The only “Western” I was allowed as a little kid was “The Lone Ranger.” I sent in three Meritta bread wrappers and received a membership card, code ring, and a “Silver Bullet” (the only kind he ever used—and came from his secret silver mine) it was a pencil sharpener. Unfortunately, I don’t still have that “silver bullet.” Although my mother didn’t object to The Lone Ranger, she apparently cleared it out with my other “clutter” when I left for college.
Every episode of The Lone Ranger ended in victory; he rode off on his white horse, shouting “Hi Yo Silver! Away!!” and someone in the crowd asking, “Who was that masked man?” His first appearance was in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), way before I was born, but became an enduring icon of American culture.
Some time ago I found a DVD with several episodes on it. (No one will watch them with me–because they are “tooooo boring.”) But I get a kick out of those old episodes; by modern media standards they are absurd. I admit there is a bit of nostalgia in watching an episode, but seeing a lead man doing the right thing never gets old—for me, as well as for most people. I am convinced that most people want to be good honest people.
Of course! There is a lot of evil in the world. Just watch or read any news these days; try to find “good news”— there may be a tiny afterthought at the end of a very long bad-news program. The news caters to bad news. The trite phrase “If it bleeds it leads“, is sometimes attributed to Adolph Simon Ochs, once publisher of the New York Times. While he did cut a significant swath in journalism, —I cannot verify that attribution. But it does not take Arthur Conan Doyle to figure out it stands as the Holy Grail of modern news media.
Charles Wesley, the less-famous brother of John Wesley, in his hymn, “Love Divine,” pleaded, “…take away our bent to sinning…” it recognizes we are flawed human beings. (isn’t that why we have cash registers, keys, and contracts?) I guess I simply liked the “good” in the Lone Ranger. I also liked his real name, Clayton Moore.
The Lone Ranger was never depicted smoking, drinking, cussing, or using poor grammar. Saloon scenes were in cafes. He wore a gun, but never shot anyone. Although Tonto, his sidekick, was a Native American, The Lone Ranger never debased Tonto and no scenes ever disparaged people who are “different.” The Lone Ranger was a Methodist Sunday School teacher. (NOT. I’m just kidding about the Sunday School—kinda got ya going though, didn’t it! 😉 ?)
For me it is refreshing to hear good news; good news about good relationships. I think of the Apostle Paul’s relationship with Philemon. They treated each other with great warmth, respect, and trust. I also relish the deep relationship Jesus had with Lazarus. Their relationship was palpable. As profound as Jesus’ miracles were, it is significant that the glimpse of Jesus at Lazarus’ grave, his humanness stands out–-it is a verse of its own and captures the humanness of Jesus.
Except for a few strange movie genres, notice how important it is that “good” triumphs over “bad” — “the good guys win!” Yes, I know. The Lone Ranger is antiquated. Just let me marinate in his memory. Let us not reject the tenet that “Good” will triumph over “Evil.” We will hold that spirit, waking up each morning in the spirit of “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Hi Yo Silver! Away!!