up, girl. We best get out of here while the getting is good. Yeah.
Chris: Grandfather left early this morning and went west toward Big Rock. From there, we will have to track him.
Reverend James Clinger: That's your department, Reese.
Reese: Yeah.
Chris: He said that after today, he will not see another sunrise. Our God can help us find him, can't he, Reverend?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, he can. And I believe he will.
Reese: He'd better. That's a big desert out there.
Chris: Are you sure you don't want more to eat, We need your strength.
Nalicadea: We should not be stopping. We should be searching. Grandfather is close by. I can feel it.
Reese: Well, I'm a good scout, little lady. You and I can't find signs in the dark, not your grandfathers anyway. Well, better go check on the horses.
Nalicadea: He is your protector. And my friend and my brother.
Chris: Brother?
Reverend James Clinger: And Christ.
Nalicadea: Our God?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes. Is Messiah your only family? I mean, where is your mother and father?
Chris: Killed by the soldiers.
Reverend James Clinger: I'm sorry.
Chris: I was a baby. I do not remember them at all.
Reverend James Clinger: Well, you're fortunate. I remember my mother all too well.
Chris: Was she killed?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes. We were part of a wagon train. Even though we were on a dusty, dirty trail, she somehow managed to keep that wagon spotless. She expected my father and me to stay that way too. And that's why we were washing up at a creek when the raid came.
Chris: Was it Apaches?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes. They came like lightning, burned everything, carried off most of the women and children, including my mother. My father found a horse and took off after them, but it was too late. He never told me how she died, but it must have been terrible. After a while, the grief got to be too much for him. A couple of months later, he took a gun and walked out into the desert. And that was the last time I saw him alive. My father died not knowing Jesus, That is why I'm looking for your grandfather. I don't want that to happen to him.
Chris: Then we must go to him now. Please, Reverend.
Reverend James Clinger: No, no, we can't.
Reese: Reverend, don't get your feathers up, but there's a rider coming in.
Reverend James Clinger: Friendly?
Reese: Can't tell.
Payosene: Hello in the camp. I am coming in.
Reverend James Clinger: Come ahead and welcome.
Payosene: Easy, brother. Just take it nice and slow and keep your hands where I can see them.
Reverend James Clinger: Don't be so jumpy, Reese.
Payosene: You know me?
Reverend James Clinger: Who are you?
Payosene: My name is Payosene, Apache scout for the US Cavalry.
Reese: Step closer to the fire. Is it better?
Payosene: Yeah. I've seen you around the fort.
Reverend James Clinger: What are you doing out here?
Payosene: Captain sent me to look for you to help you bring in old Messiah.
Reese: Now why would he do that?
Payosene: I overheard some of the young Apache bucks talking today. They say Messiah wants peace, but they do not. They will keep the peace as long as Messiah lives, but when he dies, they will attack.
Reverend James Clinger: We'll be massacred.
Payosene: Not if Messiah is there to stop them. That's why the captain wants him brought back alive.
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, of course. You must join us.
Reese: Wait a minute, Reverend. How come you didn't try to find Messiah yourself?
Payosene: I told you, I'm a scout, not a tracker.
Reese: You found us.
Payosene: You were easy.
Reverend James Clinger: The captain knew you would go to Messiah's village, so I went there too. Then I followed your wagon tracks. Satisfied, Reese?
Reese: I don't know, Reverend. We spent a lot of time in these Apache camps and villages and we ain't heard anything about any uprising.
Payosene: Apaches are not in the habit of letting the white man know about their plans.
Reverend James Clinger: Reese has a point though. Have you heard anything about an uprising, Nalicadea? Nalicadea? Oh, no.
Reese: Where is she?
Reverend James Clinger: She's run off. She's gone.
Chris: Want to contact us about the episodes you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1 800 A Family with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.
Reese: She's gone. Where to?
Reverend James Clinger: To find Messiah, I expect. She said she felt he was close by. She was worried he wouldn't survive the night.
Reese: Now neither one of them may survive.
Reverend James Clinger: Reese, can you track her?
Reese: Well, she won't be as worried about covering her trail as Messiah was, but tracking anyone in the dark is hard work.
Reverend James Clinger: We have to try.
Reese: It looks like she came this way, Reverend, but here's where the tracks stop.
Reverend James Clinger: Stop? How can that be?
Reese: My guess is she went up the side of this hill. It's all rock.
Reverend James Clinger: Nalicadea? Nalicadea, where are you, child?
Reese: I tell you what, she sure is fast for a young 'un. She must have covered more than 2 miles since
Reverend James Clinger: Quiet, Reese. Listen.
Chris: Reverend Clinger.
Reverend James Clinger: She's up there. I hear you, Nalicadea.
Chris: I have found him. Hurry, please.
Reverend James Clinger: All right, we're coming.
Chris: Reese, Reverend, grandfather is very sick.
Reverend James Clinger: It's all right. We're here now. Chief Messiah?
Chief Messiah: Go away.
