The “Code of the West”

Zechariah 7:9-10 

“Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’ (NKJV)

 

The “Code of the West” was unwritten laws by which every cowboy and frontiersman lived. According to this code, there were just certain things you would not do; such as, spit in the presence of a lady or try on another man’s hat. There were also matters of honor that when practiced revealed the depth of his character and integrity:

In action and in word, he lived by the Golden Rule, even though he may not have ever read the Bible. Thankfully, the Bible influenced the contents of the code. 

 

Of all the books that traveled west with the pioneers, the two most important were the Bible and a hymnal. The Bible is replete with words that are the basis for the Code of the West, a gentleman’s code, or other such codes, creeds, and commandments. These words from Zechariah 7 could easily be included in the lists of guidelines and are requisites for any intentional Christian living.

 

Bandanas are extraordinarily practical. Cowboys use them as dust masks, potholders, first aid wraps, and numerous other things. Try tucking a bandana under the back of your cap, letting it cover your ears and neck. It will serve as a sunshade and the constant movement of the material will shoo away biting bugs.