THE  TENNESSEE  VOLUNTEERS

    Davy Crockett was anxious to be on his way to Texas and meet up with his friend Sam Houston.  Several of his friends could have gone with him, but couldn't until after the harvest.  So Davy went without them.  When he got to Nacogdoches, he received word from Sam Houston, he told Davy in good faith to meet him in San Antonio at a place called the Alamo.  Davy wrote back to his wife in Tennessee  to tell his friends to come on, that there was need for them.

    Bob Campbell and eleven volunteers from Tennessee rode into Andy Gossett's yard on January 20, 1836.  Davy Crockett was there to greet his friends.  There they stayed the night and rested their horses and replenished their supplies.

    Davy Crockett lead them toward San Antonio, and called for a rest about twenty miles from the Gossett farm.  He didn't want to be a burden to the Gossett family, but  "the horses need more rest" he said, "before we settle down to hard ridin'."

    Crockett and the twelve Tennessee Volunteers slipped through the Mexican lines and entered the Alamo on February 11, 1836.  The arrival of Crockett and the Tennessee patriots brought the total force at the Alamo to 181 men.

    The Texans and Tennesseans fought bravely at the Alamo for civil and religious freedom.  The odds were greatly against them, by the forces of Santa Anna piling in by great numbers (5,000), they knew they would eventually be defeated, yet they wavered not for the cause of freedom and died manfully.  The men at the Alamo took out about 1,500 of Santa Anna's soldiers.

    Because of these Volunteers from Tennessee who fought for freedom against Catholic Mexico, Tennessee is known today as the Volunteer State.  This really speaks volumes on behalf of Tennesseans.  Texans can't help but love them for their big heart, to be willing to lay down their lives for the cause of freedom from oppression, how beautiful it is.

    Yes, the Scriptures are still true as ever, where it states: "In her (the Catholic church) was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Revelation 18:24. 

    This heroic effort inspired Texans to keep on resisting tyranny.

    Listen to how the Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia defines "Voluntarism-, the principle or system which advocates the complete separation of church and state, and the support of the church by voluntary contributions."  Voluntary involves a sacrifice.  To give of your freewill without reward.  If you cannot give to the cause without receiving a tax deduction, its not voluntary!  It is possible to receive reward if the cause wins or is victorious. 

    YAHUSHUA the Messiah pointed out an example of a Volunteer.  When He "sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 

    And He called His disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:41-44.  In other words she gave when it hurt to do so.

    "The law of love being the foundation of the government of (Elohim), the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness.  (Elohim) desires from all His creatures the service of love--service that springs from an appreciation of His character.  He takes no pleasure in forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service." Patriarchs & Prophets p. 34

    "(Messiah) sacrificed everything for man, in order to make it possible for him to gain heaven.  Now it is for fallen man to show what he will sacrifice on his own account, for (Messiah's) sake, that he may win immortal glory." Messages to Young People p. 98

    "The suffering (YAHUSHUA), His love so deep as to lead Him to give His life for man, was again held up before me; also the lives of those who professed to be His followers, who had this world's goods, but considered it so great a thing to help the cause of salvation.  The angel said, 'Can such enter heavens?'  Another angel answered, 'No, never, never, never.  Those who are not interested in the cause of (Elohim) on earth can never sing the song of redeeming love above.'  I saw that the quick work that Elohim was doing on the earth would soon be cut short in righteousness and that the messengers must speed swiftly on their way to search out the scattered flock.  An angel said, 'Are all messengers?'  Another answered, 'No, no; (Elohim's) messengers have a message'." Early Writings p. 50

    Voluntary service is the only kind acceptable to YAHUWAH!

    After the defeat at the Alamo, Sam Houston said, "I hope Texas remembers." 

    I can't help but think that this statement had a two-fold application.  Texas meaning the people and/or state of Texas, and Texas meaning friend, and applied as Stephen Austin stated in church,  "We have one which ought not and certainly will not fail us,"  that is YAHUSHUA the Messiah, our best FRIEND.  Texans really like the song "What a Friend we have in YAHUSHUA".  Sometimes when Texans mention the word Texas, they were subtly talking about their Friend YAHUSHUA.  Thus when Sam Houston said "I hope Texas remembers" meaning perhaps that I hope Texas (YAHUSHUA) remembers them in the resurrection.

 YAHUSHUA Was the Greatest Volunteer! 

    "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

    Ye are My friends, if you do (voluntarily) whatsoever I command you." John 15:13, 14

    "Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year.  Thou shalt keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib." etc. Ex. 23:14-17. 

    "All that (YAHUWAH's) word commands, we are to obey." Education p. 189

    "Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross." Great Controversy p. 316

    To obey the commandments and the statutes, you are called upon to be a Volunteer, and make the necessary sacrifice!  You could loose your job!  The reason that there are not more believers in the statutes, specifically the Feast Days, is because they are afraid of loosing their security.  "Hath not Elohim chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them which love Him." Jacob 2:5  Be a Volunteer, your sacrifice will encourage others!

   If we "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" Ex 20:8, and  "remember ye the law of Moses . . . .  with the statutes and the judgments." Mal. 4:4. Surely our Friend will put our name in the Book of Remembrance who  "feared YAHUWAH and thought upon His name." Mal. 3:16.  The work began in sacrifice and it will end thus.

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