It would seem to have been especially ordered by Providence, that the discovery of the two great divisions of the American hemisphere should fall to the two races best fitted to conquer and colonize them. Thus the northern section was consigned to the Anglo-Saxon race, whose orderly, industrious habits found an ample field for development under its colder skies and on its more rugged soil; while the southern portion, with its rich tropical products and treasures of mineral wealth, held out the most attractive bait to invite the enterprise of the Spaniard. How different might have been the result, if the bark of Columbus had taken a more northerly direction, as he at one time meditated, and landed its band of adventurers on the shores of what is now Free America! — PRESCOTT.
An Indestructible Union of Indestructible States
It may be not unreasonably said that the preservation of the States and the maintenance of their governments are as much within the design and care of the Constitution as the preservation of the Union or the maintenance of the National Government. The Constitution, in all its provisions, looks to an indestructible Union of indestructible States. — CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.
Another Name
America is only another name for opportunity. — EMERSON.
Showing posts with label providence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label providence. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saved By A Kind Providence
1900
A good story which has been translated from the German language, tells how Frank, a boy from the city, had been picking raspberries in the woods. As he was on his way home a violent storm arose. It began raining and lightning, and to thunder fearfully. Frank was very much frightened, and crept into a hole in an old oak tree not far from the roadside. He did not know that lightning is very apt to strike a hollow tree. But all at once he heard a voice that called, "Frank! Frank! come quickly."
Frank jumped instantly from the tree, but he had gone scarcely a hundred feet when the lightning struck the tree. The ground quaked beneath the terrified boy, and it seemed as if he was standing in the midst of fire. But he was not hurt at all, and exclaimed, with raised hand: "That voice came from heaven! Thou, O dear Lord, hast saved me!"
But once more the voice was heard, "Frank! Frank! do you not hear?"
He looked around, and saw a peasant woman who was calling. Frank ran to her and said: "Here I am. What do you want of me?"
"I did not mean you, but my own little Frank," the woman replied. "He was watching the geese by the brook. See! there he comes at last out from the bushes."
Frank, the boy from the city, related how he had taken her voice as a voice from heaven. Then the peasant folded her arms devoutly, and said: "Oh, my child, do not thank God any the less that the voice came from the mouth of a poor peasant woman. It was He who willed that I should call your name, although I knew nothing about you."
"Yes, yes," said Frank; "God served Himself by your voice, but my escape came from heaven."
Always remember that safety depends not on accident or chance, but on your heavenly Father.
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 16.
A good story which has been translated from the German language, tells how Frank, a boy from the city, had been picking raspberries in the woods. As he was on his way home a violent storm arose. It began raining and lightning, and to thunder fearfully. Frank was very much frightened, and crept into a hole in an old oak tree not far from the roadside. He did not know that lightning is very apt to strike a hollow tree. But all at once he heard a voice that called, "Frank! Frank! come quickly."
Frank jumped instantly from the tree, but he had gone scarcely a hundred feet when the lightning struck the tree. The ground quaked beneath the terrified boy, and it seemed as if he was standing in the midst of fire. But he was not hurt at all, and exclaimed, with raised hand: "That voice came from heaven! Thou, O dear Lord, hast saved me!"
But once more the voice was heard, "Frank! Frank! do you not hear?"
He looked around, and saw a peasant woman who was calling. Frank ran to her and said: "Here I am. What do you want of me?"
"I did not mean you, but my own little Frank," the woman replied. "He was watching the geese by the brook. See! there he comes at last out from the bushes."
Frank, the boy from the city, related how he had taken her voice as a voice from heaven. Then the peasant folded her arms devoutly, and said: "Oh, my child, do not thank God any the less that the voice came from the mouth of a poor peasant woman. It was He who willed that I should call your name, although I knew nothing about you."
"Yes, yes," said Frank; "God served Himself by your voice, but my escape came from heaven."
Always remember that safety depends not on accident or chance, but on your heavenly Father.
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 16.
Friday, June 22, 2007
"The Ossified Man" — Grave Robbed, Body Missing
1896
After His Affliction Prostrated Him He Became a Methodist Preacher of Wonderful Power
The item appearing in the daily papers narrating how the grave of Edgar Pratt, well known as the "Ossified Man," had been robbed recently caused considerable excitement in the vicinity of Sodus, N.Y., where Edgar Pratt was born, educated, learned his trade, transacted business, and where his widow and her mother at present reside.
Edgar Pratt, says a Soclus letter to the New York Times, was a son of William Pratt, a well-known farmer, who for many years resided on a farm which he owned on the town line road between Williamson and Ontario, south of the "Ridge Road," so called. The family is one of the oldest in Wayne County.
