USA > Ohio > The Western Reserve of Ohio and some of its pioneers, places and women's clubs, Vol. I > Part 21
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Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one jot or tittle of my word shall pass away. Some, no doubt, said: "Hear the conceit of that Jewish peasant." All the religions of those times were thundering against him.
He let light in, however, and has his word passed away? It has been translated into 350 languages, the Bible is just com- ing in. Two hundred million are printed every year and there are but fourteen hundred million people on the face of the earth today. Is the word going out of date? Every hour fifteen hun- dred Bibles are made by two publishers. The lightning comes out of heaven. It was about like this, for it was revised and got there before it could be carried, so let us remember he said heaven and earth shall pass away but his word shall not pass away.
Third Day-How to Study It
Give one year to Genesis. It is the seed plant, it has eight great beginnings. You will then understand Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers; the whole book is written by prophets.
Study the fulfilled promises. Augustus said proclaim a tax so that Christ should be born in Bethlehem. But it was not col- lected in nine years.
One had to write: "That there should be a fountain opened
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for sin and uncleanness and the hand had to be pierced to ful- fill it."
Once we thought the American desert good for nothing, but the pickaxe uncovered the Comstock mine, and 100 million had been taken from the product, so we find there is value there. So it is of the Bible, if it were studied properly.
Take the fulfilled, then the unfulfilled prophecies, as a light in a dark place.
Of five places it has been literally fulfilled. Jerusalem, Nine- veh, Babylon, Egypt, Tyre-"they shall be as Sodom and Go- morrah, neither shall an Arab pitch his tent there." They are as afraid of Babylon today as a child of a graveyard. The wild beasts shall dwell there. No doubt they laughed at that pro- phecy.
One hundred times the word of the Lord spake unto Jere- miah. Because of the wrath of God, Babylon became desolate. He said of Nineveh I will make thee a gazing stock. How could he cast filth on it and then make it a gazing stock? But it is, unearthed, and parts are in the British museum and other muse- ums of Europe today.
Ezekiel speaks of Tyre, twentieth chapter, sixth verse. It shall be a place for spreading of nets in the sea. A gentleman of your city said: "He saw fishermen spread nets on that rock."
One hundred prophecies have been fulfilled already. Now follow the history of Egypt. Ezekiel 29:15. "It should be the basest of the kingdoms," so it is today, because it has been prophesied.
In that way you study. Joshua meditated on the law, day and night. Study it and may God give us a love for it. Then we shall see signs and wonders.
English will be the language, for France rejected the Bible. France went down because of it.
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The interest increased as he enters on his ninth week. More Testaments have been sold than ever before. People are study- ing their Bibles to see if what he states is true. Friday, Feb- ruary 27, he spoke on the atonement.
Atonement
There is no portion of God's word that does not teach the atonements. In Genesis we find before they left Eden blood was shed; the heel of the woman could not bruise the serpent's head without the shedding of blood. Skins for clothing caused the shedding of innocent blood.
Abel and Cain had the same parents and same surroundings. There was no difference until at the altar. No doubt Cain said: 'Why should God demand blood? He loves everything that is beautiful."
There have been Cainists and Ableists ever since who op- posed it and don't believe it.
Clean animals were taken into the ark and went all that way that they might be sacrificed to God. They are putting blood between him and his sins.
One of the grandest characters who led Israel out of Egypt, and against all the gods of Egypt, said: "When I see the blood, I will pass over you, he shall keep it, for a feast, as a remem- brance forever." To kill the lamb, he does not say, "When I see a live lamb, then I will pass over it," put the blood on houses; and living men behind that blood are as safe as God himself. Not their good works or their beautiful religion. If you are safe behind the blood it is not anything in you, but the blood.
The Ark saved the little fly, as well as the elephant. It was the Ark that saved, was it not? You cannot make a law without a penalty. Suppose the Legislature did not have a penalty. I could not do anything with the man if he should steal my watch;
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it is an absurdity to make a law without a penalty. God said: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." There are some in Boston who don't believe it.
