What's your name?

There's a million things I haven't done.
But just you wait, just you wait
What's your name, man?
Hugh Knox.

(What?)

Like many of you, or maybe even all of you, our family watched Hamilton this weekend. Countless replays of the soundtrack and even seeing it live did not dampen the enthusiasm for the tv premier of this now-iconic production. I enjoyed hearing the story again so much that I jettisoned several good books I’m reading to finally tackle the Ron Chernow biography of Hamilton that so inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda. Chernow is generous with both the subject and the reader in sharing Alexander’s life, avoiding the understandable but often treacherous temptation to hold a historical context entirely accountable to the present. Reading the biography, I was surprised and pleased to learn about the role Hugh Knox, a Presbyterian pastor, played in young Hamilton’s life. It was Rev. Knox (can he sound more Presbyterian?) who ensured Hamilton was published--an event that led to his exodus from poverty to a new life in the United States. Chernow tells us that Knox was liberal, meaning in those days that he did not favor the monarchy but American independence, and unlike the theological trends of that day, he favored freewill over the problematic notion of predestination/double predestination and eschewed the notion that illegitimate children could not be baptized. He was eloquent and passionate. What a spiritual father this pastor was for a young, fatherless Hamilton! Hamilton was a unique and talented man to say the least, but none of us are our own creation. In some way, maybe in very important ways, this joyful, kind pastor, helped direct and shape Hamilton. Yet Lin-Manuel Miranda didn’t even mention him! I know--he had to condense and edit mercilessly for how to contain any life, let alone Hamilton’s, in the time allotted for a broadway musical? Eight songs never made it to the final production. He was already setting Broadway records by averaging 144 words per minute. If not for that tempo, the show would be 5 hours long. Many important facts were omitted from Hamilton’s life including mention of his brother and other children. Maybe I’m sensitive? Being a Presbyterian pastor myself, I have a vested interest in seeing another cleric get his due. Thankfully, researchers are quick to note Hugh Knox. He’s hardly lost to history even if he missed out on the Hamilton musical bonanza. I’m wondering today, though, who’s not getting their due in the story of your life? No one can be more responsible than you for your success or your sins, but you are yet shaped and, in some way saved, by people who have loved you. In unexpected ways and perhaps even in undeserving measure, you have been given grace and guidance, attention and adoration. What’s their name? You haven’t thought of them in years. In the musical score of your precious life, their song got cut and their name dropped; but, dang, you wouldn’t be quite you without them. 

It’s time to remember, to give thanks, and, if the situation allows and time affords, perhaps an overdue call. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhinPd5RRJw