The "Ossified Man" was born in the town of Williamson, was educated at the public schools in that village, and completed his education in Sodus Academy. He was a well-formed young man, bright, and fine looking. He came to Sodus about 1878 and went to work for Charles Delano, learning the trade of carriage trimming. He was not religiously inclined, in which respect be differed very materially from his parents and other members of the Pratt family. While the young man was working at his trade his father sold the farm, and with the family removed to Douglass, Butler County, Kan., the son Edgar accompanying.
The latter secured a position as stage driver. Through exposure on the stage route he contracted rheumatism, which eventually compelled his abandoning that vocation. His condition became critical. He recovered from his illness, and shortly afterward removed to Sodus, where he opened up a carriage trimming establishment. Rheumatism returned, and he was soon prostrated with his old ailment. Medical science was invoked, but nothing could be done. At length, being in destitute circumstances, his brother, Daniel Pratt, came from Kansas and took Edgar out West with him.
Shortly after this, ossification began to set in and the patient suffered untold agony. An exhorter came to Douglass, which was then comparatively destitute of religious influences, and Pratt became converted. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and soon became one of the warmest supporters of that denomination. Ossification by that time had become so advanced that the man was taken before a board medical experts in New York City. The case had baffled the skill of all Western physicians who had been consulted. The New York surgeons pronounced the case a most marvelous one in the annals of medical jurisprudence.
An offer of $1000 per year during life and $5000 to the widow at his death, provided Pratt would contract to have his body delivered to the New York medical experts at his death, was spurned, Pratt alleging that his condition was due to an act of Providence. He claimed that he was suffering a just punishment for not improving his talents while young and before being afflicted with disease. His exhortations became so pronounced that his religious admirers built a wagon, in which he lay stretched out rigid as a block of marble.
During the last four years of his life he suffered no pain whatever, but was unable to move a joint. Starvation at one time threatened him, and four of his front teeth were removed, and through the aperture thin liquid food was injected, and thus was life sustained. In his carriage he was taken to camp meetings, where he was the centre of attraction on account of his condition and the earnestness with which he exhorted. It is said that through his instrumentality thousands were converted.
Offers from museums were refused, Pratt insisting that his mission was to convert as many to religion as possible during his remaining days. His faithful wife remained with him until his death, which occurred less than a year ago. Museum managers and physicians, even after Pratt's death, continued to deluge the widow and parents of the ossified man with letters and telegrams offering large amounts for the remains. This so alarmed the father that he declined to allow his son to be buried in the Douglass cemetery, but instead had the body interred in a flower bed in the dooryard beneath the father's window, where he could keep an ever-watchful eye upon it. It happened recently, however, that the father was drawn as a juror at El Dorado, the county seat, and during his absence the ghouls succeeded in robbing the grave.
Viewed from a scientific standpoint the case of Edgar Pratt was one of the most puzzling ever brought before the attention of medical experts. Pratt is believed to have been the only completely ossified man on record.
After His Affliction Prostrated Him He Became a Methodist Preacher of Wonderful Power
The item appearing in the daily papers narrating how the grave of Edgar Pratt, well known as the "Ossified Man," had been robbed recently caused considerable excitement in the vicinity of Sodus, N.Y., where Edgar Pratt was born, educated, learned his trade, transacted business, and where his widow and her mother at present reside.
Edgar Pratt, says a Soclus letter to the New York Times, was a son of William Pratt, a well-known farmer, who for many years resided on a farm which he owned on the town line road between Williamson and Ontario, south of the "Ridge Road," so called. The family is one of the oldest in Wayne County.
The "Ossified Man" was born in the town of Williamson, was educated at the public schools in that village, and completed his education in Sodus Academy. He was a well-formed young man, bright, and fine looking. He came to Sodus about 1878 and went to work for Charles Delano, learning the trade of carriage trimming. He was not religiously inclined, in which respect be differed very materially from his parents and other members of the Pratt family. While the young man was working at his trade his father sold the farm, and with the family removed to Douglass, Butler County, Kan., the son Edgar accompanying.
The latter secured a position as stage driver. Through exposure on the stage route he contracted rheumatism, which eventually compelled his abandoning that vocation. His condition became critical. He recovered from his illness, and shortly afterward removed to Sodus, where he opened up a carriage trimming establishment. Rheumatism returned, and he was soon prostrated with his old ailment. Medical science was invoked, but nothing could be done. At length, being in destitute circumstances, his brother, Daniel Pratt, came from Kansas and took Edgar out West with him.
Shortly after this, ossification began to set in and the patient suffered untold agony. An exhorter came to Douglass, which was then comparatively destitute of religious influences, and Pratt became converted. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and soon became one of the warmest supporters of that denomination. Ossification by that time had become so advanced that the man was taken before a board medical experts in New York City. The case had baffled the skill of all Western physicians who had been consulted. The New York surgeons pronounced the case a most marvelous one in the annals of medical jurisprudence.
