JUNE EDITION---2018--- WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

INTRODUCTION: Ahh the month of June.  What a month as it seems most of the days are sunny and bright.  The new plantings in gardens of flower and vegetables are basking in their new found homes as they daily seek their ripening of fruit.  For us, as we mark time the months which cover many noted events for special groups and causes, June exemplifies herself.   However, two days stand out as important to the celebrated calendar.  One of these days would be Fathers Day and the other Flag Day.  We will say a little more about these days as we progress and give some highlighted quotes and influence that have been noted in our society.   

I. CONTINUING OUR DISCUSSION... A Look at the Campbell-Purcell Debate-

It is often hard for us, in our modern mode of life, to imagine frontier America before the Civil War.  Much of the continent of the United States was not yet settled or explored by white Europeans or Americans.  There were settled areas of communities,  but their prosperity would eventually depend on their location.  Besides this, new identities, different than in Europe began to express themselves. The Industrial Revolution was in its infancy in America and noted models of education and assimilation of immigrants was about to go from slow to hyper. Northern and Southern Europeans responded to the oppression in their native countries in other growing numbers as they moved to the United States.  

Still further, there were the dynamics of education and forms of written communication such as newspapers.  How were these teaming populations going to be educated in the language and customs of America?  At this juncture, on the Ohio River was one of the most dynamic cities on the frontier.  Cincinnati,Ohio which was part of the great state of Ohio, became a state in 1803.  Furthermore, it was becoming a center of the pork industry.  People were coming at various rates to settle or move on to the west.  Several meetings of the education leaders of Cincinnati and the west both religious and secular were involved in looking to the future.  In October of 1836 there was such a considered meeting held at the College of Teachers, an education society, which had only been founded in 1831.  

On the evening of October 3, 1836 a number of educated leaders from the frontier colleges or universities were invited to envision how the education structure would look in future years on the frontier.  We know from the minutes of this meeting that Alexander Campbell attended and opened the meeting with prayer.  Following this an education pioneer Dr. Joshua L. Wilson spoke first concerning universal free education and the use of the Bible as a text book.  When he finished, noted Catholic Bishop Purcell, later Archbishop, attacked Wilson's idea about using the Bible as a textbook.  This rather hotly debated topic continue to engage the group as Campbell included his comments and ideas in the discussion.  As a well known speaker and debater, Campbell later on October 5, lectured on the topic of a "Moral Culture."  In his presentation, Campbell included and identified such ideas as "freedom of thought" which he said were partially the result of the Protestant Reformation.  Bishop Purcell, as he did with Dr. Wilson, objected and said that the Reformation, from his Catholic perspective, was the cause of all the world's dissension and infidelity.  Campbell responded directly and told Bishop Purcell that this should not be the platform for such a discussion, but if this topic were to be examined he would meet Bishop Purcell anywhere else to continue in this line of reasoning.

On October 10, Campbell defended his position in an address at the Sycamore Street Church which at this point identified itself as of a Disciples origin. Campbell in debate style gave Purcell an opportunity to respond. Bishop Purcell asked for time to gather his thoughts and he then returned to next night to speak. He commenced to launching into a tirade against Luther and the Protestant Reformation.  He said the that Luther was the devil incarnate and enslaved to his own lusts.  It was said he used such strong language that the ladies in the audience blished.  Campbell then responded with a challenge to a debate.  At this point Purcell declined for reasons of health. 

Fifty-seven citizen wrote Campbell begging him to expose the Catholic absurdity. He agreed to debate and returned to Bethany, Virginia (now West Virginia).  A little historic context would be good to note at this juncture.  There was a national discussion relating to papal power in the American state.  This was primarily agitated in large part to the advent of immigration on a large scale following the close of the Napoleonic was of 1815.  A strong anti-catholic sentiment existed in the country.  In more recent history of American media, it was like the question asked of John F. Kennedy's allegiance in his run for President in 1960.   

Campbell returned to Cincinnati in January of 1837.  Purcell had since learned he was given permission to debate by the Diocese.  One of the complications of the debate was the healthy of Campbell.  Purcell was thirty six at the time and Campbell was in his late forties.  In his winter trip from Bethany Campbell found the Ohio frozen and river traffic was halted included passengers.  Remember, this is not the Ohio River we see today monitored by the Corps of Engineers with free flowing waters.  He took a longer overland route and caught cold in the process, remaining ill through most of the debate.  After arriving in Cincinnati Campbell met with Purcell and agreed to the propositions and rules of the debate.  

The debate began at 9:30a.m. on January 13, 1837 and there were seven points of discussion which because of time and space I will not list but please see my sources below.  Both men were valiant debaters, it took Campbell several days to clear his voice over a fever because of his cold.  Sources of Campbell's arguments were challenged and at the end Campbell made some excellent responses to the validity of the Protestant Reformation.  However, most commentators then and now believe Campbell lost he debate.  Purcell was a young rising Prelete in the Roman Catholic Church and known for his excellent scholarship.  He became Archbishop in 1850. Most of the reformers in the audience felt Campbell won the debate and his points were for generations considered classic material for anti-catholic debate.  There had been an agreement to split the proceeds of the debate and by 1838, Campbell's share amounted to $800.00 at six cents a copy.  I modern concepts, the printed debate did well.  

Note: See sources for further details and discussion: Michael W. Hines, History of the American Restoration Movement (2nd Ed.). (Cincinnati- Christian Restoration Association-2016) pg. 107-112.

