During the summer of 2019, my son was doing his clinical rotations. So the Familty, and I went to visit him over the Fourth of July in Dayton, Ohio. What is Dayton famous for? That’s right, Dayton is famous because the Wright Brothers built the first airplane there. Between parades and fireworks and visiting his lab, I read many internet articles about the Wright Brothers. When I discovered one particularly amazing fact, I said to myself, “I have got to use that in a sermon.” You will have to wait until the end for the most amazing fact. Most of the information about the Wright Brothers in this sermon comes from the book The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. The spiritual lessons come from God’s word, the Bible.
Wilbur, the third of seven children, was born on April 16, 1867 in Millville, Indiana, 70 miles west of Dayton. Orville, the sixth of seven children, was born August 19, 1871, in Dayton. None of the Wright children were given middle names. Instead their father tried to give them distinct first names. (I would say he succeeded in 3 of the seven: Reuchlin, Lorin Wright, Wilbur, Wright, Otis, Ida, Orville, and Katherine.) Because of their father’s job as a bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, the family moved often, 12 times between 1877 and 1884 when they returned to Dayton.
Neither of the Orville nor Wilber Graduated from High School. Wilbur was an excellent student. In the era before grade inflation, his grades were all in the 90’s and he was an excellent athlete. There was talk of him going to Yale. However, in 1884 the family had to move abruptly back to Dayton. It was near the end of Wilbur’s senior year and even though he had completed 95% of the requirements, he could not graduate. The diploma was awarded posthumously in 1994. Even worse in the winter of 1884-1885 Wilber was playing ice hockey and was hit in the mouth with a hockey stick, knocking out most of his upper front teeth. Excruciating pain, false teeth, digestive problems led to depression. For three years Wilber became a recluse, largely housebound. During this time he took care of his mother who was dying of tuberculosis. Bishop Wright credits Wilbur with lengthening his mother’s life by two years. (Lessons: Depression, End from the beginning)
Lesson 1. The Lord Is Close To The Brokenhearted. Throughout the Bible, there are a number of stories about godly, influential men and women of faith, who struggled and battled through dark times of hopelessness and depression. David, Jonah, Job, Moses, Jeremiah, and Elijah all said things like, “I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” in 1 Kings 19:4. Even Jesus Himself was deeply anguished over what lay before Him. In the garden Jesus prayed, all alone, calling out to His Father, asking Him for another way. “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death....remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.'" Mark 14:34-36. We can be assured, that in whatever we face, Jesus understands our weakness and suffering, our greatest times of temptation and despair, because he too traveled that road.
What’s true about all of these stories and many others is this: God was with them. Close. Near. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps. 34:18. He was there in the good days and in the dark days too. He didn’t condemn them for their questions and pain. He didn’t tell them to just tough it out. He reached down to their deepest pit of suffering, and lifted them out. He cared. He showed compassion. He offered mercy. He brought hope. He instilled purpose. He gave victory. And He still works in the same way today.
Our world desperately need joy-givers, hope-bringers, those in our lives who will help us remember what real grace is and where lasting help is found. The greatest truth is this, we have a Savior who understands our pain, who knows about every weakness and hurt, and reaches out with compassion and hope. He is Healer. Redeemer. Restorer. And friend. He will never waste the seasons of suffering we face, but will use it, in some way, to bring good, to instill purpose, to help others, and to make us stronger. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28. “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him” DA 225.
I struggled to put this in. As I was writing the story of the Wright Brothers and looking for lessons, depression occurred to me and I remember thinking, “that is odd for me”. There is no proof text, so I tried to take it out, but couldn’t. I think someone here today needs to hear this. Depression is complicated. Telling a depressed person that God is close may not be enough. Lesson 2: Get Help. Depression is a common, yet very treatable condition that affects many people in our world. Yet statistics tell us that only about one-third of those who are depressed actually receive treatment. This is unfortunate since 80-90% of those who do seek treatment often report feeling better within just a few weeks. Help is available. Don’t feel the need to try to hide your pain, or struggle through on your own. Talk to a friend or counselor. Seek out professional treatment and care.