Reverend James Clinger: Your granddaughter has brought us to you.
Chief Messiah: She should not have. You should all let me die.
Chris: No, grandfather, please.
Reverend James Clinger: We can take you to a doctor, Messiah.
Reese: We can save your life, you old buzzard.
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, old one. They have come to save you.
Chief Messiah: But I have not.
Reverend James Clinger: All right, Reese. Drag him back.
Reese: You better not do much as twitch if you know what's good for you.
Reverend James Clinger: Why, Payosene?
Reese: Killed my father and my brother. Do you remember, old man?
Chief Messiah: I remember. They work for army like you. They were enemies of the Apache.
Reese: Let me kill him, Reverend. The Apache way.
Reverend James Clinger: With the knife, the way he did my father and brother. Then the Christian God and the great spirit can both reject him.
Reese: No.
Chief Messiah: You shouldn't let him kill me, missionary.
Chris: Grandfather?
Chief Messiah: It is a good way to die. I have killed many in my life, both red and white. See my war trophies spread out before me. This belong to his father and this to his brother.
Chris: No.
Reese: Simmer down.
Reverend James Clinger: Messiah?
Chief Messiah: What, missionary? You like something?
Reverend James Clinger: Where did you get this necklace?
Chief Messiah: White woman's necklace. From the days when I rode with Cochi's. Young woman, golden hair. That was a good raid.
Chris: Oh, dear God.
Reese: Reverend, what is it? What's the matter?
Reverend James Clinger: Necklace. It belonged to my mother.
Reese: What?
Reverend James Clinger: You killed my mother.
Chief Messiah: You killed the Apache butcher.
Chris: Reese.
Reese: I'm going to kill Messiah with my own knife and yours will do just as well, big man.
Chris: I will not let you.
Reese: Messiah, girl.
Chris: You cannot.
Reese: I said move away.
Reverend James Clinger: Now, old man, you will die as you have killed so many others.
Chris: No.
Reese: What?
Reverend James Clinger: I said no.
Reese: You stop me? You should want this as much as me.
Reverend James Clinger: I do. God forgive me, I do. But it's wrong. The wrongs he committed, the murders. We must not repay evil with evil. No matter how much we may want to, no matter how right it may seem.
Reese: It's either the missionary way or it's not the Apache way. Now step aside.
Reverend James Clinger: No.
Reese: Step aside, white man. Step aside or die.
Reverend James Clinger: If that is the choice, I will die.
Reese: Think of how your mother suffered. You risked your life for the man who killed her.
Reverend James Clinger: I know.
Reese: Then let me make him suffer.
Reverend James Clinger: No, Payosene. To kill Messiah, you will have to kill me first.
Reese: Put the next one right through your heart, Payosene. And that's the gospel truth.
Reverend James Clinger: It all right, Reese.
Reese: Fool. You should let me kill him.
Reverend James Clinger: I may be a fool, but I'm also a Christian.
Reese: Old man, if you live, you better listen to the white man's words. Where does the Geronimo has also become a Christian? But I think he has not seen the forgiveness that you have seen this night.
Reverend James Clinger: How's your head, Reese?
Reese: Tight around the war drum. It 'll be fine when it stops pounding. Missionary?
Chris: Please, grandfather, you need rest.
Chief Messiah: I must speak, child. Missionary?
Reverend James Clinger: Yes, Messiah.
Chief Messiah: You protected me even though I
Reverend James Clinger: Yes.
Chief Messiah: Why?
Reverend James Clinger: I've been commanded to forgive.
Chief Messiah: Is this the way of your God?
Reverend James Clinger: It is.
Chief Messiah: Perhaps I should hear more about this God. Will you tell me?
Reverend James Clinger: You just lie back, Messiah. I'll tell you all about it.
Chris: Grandfather, look.
Chief Messiah: What?
Chris: In the East.
Chief Messiah: First light.
Chris: It is the sunrise, grandfather. You have lived to see another Arizona sunrise.
Guest (Male): The army doctor helped keep the old chief alive, and then Clinger nursed him back to health. Eventually, both he and his granddaughter became Christians, the first among many in their village. Wow, that's a great story, Mr. Allen.
Cody: It just goes to show you there were more people in the Old West than just outlaws and gun fighters.
Cody: But how come I've never heard about them before?
Cody: Well, just like today, Cody, the good people don't get the publicity. So you think you might have a project for history day now?
Cody: Absolutely, Mr. Allen. This is a story that needs to be told.
Chris: You know, Reverend Clinger represented just one of many kinds of Christians who made a significant contribution to settling the West and our country in general, from evangelists and missionaries to doctors and nurses, to teachers and lawmen, to ranchers and cowboys. Their stories may not be filled with the shoot-'em-up escapades of people like Wyatt Earp or Jesse James, but as we heard today, that doesn't make their stories any less exciting, interesting, important, or deserving to be told. And that's it for now, except to say that if you want to write to us, we'd love to hear from you. Our address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own cassette of today's episode. It's called Arizona Sunrise. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family.