Another Time, Another Place

Friday
June 26, 2015

It's been an interesting day. I opened my eyes this morning and Michael reported that the Supreme Court passed the law for same sex marriages for all 50 states. Before that they upheld Affordable Care. The whole country has been in a hoopla about the confederate flag and statues of fine men who fought for their beliefs. Where does all witch hunting stop?

We have race cards and religion cards and all sorts of craziness going on. In my opinion, we are now entering into a Post-Constitutional America that shares much in common with the pre-constitutional British Colonies.

My country as I knew it growing up and as an adult is no more. We, the People, have given our government control of just about everything and that makes me wonder what is down the road.

Although I am very open minded, I am not a Liberal as liberal is now defined; therefore, I cannot consider myself a Democrat. There are many areas where the Republicans have fallen down; therefore, I cannot consider myself a Republican. That makes my preference to follow Christ's ways a narrow road and a difficult one.   I am very quiet today reflecting on what has been, what is, and what all this mandated law means for me and all Americans.

On another note, I've been doing more research on my mother's family this week. I've gone back to John Hall who came to America in 1630. Why do this? Well, to start with, I've always believed that people need to know where they came from ~ where their roots were planted. How'd my ancestors get to America and how did they end up in Minnesota? So many times our talents and beliefs are those of our forefathers (passed from generation to generation) and I've always been curious about what makes me "me."

My mother's family is pretty easy to trace because they came to America at such an early date and were quite influential in the founding of settlements in different parts of the country. The toughest part has been trying to figure out which son/daughter branched out to me. It's fun because I am realizing that my maternal family were adventurers, God-loving, leaders, and givers to their families, communities, and country.

My great-grandfather RJ Hall, fought with the 92nd NY Infantry in the Civil War (before him, Nathaniel Hall fought in the Revolutionary War). There seems to be a lot of written information about the 92 NY Infantry including that my great-grandfather was wounded in the head at the battle of Fair Oaks.

RJ Hall far right

I thought it was interesting that a news clipping I read  included a Bible presentation to the 92nd Regiment at Camp Union ~ 900 copies of the New Testament and Psalms were handed out as gifts to the soldiers from the St. Lawrence County Bible Society. The presenter, the Rev Gorrie, stated that it was not the wish of the Society to interfere with any man's denominational views or opinions. (This is where I found that the clip got really interesting)  Said Mr Gorrie, "He that is a consistent Protestant, let him be a Protestant still; he that is a good Catholic, let him be a Catholic still; he that is an Episcopalian, or Baptist, or Presbyterian, or Methodist, let him be either still; but let every man who receives this book be a true Christian..."

After the presentation, Col Sanford thanked the Society, and assured his men that the little book was the best gift of Heaven to man, encouraged them to read it and build their lives on its precepts. He then turned to the Chaplain, the Rev MR Pierce and charged him as an officer of the regiment to be faithful in the truth contained in that book among the men whose spiritual interests were committed to his charge. The Chaplain responded by pledging himself to do so and encouraged all to keep the Commandments of God and abide by the instructions of the New Testament.

A Rev OC Cole added some remarks in reference to the value of the Scriptures and the consolation to be gotten from them in the hour of danger. He then blessed the men of the Regiment. I remembered my father telling a similar story about the Psalms and New Testament they received as part of their Army issue in WWII. Do the armed forces still hand out Bibles? I doubt it.

Many of the first settlers came to this country because of religious persecution in England. They wanted to be able to worship without government interference. From the very beginning there was separation of church and state; HOWEVER, from what I've learned, not a separation of God and state. There is a big difference.

(Information read in an article of the NY State Military Museum
and Veterans Research Center)

If you are interested in reading more about the spiritualness of our founding settlers look up "Freeman."  John Hall became a Freeman in 1634 in Charleston ~ these folks took their Christian faith seriously!!

I know this is might be boring for most of you. When I started my blog, it was with the purpose of letting my own family inside my thoughts and world and the world from whence I came. For them, it's a history lesson ... for others of you, I hope you will get curious about your own ancestry and leave that information for your own children. Your family needs to know where you stand on the tough issues of life.

Lord God in Heaven, your name is holy above all names.  I want your ways to be my ways. I pray for my country ~ especially the narrow mindedness that seems to be running rampant. Hot tears roll down my cheeks as I pray. My consolation is knowing that You are ultimately in control. My mind is racing with different verses in the Bible and I pray you will sustain your people in the years ahead. Maybe because I entered the world of the Union soldier, I began to understand more about the Confederate soldier and the pride he also felt as he raised his flag in battle. We must not erase history ~ it's important to remember and respect that period of time. To obliterate flags and statues of men and women who believed in their own cause doesn't mean it didn't happen. The youth of my church are at camp this week and I ask that you raise up a generation of warriors who will fight for You and your ways. I pray for healing for those in your fold who are healing from surgeries and illnesses. I pray for those who are in troubled relationships and for those who are suffering from low self esteem. Comfort and guide us as we follow your son, Jesus. Amen and Amen, it is so...

Miss Dottie

PS  "This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." ~Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place