Orville was only 15 when the family moved back to Dayton. Orville found out that his neighbor had a small printing outfit, so they became partners and started a printing business. A first they wrote and printed newspapers, The West Side News and The Dayton Tattler. Soon they discovered it was more profitable to do printing jobs for businesses. When they needed a bigger press, Orville and Wilber built one out of a damaged tombstone, buggy parts, and other odds and ends. In 1889, Orville dropped out of school in his Junior year to work full time in his printing business. He had become to sole owner. A grocery store paid their bill in popcorn. Orville’s partner wanted to eat the popcorn, Orville wanted to sell it and invest it. Orville sold his share of the popcorn to his partner in exchange for his partners share of the business. In time the business grew to pay each brother $500 per year.
The bicycle craze began in America in 1887. In the spring of 1892 Wilbur and Orville purchased their first bicycles. Wilbur preferred long country rides, while Orville enjoyed racing and considered himself a “scorcher” on the track. Knowing their mechanical ability, many friends asked them to repair their bicycles. In 1893 at ages 26 and 22, Wilbur and Orville opened their own bicycle repair and rental business. It soon expanded to sales. In 1895 they began manufacturing their own line of bikes in a machine shop above their showroom. The VanCleave had two new features, an oil retaining wheel hub and coaster brakes. By 1895 they were making 300 bikes a year and earning $3,000 a year.
Lesson 3. Invest Eternal Things. The brothers’ partner sold his share of the printing business for popcorn, which tasted good, but was soon gone. The brothers’ kept their investment and it paid them well, but even their money is now gone. The Bible tells us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal,” Matthew 6:20. Although we should not worry about it, a portion of our time and resources needs to go to provide food, clothes, shelter, and education. A portion also needs to be invested something of eternal value. Give an offering, someone could be in the kingdom because of a missionary you paid for. Take time to nurture your children, they may be in the kingdom because you did. Teach a Pathfinder honor. A Pathfinder may be in the kingdom because you did. Help your neighbor.
Lesson 4, Small Things Prepare You For Big Things. Although they did not know it, the brothers’ work a bike mechanics and builders helped prepare them to balance and build airplanes. How could they know that learning to balance a bike would help them learn to balance an airplane. How could they know that learning to build a bike would help them build an airplane. “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much,” Luke 16:10. Moses and David had to be faithful in herding sheep before they could lead God’s people. Joseph had to be faithful as a slave before he could be prime minister of Egypt. Samuel had to do menial chores in the temple before he could be a prophet. Perhaps the “small” job God has called you to now is preparing you for a “big” job later. There are no small parts, only small actors. Wax on. Wax off.
In the late summer of 1896, Orville was struck with dreaded typhoid. He was bedridden for six weeks. During this time Wilber began reading about the German glider enthusiast, Otto Lilienthal, to Orville. Lilienthal had built a primitive hang glider. He became famous the world over when he had himself photographed and appeared in newspapers. Sadly, the only way to control the glider was by shifting his weight. In August of 1896, Lilienthal crashed from 50 feet and died. News of Lilienthal’s death, Wilber later wrote, aroused in him as nothing had an interest that had remained passive since youth. He and Orville began an intense study of birds and flight. They wrote The Smithsonian and asked for literature on the subject. By 1899 they had decided they would design and build their own glider. Their emphasis would be on developing a system to control the glider and the skill to keep it in flight. Experience gliding would be necessary. Wilber had calculated that in the five yeas Lilienthal devoted to gliding, only five hours had been spent in flight. It was not enough.
Lesson 5. Jesus’ Sacrifice Compels Us. Just as Lilenthal’s death compelled Wilber to learn to fly, Christ’s love compels us to follow Jesus wherever He leads. “Because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” II Corinthians 5:14-15. We do not serve God out of fear. We do not serve God in hopes of earthly reward or protection. We do not earn our way to heaven through good works. We do not improve ourselves through good works. Because Jesus gave all for me, I will give whatever He asks of me. We look at what Jesus has and is doing for us and serve Him out of love.
Lesson 6. We Must Experience Jesus. Just as Lilienthal knowing about flight was not the same as flying, knowing about Jesus is not enough. Even the devils know about Jesus. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent,” John 17: 3. We must do more than know about Jesus. We must experience Him. But how? How did you experience riding a bike. You rode the bike, fell, rode, fell, rode. It’s the same with experienceing God. Listen for his voice in the Bible. Listen for His voice in others, in the beauty of nature, in books and sermons. Listen for His voice and then follow it. Try something small at first. As you grow you will recognize God’s voice with more certainty. The more you practice, the better you get.
