Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

What kind of education inspired the brilliant orator, Patrick Henry? Listen as Home School Legal Defense Association Chairman and General Counsel Michael Farris tells how early influences shaped the life of this patriot, today on Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:
Patrick Henry, born in rural Virginia on May 29, 1736, began his education, as did most boys his age, at an English common school.

At the age of 10, Patrick's father, who was educated at King's College in Scotland, began to tutor him in Latin, Greek, mathematics, and ancient and modern history. By the age of fifteen, with his formal education completed, Patrick had an astounding command of the English language and the historic principles that rule the lives of men. He had his father to thank.

Patrick's mother was known for her lively speech. A devout Christian, she faithfully took Patrick to hear the Reverend Samuel Davies, a dissenting preacher, whose sermons were eloquent and piercing. Patrick learned from Davies' dramatic oratory style.

Patrick was a self-motivated learner, completing the reading for the bar exam in just six weeks. Judge Peter Lyons, the King's Attorney, said of him: ". . . whenever he arose, although it be on so trifling a subject as a summons and petition for twenty shillings, I was obliged to lay down my pen, and could not write another word until the speech was finished."

By exposing our children to great men, their writings, their speeches, and their stories, I believe that God can bless our efforts, as He did Henry's father, to educate our children to be the next generation of thoughtful, reasoned, and impassioned patriots. I'm Mike Farris.