An offer of $1000 per year during life and $5000 to the widow at his death, provided Pratt would contract to have his body delivered to the New York medical experts at his death, was spurned, Pratt alleging that his condition was due to an act of Providence. He claimed that he was suffering a just punishment for not improving his talents while young and before being afflicted with disease. His exhortations became so pronounced that his religious admirers built a wagon, in which he lay stretched out rigid as a block of marble.
During the last four years of his life he suffered no pain whatever, but was unable to move a joint. Starvation at one time threatened him, and four of his front teeth were removed, and through the aperture thin liquid food was injected, and thus was life sustained. In his carriage he was taken to camp meetings, where he was the centre of attraction on account of his condition and the earnestness with which he exhorted. It is said that through his instrumentality thousands were converted.
Offers from museums were refused, Pratt insisting that his mission was to convert as many to religion as possible during his remaining days. His faithful wife remained with him until his death, which occurred less than a year ago. Museum managers and physicians, even after Pratt's death, continued to deluge the widow and parents of the ossified man with letters and telegrams offering large amounts for the remains. This so alarmed the father that he declined to allow his son to be buried in the Douglass cemetery, but instead had the body interred in a flower bed in the dooryard beneath the father's window, where he could keep an ever-watchful eye upon it. It happened recently, however, that the father was drawn as a juror at El Dorado, the county seat, and during his absence the ghouls succeeded in robbing the grave.
Viewed from a scientific standpoint the case of Edgar Pratt was one of the most puzzling ever brought before the attention of medical experts. Pratt is believed to have been the only completely ossified man on record.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
About the So-Called North Pole!
1901
BY REV. BILLIMAN BLAGDEN.
Dear Sir: — An interesting Editorial in a recent paper, upon the subject of "The North Pole," suggests that the Scriptural dictum, upon the same subject may possibly be new and entertaining to yourself, and also to many of your readers.
It is as true as it is remarkable, that we can find something, at least, in The Holy Bible, about almost any important subject, that will give us "pointers," so to speak, respecting information, which we may be desirous of obtaining, concerning the topic under consideration.
And the subject of the North Pole, is a good illustration of the above statement, for in the Infallible, Inspired and Divine Word of God, "It is written" in Job 26. 7., "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing."
Hence we see and learn, that Almighty god informs us, that "The North," or the so called "North Pole," is "the empty place." So that to search for the North Pole, is useless, vain and fool-hardy, and all else to the contrary notwithstanding, because God's Holy Word, describes it to be, "the empty place!"
We have no knowledge, information, nor even report, that even the Wild Geese, ever seek this far North, which our God tells us in Holy Writ, is "the empty place!" And yet some men with brains, and originally created in the image of God, still show that they have less "instinct" than the poor Wild Geese; because some men will persist in going on a "fool's errand," in search of the so called North Pole! Too many precious lives, and too much good gold, have already been expended and wasted, in this senseless and fruitless hunt and chase, after a "Will o' the Wisp," and "ignis fatuus," namely, this self-same search for the North Pole!
Why sir, it is akin to the Nursery fable of telling little children to run after the end of the Rain Bow, for behold there, they will surely find a bag of gold! But, if in the Light of God's Word, wherein The Holy Ghost pictures the North and enlightens us, that the North Pole is the empty place" men will persist in getting up expeditions for the North Pole; well then, let it be done at the very least and minimum cost and risk of precious lives, and at the least criminal expenditure and waste of money! And to this end, only very wealthy men or Syndicates of millionaires, should ever think of undertaking the perilous and Quicksotte-ish task of searching out "the empty place;" who, in order to have any chance of obtaining any reasonable success, and above all, avoid and escape the wicked sacrifice, of many men by untimely death, can with their great wealth establish relay stations, as they advance into the Arctic regions, comparatively near each other, and fully and invariably provisioned with all necessary supplies, both of food and of men, for their sustenance and help in time of need. And these relay stations should be made, kept up, and abundantly sustained, just so long as they continue to advance North, and while any one remains in the neighborhood of "the empty place!"
To undertake to search out, or to advance toward "the empty place," in any other way than that, which will lessen to the minimum, the risk of sacrificing precious lives, to say nothing of the sinful extravagance of throwing away money, is to tempt Providence! And no wise Christian will dare to do that?
"Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord," Jer. 8, 7.