In the summer of 1899 in the room above their bike shop, they began their first kite, a biplane made of bamboo and paper with a five foot wingspan. Wilber had noticed that when birds turn, they change the angle of one wing. The wing that meets the wind at a greater angle produces more lift on that side and the bird turns. Their kite had wings that could be twisted or warped by the operator. In early August they tested the kite. The wing warping did cause a turn, but the turn was so sharp that the kite crashed. To the wrights this was proof that wing warping worked, and they were ready to build a man- sized glider. By late August 1900, they had constructed the Wright Glider I, an 18-foot biplane glider made of pine (spruce and ash were not available) covered with sateen weighing 50 lbs (190 with a pilot). It included a new control device, an elevator. We would call it the tail of a plane. The Wright glider had the tail in the front of the plane. It prevented front dives and cushioned crashes. They wanted to test it at a place with reliable winds and sand for soft landings. The Weather Bureau recommended Kitt Hawk. After a two day train ride, Wilber arrived at Elizabeth City, a coastal city about 50 miles from Kitty Hawk. It took him four days to find a boat owner who had heard of Kitty Hawk! When Wilbur finally arrived at Kitty Hawk he asked the Tate Family if he could board with the Tate’s until his brother arrived and they could build a shelter. The Tates stepped into their bedroom to discuss it, but did not close the door. They were concerned their humble home would do for such a finely dressed gentleman. Wilbur convinced them otherwise and they accepted. It was the beginning of a friendship that would last decades.
First, they tested their glider, The Wright Glider I, as a kite, controlling it from the ground. Then Wilbur lay on it and flew it while Orville and Bill Tate ran along under it with ropes ties to it to keep it from flying to high. Eventually Wilbur glided 400 feet. They gave the glider to the Tates’. Addie Tate used the fabric to sew dresses for her daughters.
Lesson 7. Wausau Will Be Famous. In 1900 people living 50 miles from Kitty Hawk had never heard of it, now it is world famous. Why, because of what happened there. Orville and Wilbur made it famous. Tourists travel there and say, “This is where the first flight was.” We have already made Wausau famous. “and books were opened…And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books,” Revelation 20:11-12 In my imagination I see the redeemed in heaven watching Earth’s history on a giant screen or hologram to see if God has been just. They zero in on Wausau. It was right here where many of you helped with VBS. Phil is in the kingdom because of that. Wait! look over here. This is where Jamie listened to Gods voice and started the Beds For Kids Program. Sue is here now because of that. This is where Fan made hundreds of contacts working for Christian Record, Bill is here because of that. This is where Dave and Mark set up pickleball courts, Henry is here because of that.
Lesson 8: Hospitality is Important. If they had not been hospitable, the Tate family would be lost to history. Hospitality can be defined as “treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2” Hospitality is a virtue that is both commanded and commended throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, it was specifically commanded by God: “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. During His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town.
As followers of Christ, we emulate His love and compassion when we show hospitality, not only to fellow Christians, but even more so to strangers and the less fortunate. In fact, we honor God when we are kind to the needy (Proverbs 14:31; 19:17). As Jesus said, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed” (Luke 14:13). Christ also taught us the second greatest commandment, to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), and the Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that “neighbor” has nothing to do with geography, citizenship, or race. Wherever and whenever people need us, there we can be neighbors and, like Christ, show mercy. This is the essence of hospitality.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus discusses the hospitable behavior of those who will inherit the kingdom: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:34-36). In these days we often don’t think much about entertaining strangers, but hospitality is still an important part of Christian ministry (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). By serving others we serve Christ (Matthew 25:40) and we promote the spread of God’s truth (3 John 5-8). Listen to the Spirit. Look for cues. Don’t go overboard. Some people want to be left alone.
The Wright’s returned to Kitty Hawk in 1901 with the Wright Glider II. It was a similar design with twice the wing area, wings with greater curvature, and covered in muslin instead of sateen. It was not a stable as the Wright Glider I and did not provide the lift predicted by equations developed by earlier experts.