Turn to seventeenth chapter of Leviticus: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood." "The blood of it is for the life thereof, whoso eateth of it shall be cut off." Life he demands for life; life has been forfeited. I have to either pay the penalty or life is demanded. I have never seen a man that God ever used, who did not believe in the atonement; his church is as cold as a sep- ulchre. Men are covering up the cross better than the devil can do it himself. The moment he covers up the atonement there is no conversion. Read Mark, 9th chapter, 31st verse and 10th chapter, 34. "They shall kill him and after the third day he shall rise again." Jesus Christ never died as a martyr, or gave up his principles, for Christ said: "I lay my life down, and I have power to take it up again."
Could he not have sent them away with a wave of his hand? One angel once killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand men, and five or six could slay all on the face of the earth.
They had sixteen men around the sepulchre, watching the body. What did they let Him get away for? He says: "For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for you; it is shed for many for the remission of sins." Luke 22:20, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" He explained these things concerning himself he did teach it.
Go through Acts. Peter said he is Lord and Christ. Paul preached this same doctrine. We do not worship a dead Jew. The crowning act of death and hell was to drive the spear into his side and the blood came out and covered the spear.
"I believe he shed his blood for me." I don't know any other gospel. The people come because it finds a response in
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every man. Blood came out of the five wounds and he is saved by it. The year of Jubilee is coming. Jesus Christ has shed his blood. The vilest sinner can come that way. There is nothing better in the old book. If a man can read, he can interpret the Bible. Bibles do not need a preacher. A lazy question book is one with question and answer. I went to Mt. Vernon St. church when seventeen years old, just from the country. And I could not find the epistles of St. John in the Bible class. College boys punched each other and said: "See him." Great beads stood on my brow I was so mortified, and I resolved I would know the Bible.
Revivals
There is not a denomination that did not spring from a re- vival. The Episcopalians, from the Apostolic times, they were all evangelists. Methodist from Whitfield and Wesley. The Quakers from Fox. The Baptists from Roger Williams. The Congregationalists from Finney.
In all ages God has blessed revivals. What does Boston need more than a pure revival?
I know some men who have preached thirteen years, yet have not led one to Christ, and had an annual sermon against revivals.
Some do not believe in sudden conversion. Was not Paul's sudden? Revival means bringing out from obscurity. Look at Egypt; look at Palestine. She shook under John the Baptist. They stayed out in the woods to hear him preach. Did Christ rebuke it? Think of sending 70 laymen in pairs, and he yet not on high and the Holy Ghost came down and the fire spread all over the nations round about.
Go to the old book and see. Elijah was not of the regular order, nor was John the Baptist.
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I would have the drunkard in the church rather than some deacons.
Where is your son? Has he gone astray? Do not say a word, this meeting might save your boy.
Take up all these subjects. Sudden conversion. Zaccheus must have been converted getting out of that tree. After Christ went away they were converted a great deal faster. He says, "Greater works than these shall ye do, because I go to my Father." And as I speak these words I would like him to say it to us.
If all blossoms nature put on trees come to maturity it would break them down. Do all business men succeed? How many have failed? Did Christ give it up when many walked no more with him?
Four-fifths of the church have been converted in revivals. Some say, I don't like them because they are not in the regular order; perfect order is when you are dead. At the resurrection some of the grave stones will come tumbling down.
In topics, go from Genesis to Revelation. Pray for faith. I prayed and thought it would come, and then I would turn towns upside down. One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, 17th verse, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. There is no man with faith who does not read the Bible. Men flatter themselves. If I had faith, said a preacher, that I should be saved, I could get out of my carriage and leap for joy.
Read James' Epistles then we will see if we might know. Thirty-two times it speaks of knowing.
Take up justification. Those who believe it become a mighty power. No book teaches it like the Bible. Some do not believe in the atonement-not a book in the Bible but what refers to it. "The heel of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." Christ's
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divinity, they say, He is not divine. Am I going to take John Jones' opinion or see what the Holy Spirit says or Peter or Paul?