Now in order to marshall you, dear readers, to look this thing squarely in the face; and that you may be brought to hear, and love and obey God's Blessed Word, and for the good of your own and precious and immortal souls, we consequently throw down this gauntlet, namely, The Holy Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is "The Word of God," (see Rev. 19, 13); and in one sense, JESUS, because He is the Incarnate Word; and this Word of God is Infallible, Inspired, Divine and Supernatural; therefore we are to believe in, and obey It, as obedient and good children; for our Lord told the Great Apostles, that unless they were converted and became as little children, they could not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matt. 18, 3. And this self same Word of God, is interpreted by the Divine Institution, of all orthodox baptized Believers, who believe in, love, and obey JESUS, as GOD; Amen.
Therefore and consequently we must believe in, love and obey Jehovah's Holy Word, wherein "It is written," "He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing," Job 26, 7.
The North Pole, is "the empty place."
And may the Lord Jesus, bless all the above, to all that shall ever see, read, or hear it, as to Him seemeth best, for His Great and Dear Name's Sake; Amen.
CHATEAU FRONTENAC, QUEBEC. 18 OCT. 1901.
—The News, Frederick, Maryland, January 11, 1902, page 4.
BY REV. BILLIMAN BLAGDEN.
Dear Sir: — An interesting Editorial in a recent paper, upon the subject of "The North Pole," suggests that the Scriptural dictum, upon the same subject may possibly be new and entertaining to yourself, and also to many of your readers.
It is as true as it is remarkable, that we can find something, at least, in The Holy Bible, about almost any important subject, that will give us "pointers," so to speak, respecting information, which we may be desirous of obtaining, concerning the topic under consideration.
And the subject of the North Pole, is a good illustration of the above statement, for in the Infallible, Inspired and Divine Word of God, "It is written" in Job 26. 7., "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing."
Hence we see and learn, that Almighty god informs us, that "The North," or the so called "North Pole," is "the empty place." So that to search for the North Pole, is useless, vain and fool-hardy, and all else to the contrary notwithstanding, because God's Holy Word, describes it to be, "the empty place!"
We have no knowledge, information, nor even report, that even the Wild Geese, ever seek this far North, which our God tells us in Holy Writ, is "the empty place!" And yet some men with brains, and originally created in the image of God, still show that they have less "instinct" than the poor Wild Geese; because some men will persist in going on a "fool's errand," in search of the so called North Pole! Too many precious lives, and too much good gold, have already been expended and wasted, in this senseless and fruitless hunt and chase, after a "Will o' the Wisp," and "ignis fatuus," namely, this self-same search for the North Pole!
Why sir, it is akin to the Nursery fable of telling little children to run after the end of the Rain Bow, for behold there, they will surely find a bag of gold! But, if in the Light of God's Word, wherein The Holy Ghost pictures the North and enlightens us, that the North Pole is the empty place" men will persist in getting up expeditions for the North Pole; well then, let it be done at the very least and minimum cost and risk of precious lives, and at the least criminal expenditure and waste of money! And to this end, only very wealthy men or Syndicates of millionaires, should ever think of undertaking the perilous and Quicksotte-ish task of searching out "the empty place;" who, in order to have any chance of obtaining any reasonable success, and above all, avoid and escape the wicked sacrifice, of many men by untimely death, can with their great wealth establish relay stations, as they advance into the Arctic regions, comparatively near each other, and fully and invariably provisioned with all necessary supplies, both of food and of men, for their sustenance and help in time of need. And these relay stations should be made, kept up, and abundantly sustained, just so long as they continue to advance North, and while any one remains in the neighborhood of "the empty place!"
To undertake to search out, or to advance toward "the empty place," in any other way than that, which will lessen to the minimum, the risk of sacrificing precious lives, to say nothing of the sinful extravagance of throwing away money, is to tempt Providence! And no wise Christian will dare to do that?
"Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord," Jer. 8, 7.
Now in order to marshall you, dear readers, to look this thing squarely in the face; and that you may be brought to hear, and love and obey God's Blessed Word, and for the good of your own and precious and immortal souls, we consequently throw down this gauntlet, namely, The Holy Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is "The Word of God," (see Rev. 19, 13); and in one sense, JESUS, because He is the Incarnate Word; and this Word of God is Infallible, Inspired, Divine and Supernatural; therefore we are to believe in, and obey It, as obedient and good children; for our Lord told the Great Apostles, that unless they were converted and became as little children, they could not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Matt. 18, 3. And this self same Word of God, is interpreted by the Divine Institution, of all orthodox baptized Believers, who believe in, love, and obey JESUS, as GOD; Amen.
Therefore and consequently we must believe in, love and obey Jehovah's Holy Word, wherein "It is written," "He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing," Job 26, 7.
The North Pole, is "the empty place."
And may the Lord Jesus, bless all the above, to all that shall ever see, read, or hear it, as to Him seemeth best, for His Great and Dear Name's Sake; Amen.
CHATEAU FRONTENAC, QUEBEC. 18 OCT. 1901.
—The News, Frederick, Maryland, January 11, 1902, page 4.
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