The Wrights returned to Dayton and constructed the first wind tunnel to test the lift of 200 different wing designs. They discovered the optimal wing curvature and proper lift equation values.
The Wrights returned to Kitty Hawk in in September of 1902 with the Wright Glider III with longer (32’ instead of 22’), narrower (9.5’ instead of 13’”, less curved (1/12 instead of 1/22) wings and a horizontal rudder with a total weight of 112 pounds. The Wrights made between 700 and 100 well controlled glides of up to 600 feet. They had discovered the way to control flight. They could soar, they could float. They could dive and rise. They could circle and land, all with assurance. Aviation experts say this was more important than adding power. It is pretty much how airplanes are still controlled today. It was the basis of the Wrights 1903 patent.
Lesson 9: Find The Truth For Yourself. Observation is truth for scientists. If observation does not agree with theory, observation is correct. The Bible is truth for the Christian. If expert theory does not agree with the Bible, the Bible is correct. Don’t trust the experts, be like the Berean. Acts 17:11, “they (the Bereans) received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The Bereans heard the teaching of the most famous apostle and theologian of the early church, and the human author of at least 13 New Testament books. Yet, they searched the Scriptures when Paul taught, to see if his teaching was truly Biblical. They would not accept Paul’s teaching without checking for themselves, so they could know if these things were so.
When the Bereans heard Paul teach, their settled reaction wasn’t “My, he’s a fine speaker.” It wasn’t “I don’t like the way he talks.” It wasn’t “What a funny preacher” Instead, the Bereans wanted to know, “Are these things… so? Does this man teach the truth? We must search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so.”
They also searched the Scriptures daily to find out. It wasn’t a one time, quick look. They made it a point of diligent, extended study. For them, the Bible was not just a pretty book of poetry or mystery or nice spiritual inspiration for thoughts-for-the-day. It was a book of truth, and that truth was there to find out.
But with all their diligent searching and concern for the truth, the Bereans did not become skeptics. They received the word with all readiness. When Paul preached, they had open hearts; but also clear heads. Many people have clear heads but closed hearts, and never receive the word with all readiness. It was both of these things that made the Bereans more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica.
We believe we have the truth, but let’s not be arrogant about it. There may be more truth God had not revealed yet. Be patient when telling others about the truth. People need time to process
In early 1903 the Wright’s calculated an 8 hp motor weighing less than 200 lbs would produce enough thrust to provide the necessary lift. (The engine in my riding lawn mover is 12.5 hp). They wrote engine manufacturers asking for off the counter models, but none existed, so they asked their bike shop mechanic, Charlie Taylor to construct one. The motor would have a 4 inch bore and a 4 inch stroke. The work of boring out the aluminum for the cylinders was done by one man with a drooping walrus mustach in the back of a bike shop on the same lathe and drill press used for building bikes. It was a very crude motor. It had no carburater, no spark plugs, and no radiator. The first one took six weeks to build. On its first trial it seized up and cracked. So another was built which worked fine.
The Wright’s thought it would be easy to design propellers based on boat propellers, but found there was no real science on the matter, so they tested many of their own in the wind tunnel. The actual propellers were 8 feet in diameter and hand carved with hatchet and drawknife. The linkage between the motor and the propellers was, of course, bike chain.
To carry the extra weight of the motor, the Wright Flyer I wings had more surface area 40’ x 13’. The frame was made of ash and cover with “Pride of the West” muslin cloth. It was to heavy to be hand launched like the gliders, so a 60’ launching tack was built. The flyer rolled down the track on a wagon until it reached speed sufficient to create the desired lift.
On December 14, 1903 the Wrights were ready for the first test. Wilbur won the coin toss. The Flyer left the track, but Wilbur pulled up to sharply, stalled, and came down 3.5 seconds later with minor damage. The brothers were elated. Everything had worked perfectly except for operator error, which could be fixed with practice.
The men carried the 600 pound plane to the launching track. The men became serious. Orville and Wilbur shook hands as if saying goodbye. Then Orville got in the plane. At exactly 10:35, Orville pulled the rope, and Flyer began gliding down the track. Wilbur ran along side, balancing the Flyer. At the end of the track the Flyer lifted and one of the men from the life saving station, who had never operated a camera, snapped one of the most famous pictures of the 20th century.
