To set the record straight, there really was once a man named Johnny Appleseed. According to Britannica, his real name was John Chapman, (born September 26, 1774, Leominster, Massachusetts—died March 18?, 1845). Legend, myth, and fascination wrought tales, folk songs, melodies, even “The Johnny Appleseed Blessing;” often used for grace at summer camp meals. Some legends portray him as a roving jolly man, planting apple trees as he roamed the American frontier. Turns out that he did not plant so many appleseeds, as much as establishing apple nurseries, teaching horticulture in his unique way.
Johnny Appleseed provided apple-tree nursery stock to the pioneers. Apparently the series of apple trees he planted, and apple-tree nurseries he established across the midwest, begot the moniker, “Johnny Appleseed”. According to at least one report, he often wore a mushpan, inverted on his head. Johnny Appleseed spent time with Native Americans, learning from them, as well as teaching and helping. Nevertheless, he was a genuine dedicated, albeit eccentric, nurseryman. Not so much the happy wanderer, for he did own 1,200 acres of land—a lot in those days; he died from exposure.
Legend has it that he had a gentleness with animals, was devoted to the Bible, and knew a lot about medicinal herbs. As I read about him, I thought of a story Jesus told about “…a man who went out to sow…” It was a practice his listeners were acquainted with; there are difficulties and opportunities in any planting endeavor. The point Jesus was making also implies persistence, vision, and caring. In the manner of Johnny Appleseed, we all are called to care for the planet, and the people herein.
The early chapters of the Book of Genesis present stories of the creation of the earth and the Universe thereof; it also assigns its cultivation and care to us humans. The stories are beautiful, and exciting. They are also realistic in presenting the truth of toil and tension. A lot more responsibility for care and keeping lies on us than we humans tend to employ. We are not puppets, and we own the benefits and blights of our behavior.
“Giving Back” is a term we hear a lot. It is a responsible kind of statement. When I think of Johnny Appleseed I think that many generations before us sacrificed so much by giving back to their present and future generations. It is an authentication of another teaching of Jesus; he said give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
To a great measure, Johnny Appleseed practied what he found in his Bible;” Send your bread out on the water because, in the course of time, you may find it again. (Ecclesiastes 11:1 CEB). A current practice that proves the point is often found in the drive-thru at Starbucks, or Burger King; a driver pulls up to pick up the order and the cashier says, “Your order was paid by the person just ahead of you;” it is called “Paying it Forward.” Johnny Appleseed paid it forward; for generations to come.
©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022