Here is a photo of the grave marker for my great, great grandfather Samuel Stowell who fought in the American Revolution. He left quite a legacy.
We
are learning about “Legacy” at church--what will you be remembered for after
you are gone? Our church is twenty years old and our legacy so far is
that we are a church planting church. There have been at least 17
churches planted within that time.
My
parents and grandparents left letters they had written or received for us to
explore. Slowly their legacy of faith and good works is emerging as we
read through those that are left to us.
Chris
and I just saw the movie “ Hidden Figures.” Those women had the right
idea— educate yourself above and beyond anybody else, pick your battles and you will succeed.
They did not participate in the protests in 1961. They left a legacy of faith
and achievement to us.
The
history below was sent to me by a college classmate, Marcene, who was
co-owner with her husband of the pharmacy in Dayton, WA:
HISTORY:
Susan
Be Anthony was born Feb. 15, 1820 in an age when woman were considered inferior
to men. Many restaurants had signs that said “No females allowed.” Woman
could not hold most jobs nor public office, or even vote. Anthony spent
most of her life trying to right those
injustices. Marcene’s
note: In the history of the Elk Drug of Dayton (the oldest
continuing drug store,1889, in the state of Washington), there is a reference
to an early pharmacy in Starbuck, WA., which is a small community near
by. The note says that the pharmacy started in Starbuck at
about the same time as the Elk Drug but the druggist was a woman. The ladies of
Starbuck didn’t trust her so she went out of business. Worse than
that, at the annual state meeting of pharmacists held after the turn of the century, it was proposed that more ladies be admitted to the
profession. The protest was loud and clear. . . The claim was that woman
did not allow smoking behind the pharmacy counter, they constantly complained
of the mess, and they insisted upon good records.
Once again, women picked their battles and educated themselves. This is from a high school classmate—“ You would be
most interested to hear about studies done about women physicians (med school
entries are half women now). Women are found to have more successful results
and fewer complications than men.”
While
thinking about "Legacy" I heard about the letter below that Abraham
Lincoln had written. This clearly defines his legacy. He was born
in February so we celebrate President's Day each year with a day off.
He left a great legacy of many wonderful addresses and letters and of
course the preservation of the union. Below is one letter he wrote to
Eliza Gurney. Just as Abraham Lincoln's letter suggests, Eliza Gurney,
the widow of the English Quaker Joseph J. Gurney, visited President Lincoln
about two years earlier, assuring him of her prayers during a difficult period
in the Civil War. About this time, President Lincoln also had written an
unpublished memorandum relating the war to the will of God. His 1864 reply to
Mrs. Gurney reveals a continuing thread of interest in that topic, which would
reach its height in his Second Inaugural Address the next spring.
Executive
Mansion,
Washington, September 4, 1864.
Eliza
P. Gurney.
My esteemed friend.
I
have not forgotten--probably never shall forget--the very impressive occasion
when yourself and friends visited me on a Sabbath forenoon two years ago. Nor
has your kind letter, written nearly a year later, ever been forgotten. In all,
it has been your purpose to strengthen my reliance on God. I am much indebted
to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayers and
consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself. The purposes of the
Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to
accurately perceive them in advance. We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible
war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet
acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile we must work
earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so working still
conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely He intends some great good to
follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could
stay.
Your
people--the Friends--have had, and are having, a very great trial. On
principle, and faith, opposed to both war and oppression, they can only
practically oppose oppression by war. In this hard dilemma, some have chosen
one horn, and some the other. For those appealing to me on conscientious
grounds, I have done, and shall do, the best I could and can, in my own conscience,
under my oath to the law. That you believe this I doubt not; and believing it,
I shall still receive, for our country and myself, your earnest prayers to our
Father in heaven.
Your
sincere friend
A. Lincoln.