A man came to the after-meeting and said: "Can I see you alone? I have overdrawn my account." The new phrase for stealing. Suppose I had said: "Have you stolen a thousand dol- lars? Don't you steal more than five hundred this year, then one hundred, then none at all." And he could say, "I have been converted gradually." What does the Bible say? Let him that steals, steal no more.
I heard a man say: "I had two false doctrines, sudden con- version and saints to know that they are saved." You are a drunken man and strike your wife. Do not do it as often. If once in a week, only once in two weeks and ten in six months. No, if you are going north turn and go south Fourth day.
The types of Christ are: Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Job, Daniel ; find Christ in these men.
Take Joseph: Did not God take him out of the pit and place him on the throne and put the grace of the right kind in his heart and at the right moment?
Take one word in your study of the Bible. "Bless you, un- derstand it, reflect on it." The word obedience in Ephesians, obey him, do his will, walk worthy of your vocation, walk in him acceptably.
There must be a difference in the children of light. It will teach you separation. Study Thessalonians, the letter W. Wor- shiping or witnessing or take notes, it will fascinate you. Study the blessings of the Lord. Psalm 103 are six things forgiveth, forgetteth, beautifier, humbleth, redeemeth, crowneth.
The Bible is the book that is to last. Turn aside to hear about it. Study it, divide it up, as it is. Law, prophecy, Psalms, Gospel, Epistles, Revelations, get the key.
Exodus, sixth chapter, sixth and seventh verses. Deu- teronomy is Christ's special book of reference. We want God's
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thought, not man's opinions. This world wants the truth. Isaiah 11:10. Fear not for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. God can heal all our dis- eases. The soul has diseases as well as the body. We are not satisfied. He also satisfies us with good things, if we will take them.
Exodus is redemption, Leviticus is the law speaking, Deuteronomy brings you out of bondage. I will take you to me as a people. Take the "I wills." The great God says the "I will." If God is with me cannot I stand? God holds me. Believing is in John 78 times. I believe the time has come to study the Bible. We have too much text preaching. They go to a Bible just to get a text.
The people say they want something oratorical. They for- get in 24 hours what you have talked. But if of the Bible that will abide, if sent into their minds, he has made it truth, if not prove it wrong, the professing Christian does not know, and the unconverted ones are standing off and laughing at them. That's the crying want of today. Feed the people out of the Bible. Some say the people will not go to hear that kind of preaching. Go to Glasgow, Scotland. Two-thrids of the con- gregation are taking notes. Andrew Bonar's plan is to take six months through Jeremiah. The whole people send these notes to friends. Men stop off or go out of their way to hear the theologian Bonar. I said, when last in Europe, What is he preaching on now? They said, Andrew is on Galatians. He told the story of Paul visiting Peter, and they went out and viewed the grounds around Jerusalem, and out toward Galilee and Kedron. Don't people like to hear such preaching Make the scriptures real. We have got to put flesh on these bones, and set them walking.
Prayer
We thank Thee so many come to hear, may we love it more and live in the spirit. We are away from home, journeying to a better land; we pray for ministers and people that they shall love the way of salvation, and appear with thee in glory. Amen.
CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS
The Home of Emerson, Thoreau and Louisa M. Alcott
A winter in Boston includes in it a visit to its noted sub- urbs. In the year 1889, when in a boarding house of a select few, this visit to Concord, Wellesley and Plymouth was planned by all, but as it is impossible to select a time convenient, I went alone, promising to go again when they were ready.
It was a mild January day. I sat in the Fitchburg depot watching the clock, and also some domesticated Indians, who travel by cars and speak our language and look like garden women with baskets and children. Then at five minutes of the time of departure I went in search of the cars and found them filled with people; all had taken the caution to procure seats. I requested a place by an elderly lady and after the car started asked her if she could tell me anything about Emerson, for I was going to visit his former home.
"Yes," she replied, "I can. I know his wife very well. She was a Miss Jackson, my old Sunday school teacher, and a sweet- er woman never lived; but Emerson, I don't see why people make fools of themselves praising him. He could not take a dollar to market and bring home a dollar's worth."