Eva Jean Wrather, Alexander Campbell: Adventure in Freedom, a Literary Biography. (Edited by D.Duane Cummins). (Fort Worth: A project of TCU Press and the Disciples of Christ Historical Society 2009) pgs. 68-78)

II. DIGGING DEEPER... History is a Living, Changing Reality but True...

Much of history as it is collected and analyzed will be further interpreted and raised to new heights of scrutiny, or simply appreciated by the interpreters.  Sometimes cynical quotes and disruptive ideas are displayed.  Voltaire said, "...History is little else than a picture of human crimes and misfortunes."  Henry Ford said rather tritely, "...History is more or less bunk."  History is both a art and a science, but the people discovered in its annals, or displayed in one discipline, may be rejected in another discipline until proper scholarship or evidence is tested. Such is the empire of Assyria. Its rulers have in most part been chronicled and noted for our consideration. The last ruler of the Assyrians was King Ashurbanipal.(669-626B.C.)  He was more of a scholar and artist than what we might call a conqueror.  He once boasted, "I read the beautiful clay tablets from Sumer and the obscure Akkadian writing which is hard to master.  I had joy in the reading of the inscriptions on stone from the time before the flood."  Ashurbanipal  created a large library by gathering texts from royal archives and religious centers in the Ancient Near East.  In Ezra 4:10 he is called the "great and noble Asnapper."

In 1852-53 Hormuzd Rassam discovered the remains of Ashurbanipal's library in the ruins of ancient Nineveh.  From 1853 to 1876 about 22,000 religious literary and scientific texts were discovered.  The tablets were taken to the British Museum where they were studied and deciphered.  Some of the fragments reported an ancient Babylonian legend of creation with some similarities to the creation record in the book of Genesis.  Many of these accounts both Assyrian and later Babylonian follow the same simple creation sequence: primeval chaos, coming of light, creation of the firmament, appearance of dry land, creation of sun, moon, stars, creation of man, and the Deity resting.

The Biblical account of the creation story is inspiring and uplifting in its account.  Creation in the Bible is an act of an omnipotent God seeking to display His creation.  There is evolution within the species, but a unique separation of various classes and species.  Here are a few scriptures that give a spontaneous act of sequentialism in creation. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  He gathered the waters of the sea together as a heap: he laid up the depth in storehouses.  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast."(Psalm 33:6,7,9)  "For by him were all things created...he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Col. 1:16,17).  You are worthy, O Lord to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they and were created." (Rev.4:11)

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... "Thanks Dad"... A Sermon for Father's Day...
       

Text: Ephesians 6:1-4

Introduction: June is the month in which many churches and a groups celebrate Father's Day.  Culturally, there are a lot of mixed signals when it comes to nodes the roles of Fathers.  One small boy was once asked on a sidewalk interview to compare Mother's Day and Father's Day.  He said, "...Father's Day and Mother's Day are just the same expect on Father's Day you don't spend so much on the gift."  Paul gives us some insight on Fathers, remembering he is speaking to a pagan culture that is given a new ethos through the conversion of Christianity.  We simply want to say "Thanks Dad" for your sacrifice and love.

A. Thanks for Material Possessions...  Most responsible fathers wish to provide for their families.  Paul will stress in another New Testament book by addressing Fathers in a pagan culture the following inspired advice..."If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." I Timothy 5:8.  He wants the Christian fathers in the family to understand that even the pagan unbelievers provided for their families. They as Christian fathers should do much more by example.

Even if your earthly fathers were not Christians but were good providers, thank God for their provision "materially."

B. Thanks for Faithful Instruction- If we will listen and remember we could often be instructed in the right areas of life.  I remember my father giving me the following instruction, "Keith, pay attention to what you are doing..."  My father is deceased, but I can still remember even as an adult his advise when I returned home to visit with my family.  He was still giving instruction.  Periodically, he would see that I was learning something and doing it correctly.  He then would encourage me by a positive gesture or word.  I believe this kept my brother and I from getting exasperated.  I have raised two sons and a daughter and have to ask myself on a number of occasions "ARE YOU A COACH OR A CRITIC?"

C. Thanks for the Godly Illustrations-  My father did not get serious about his Christian walk until he experienced a "brain aneurysm."  After this his questions were less critical about Christianity and the Church.  He started asking questions to get some answers only God could give him.  I had people in my local congregation that were great role models.  People like Howard Taylor is one I could think off the bat.  He was an Elder and leader in a direct but quiet way.  He help us young men grow.  Ministers like Alva Sizemore and Rod Huron likewise in their families exhibited true Christian strength and love.  They were not conformed to this world but were transformed examples.

Conclusion: I found this advice from an old paper called North American Union News.  I rescued it while helping to clear out some material from my grandmother's home.  This short column was entitled: A FATHER'S ADVICE- A father, seeing his son about to go out into the world, gave him the following rules, without which, he said, the young man could not hope to succeed: 

Tell the truth-falsehoods are hard to remember.

Shine the heels of your shoes as well as the toes.

Don't lend money to your friends-you will lose both.

Don't watch the clock; it will keep on going-you do the same.

You do not need clean cuffs every day, but you need a clean conscience all the time.

Don't borrow money unless you positively have the wherewithal to pay it back; then you don't need it.

IV. A THOUGHT ON THE FLAG:  On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the flag.  Less than two months later an ensign was raised from the southwest bastion  of Fort Stanwix.  The Continental Congress' resolution read: "Resolved: That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."  Many a young man and women have defended the United States of America since this declaration.  Many stars have been added since 1777 and innumerable stories of heroism and sacrifice have recorded.  All races, creeds and beliefs have set below her colors.  However, freedom is not free and many, would today, minimize her significance or criticise her accomplishments.  The noble experiment of the United States of American have in its history freed more people than all civilizations in the World.  God Bless America!!!