Moral Character Is Cultured in Community

Growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s meant that I benefited from a community of tightly woven and caring relationships within stable families, churches, public school, law enforcement, volunteer fire department.  Here, I also enjoyed the blessing of community events like parades, festivals, and fundraising dinners.  Rural, farm communities like ours in east central Ohio were formed by hard-working, responsible people who took responsibility for their decisions but also were quick to come to the aid of neighbors who faced misfortune. 

A community, whether rural, suburban, or urban, a is a social unit composed of people sharing a geographic location, moral values, customs, identity, and vision.  It is within a community that our families, churches, and schools teach us as individuals to know God, to love Him, to respect laws and law enforcers, and to love our neighbor.  To respect these privileges and responsibilities is literally to acknowledge and cherish what has produced and sustained American culture and much of Western civilization. 

However, within the past century, greater mobility coupled with more educational and employment opportunities have encouraged sons and daughters to leave their communities and make their homes elsewhere.  Consequently, many communities lack the cohesiveness fostered by stable, long-term relationships.  The resultant instability of communities has been highlighted by the recent violent protests in major cities.  Since May, organized groups of anarchistic terrorists have invaded already unstable urban and suburban communities to stir up vulnerable residents, incite rebellion against civil authorities, destroy property, and assault and murder innocent people.

During these troubled times, we can pray that American voters will soon elect leaders who value long-held moral and ethical standards, and that perpetrators of violence and destruction will be bought to justice.  Regardless, quality of life in America will depend not on government alone but upon responsible individuals and stable communities that nurture responsible residents.  This is why it was refreshing for me to read an article by Rhonda Edgerton, published in the Wooster Weekly News/The Bargain Hunter-Wayne (08-05-20), featuring the life of an exemplary community leader like Jay Lehman.

In 1955, Jay Lehman founded Lehman’s, a hardware store in Kidron, Ohio with the mission of serving the local Amish community with non-electric, simple, household goods.  Since then, Lehman's has grown into a multi-million- dollar international business.  The store now serves customers around the world by offering an extensive catalog and shipping.  Still each year, multitudes of international customers visit to see for themselves the extensive inventory of unique resources for missionaries, homesteaders, environmentalists, survivalists, and doctors serving in developing countries. 

The current 35,000-square-foot facility offers a visual reminder of its humble history and its owner’s appreciation of history and culture.  The store is composed of remnants of a log cabin and four pre-Civil War buildings.  The visual layout, inventory, and friendly help provided at Lehman’s is a reflection of Jay’s Christian faith, his work ethic, his genuine love for his customers, and his love for a simple way of life.

Jay Lehman died on July 26 at the age of 91, representing 65 years of humble service as owner of Lehman’s.  But his legacy lives on through the contributions he made toward his community. During his lifetime, he touched thousands of people with his humble, kind assistance.  Similarly, he enriched the soil, water, and wildlife populations through conservation practices including the planting of over 50,000 trees!  

Alexis de Tocqueville, the French diplomat, political scientist, and historian who is known for his remarkable appreciation of America in the 19th century is quoted as saying: The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.    Certainly, the life and contributions of Jay Lehman will continue to have a lasting impact on his local community, his country, and the international community including the over 70 countries to which he travelled.  

We extend our sympathy to the Lehman family, and rejoice with them at the legacy of faith and practice Jay Lehman has left to them and his community.  And, we thank God for the community that nurtured him and so many people of character like him.

More about Jay Lehman and Lehman’s

Article by Rhonda Edgerton.  Jay Lehman Dies at 91, Leaves Legacy of Simple Living and Christian Life.  The Bargain Hunter, August 5, 2020

Preview Online the Experience of Visiting Lehman's Store