"That is the way of literary men," I replied.
"Well, I cannot see why it is so; if he is going to talk about things he should know something about them." Again she said, "His grave is in Sleepy Hollow Cemtery, and they sent to Vermont for a big boulder for a tombstone, with not a scratch to tell where it came from, only his name. One of our rocks would have done as well. These mountains are all alike. They never change when across the line.
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"But I get off here. I live on Huntington avenue, and I am calling on old friends. His son lies buried by his first wife, and you will find a good many noted people buried there."
On arrival at Concord I asked the ticket agent the nearest way to Emerson's home or that of Thoreau. A young lady standing by said, "I will show you Thoreau's old home." So I went with her. But few people were to be seen. She said, "This is the street. I turn off here, but those children will take you to the very door." She called them and the eldest girl said, "Certainly we will."
It was but a few steps and there the street ended. They pointed to a low, two-story frame house with two windows above and two below, and a door at the side, with a window near it.
I rapped; a comely lady came; I gave my errand and in substance she said: "Thoreau went to live with Emerson after his stay of two years at Walden Pond. He had queer notions. Emerson was the only person who really appreciated him, living on what he grew himself."
"Can I look through the windows he looked through?"
"Oh, yes; step in. The room is just as he lived in it. To get to Emerson's, follow the road to the forks at the hotel; then turn to the right and ask whoever you meet."
I found the hotel and here met the lady who accompanied her to Thoreau's. She pointed out the way; it was a half mile, and as we traversed it and thought how often had this philos- opher as he walked to town left his impress on the sands, while he has drawn his inspiration from this ridge of timbered hills, with the cemetery stones at its base.
Emerson's house we are familiar with, but the interior, where his study is, we would like to see. We gently rapped at the door. A sweet girl came and said the family were at dinner, but while she was gone to ask the privilege we stepped within
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the entry with its spiral stairway and saw the length and breadth of the sitting room, with its front windows and its fire in a grate opposite, the table and books and library gave the appearance of a cultured family. We sketched the house at the front gate, under some tall trees, and then turned to the School of Philosophy, which is in sight and just back of Hawthorne's old home, now occupied by W. L. Harris, President of the National Board of Education. Once occupied by Louisa M. Alcott-a double house, also beneath the ridge, which is cov- ered with trees and bushes.
As we retraced our steps a carriage was driven out of Emerson's yard by a lady with white hair and pallid face. She eyed me keenly, then spurring her horse, drove rapidly to town.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston, May 25, 1803; entered Harvard at the age of 14, graduated when 17 and be- came a pastor of a Unitarian society at 26. He resigned in three years because of the gradually increasing difference between pastor and people in modes of thought and usage.
His first noticeable productions were a series of lectures before a college society-"Nature and Man." At the age of 34, in 1841, he published the "Methods of Nature," "Man, the Reformer." At the age of 46 he made us to sing for joy that we were ever born and as loved ones of the great "I Am." What he says is true, is intuitive. He steps boldly out and we feel we have followed his thoughts as they entered his mind, and he has made the world to appear to us as it does to God, a scaffolding on which to climb nearer to the Great Eternal, and that all religions are messages to the various grades of under- standing. He has made us to rise higher as soon as this life and its helps are sufficiently studied.
Concord was the home of Nathaniel P. Hawthorne from 1843 to 1846. In those three years he published "Mosses From
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an Old Manse." He then returned to Salem, his native place. He was one year younger than Emerson, a classmate of Long- fellow, and a graduate of Bowdoin College.
Henry David Thoreau was of French ancestry, who came from the Island of Guernsey. He was born in Concord, July, 1817, graduated from Harvard, 1839, but without any literary distinction. His father made lead pencils and Henry tried to make a better one than was then in use. He was powerful in arithmetic. He could measure the distance of objects, the size of trees, the extent of ponds, and, given the height of moun- tains, the air line distances of summits. A good land sur- veyor, it led him into secluded grounds and helped in his study of Nature.