The flight was very erratic, up and down like a bucking bronco until one wing hit the sand. It lasted only 12 seconds and covered only 120 feet, less than the wingspan of a 747. But it was a real flight. The brothers made three more flights that day, 175 feet, 200 feet and 852 feet. All of the flights had unintended landings. The last broke the front elevator. The brothers hope to repair it, but as they were examining it, a gust of wind grabbed the 600 pound Flyer and tossed it and a 200 pound bystander (John Daniels, the first survivor of a pane accident) across the sand as if they weighed nothing at all. Daniels was unharmed, but the Flyer was broken beyond repair. It was packed up put in storage in Dayton.
Wilbur telegraphed his father of the successful flights and Wilbur’s sister gave the telegraph to the local newspaper, they printed the story, “Wright Brothers to be home for Christmas.
Lesson 10 Everyone Has A Part To Play. Could the Wrights have built the first plane Charlie Taylor? Maybe, but it would have taken longer. Can the church accomplish its mission without you. It can, but not as efficiently. In I Corinthians 12, Paul uses the brilliant illustration of the human body to relate the working of the community of Christians. Even as every cell in a human body is linked by a common root (a common DNA code), yet the parts of our body (members) look different, are treated differently, work differently, and accomplish different purposes. Even so, there is great diversity in the body of Jesus Christ, both in appearance and function, yet each member has a common root and a common goal.
Some parts of the body (and the church) may seem more important than other parts, but if one part is missing, the whole body suffers. The body does not argue with itself, neither should the church. Since everyone’s gifts are important, we should care for each other so that gifts are not lost. When one member suffers, we all suffer. When one member is honored, we are all honored.
Lesson 11 Are You Listening? Are you like the men at the life saving station who missed the worlds first flight or the Dayton newspaper that missed the biggest story of the decade? Or Bill Tate who was away on business. John 10:27 says, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” God had to speak to a 7 year old Samuel because Eli was not listening. God spoke to Elijah is a still small voice. IF you heard a bunch of shepherds running through the city at midnight shouting, “The messiah is born!” would you get up and follow them. Are you listening for that voice today.? Are you willing to follow it?
“God engineers circumstances to see what we will do. Will we be the children of our Father in heaven, or will we go back again to the meaner, common-sense attitude? Will we stake all and stand true to Him? “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” The crown of life means I shall see that my Lord has got the victory after all, even in me.” Oswald Chambers, The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 530
Lesson 12: We are Being Transformed. 66 years after that first flight the Apollo 11 mission flew to the moon, landed, and returned to Earth. What a transformation had occurred in those 66 years! Yet that transformation pales in comparison to the transformation each of us is undergoing. “But we all...are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:18” From a helpless pawn, unable to resist Satan’s temptations, we are slowly being sanctified to become like Jesus. “Such transformation….ever the result of communion with Christ. There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him whom he adores.” (AA55)
Lesson 13: Each astronot on Apollo 11 was given a PPK, personal preference kit, a small bag they could put personal items in. In Neil Armstrong’s PPK was a 66 year old piece of ash wood measuring ½ “ x 1 ¼" x 1/8 “ and a 66 year old piece of muslin cloth, measuring 3 ½ “ by 4”. The deacons are now distributing similar pieces of muslin cloth. The items in Neil Armstrong’s PPK were taken from the left propeller and top left wing of the wrecked Wright Flyer I. Some of the muslin cloth from the same bolt probably ended up as a ladies dresses or bed sheets. They were worn and worn out and ended up decaying in a landfill, lost to history. The cloth in the PPK ended on the world’s first airplane and went to the moon and back and is still preserved 116 years later. Chose Jesus. “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15” The cloth had no choice, but you do. If you chose Jesus, you can take a round trip farther than the moon. You can go to heaven for 1000 years and return to Earth made new and live forever. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” I hope you will keep this muslin cloth and that it will remind you to chose Jesus.
Scripture: John 14:6
Closing Hymn: 421 For all the Saints
Last Given: October 5, 2019 in Tomahawk, November 2019 in Wausau
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