He found all the employment he wanted. At 28 he built a small house on Walden Pond. As soon as he had exhausted the advantages of that situation he abandoned it. It was a pleasure and a privilege to walk with him. He knew the countryside as does a bird, and passed through it as freely on paths of his own. Under his arm he carried an old music book to press plants. In his pocket was a diary, a spy-glass for birds, a microscope and a jack-knife and twine.
He noted all the plants that would bloom on a certain day. He could tell the time of year it was by the plants. He grew to be revered by his townsmen. Farmers who employed him as a surveyor discovered his rare accuracy and skill. He would know the makers of the stone arrow head. It was well worth a visit to California to learn it. He would ask questions of Indians, but it was like catechising bears and rabbits. His eye was open to beauty and his ear to music.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Congress has established in Washington this school of object lessons. It is in the grounds of the Smithsonian Insti- tute, of which it is a part, and where it could be easily defended from fires. It should be the pride of our nation. We have but a little more than a century's growth as a Republic, but from the exhibit of the utensils and fabrics there we are astounded at the improvements made. In viewing the work of the western Indians, we are led to hope our people will feel more friendly toward them, and have a desire to aid in their civilization, for they once roamed over this soil and claimed it for their own. The spcialist, the philosopher and theologian and the child are delighted with this rapid and accurate means of knowledge.
The first to attract your attention is a feather cape from Hawaii, of scarlet and gold; the network is native hemp, and by finer threads of the hemp the feathers are attached to it. The yellow feathers are obtained from a rare and shy bird. It has a small tuft of these feathers on each shoulder. It is caught alive by bird-catchers, the yellow feathers removed, and then let go. The red feathers are from the body and neck of the cocina, the most abundant bird of Hawaii. This feather cloak was made before 1819. It took eight years to make it; not less than a million dollars were spent upon it. A piece of moleskin worth $150 was given for five yellow feathers and a bunch of yellow feathers was received by the King in payment of a poll tax. Until recent years they were the robes of royal state and considered the principal treasure of the crown.
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European clothing has now taken their place and they are no longer manufactured. Captain A. H. Aulick, U. S. A., who presented it, stated that in 1837 in a rebellion to establish the old religion, it fell from the shoulders of one of the chiefs, "Ta-me-ha," and was presented to the United States. The width is four feet, bottom 111/2, and the neck 23 inches.
The cases next to it are filled with relics of George Wash- ington; his last uniform; his mess chest; a leather box two feet square, with its little gridiron, salt, pepper and other bottles; his tent of linen cloth, ridge pole 131/2 feet, pitch of roof 83/4 feet, circumference at foot of roof, 75 feet; surveying compass and field glass used at Mount Vernon, and his ledger. In a note he says: "Before the accounts are finally closed, justice and propriety call upon me to certify that there are persons in the British lines, if they are not dead or removed, who may make a claim upon the public under the strongest assurances from me for their services, in giving me private intelligence, and which when exhibited, I shall feel in honor bound to pay. Why these claims have not made their appearance ere this, unless from other than the causes above mentioned, or from a disin- clination to come forth until the British force is entirely re- moved from the United States, I know not, but I have thought it is an incumbent duty upon me to bring the matter to view, that it may be held in remembrance in case such claims shall hereafter appear .- G. W."
In another place he says: "July 2, cash advanced Lieu- tenant Colfax for household expenses between first of January, 17.79, and this date." The expenditure for the year 1779 and 1780, 6,000.74 ($7,000) lawful, together with interest. The relics of George Washington; his blue and chamois skin mil- itary suit, his tent of hand-spun linen, his mirror, his cloth chairs with carved, fan-shaped backs and his field glass.
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Martha Washington's Sevres chinaware and blue stoneware, presented by the officers of the Cincinnatus Society, made in 1770; a few pieces of the tableware presented by General La- fayette, decorated with a chain of fifteen links, containing the names of the States; border painted by O'Neil; candlesticks of silver, candelabra, finger bowls-all as good as our colonists could afford.
Placed beside these were the souvenirs given to President Grant in 1870 by officers, when he sailed around the world, as tokens of good will and fellowship by other nations.
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