"Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." --Rom. 5:20
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our
sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured--
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse
within, Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than
all our sin!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with
infinite loss; Grace that is greater--yes, grace untold--
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide--What can avail to
wash it away? Look! there is flowing a crimson tide--
Whiter than snow you may be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on
all who believe! You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse
within, Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than
all our sin!
--Julia H. Johnston
Sunday, January 31, 2010
[George Washington] Mini-Bio; #7
The stately column that stretches
heavenward from the plain whereon we
stand bears witness to all who behold it,
that the covenant which our fathers made,
their children have fulfilled. In the com-
pletion of this great work of patriotic en-
deavor there is abundant cause for national
rejoicing, for while this structure shall en-
dure it shall be to all mankind a steadfast
token for the affectionate and reverent re-
gard in which this people continue to hold
the memory of Washington. Well may he
ever keep the foremost place in the hearts
of his countrymen.
--Chester A. Arthur, 1885, On Presenting
the Washington National Monument to
the People, Feb. 21.
However, to say nothing of eloquence,
Washington had not those brilliant and
extraordinary qualities, which strike the
imagination of men at the first glance.
He did not belong to the class of men of
vivid genius, who pant for an opportunity
of display, are impelled by great thoughts
or great passions, and diffuse around them
the wealth of their own natures, before any
outward occasion or necessity calls for its
employment. Free from all internal restles-
sness, and the promptings and pride of
ambition, Washington did not seek oppor-
tunities to distinguish himself, and never as-
pired to the admiration of the world. This
spirit, so resolute, this heart so lofty, was
profoundly calm and modest. Capable of
rising to a level with the highest destiny, he
might have lived in ignorance of his real
power, without suffering from it, and have
found, in the cultivation of his estates, a
satisfactory employment for those energet-
ic faculties, which were to be proved equal
to the task of commanding armies and
founding a government. But, when the op-
portunity presented itself, when the exi-
gence occurred, without effort on his part,
without any surprise on the part of others,
indeed rather, as we have just seen, in con-
formity with their expectations the prudent
planter stood forth a great man. He had, in
a remarkable degree, those two qualities
which, in active life, make men capable of
great things. He could confide strongly in
his own views, and act resolutely in con-
formity with them, without fearing to as-
sume the responsibility.
--Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot, 1840,
An Essay on the Character of Washington
and his Influence in the Revolution of the
United States of America.
heavenward from the plain whereon we
stand bears witness to all who behold it,
that the covenant which our fathers made,
their children have fulfilled. In the com-
pletion of this great work of patriotic en-
deavor there is abundant cause for national
rejoicing, for while this structure shall en-
dure it shall be to all mankind a steadfast
token for the affectionate and reverent re-
gard in which this people continue to hold
the memory of Washington. Well may he
ever keep the foremost place in the hearts
of his countrymen.
--Chester A. Arthur, 1885, On Presenting
the Washington National Monument to
the People, Feb. 21.
However, to say nothing of eloquence,
Washington had not those brilliant and
extraordinary qualities, which strike the
imagination of men at the first glance.
He did not belong to the class of men of
vivid genius, who pant for an opportunity
of display, are impelled by great thoughts
or great passions, and diffuse around them
the wealth of their own natures, before any
outward occasion or necessity calls for its
employment. Free from all internal restles-
sness, and the promptings and pride of
ambition, Washington did not seek oppor-
tunities to distinguish himself, and never as-
pired to the admiration of the world. This
spirit, so resolute, this heart so lofty, was
profoundly calm and modest. Capable of
rising to a level with the highest destiny, he
might have lived in ignorance of his real
power, without suffering from it, and have
found, in the cultivation of his estates, a
satisfactory employment for those energet-
ic faculties, which were to be proved equal
to the task of commanding armies and
founding a government. But, when the op-
portunity presented itself, when the exi-
gence occurred, without effort on his part,
without any surprise on the part of others,
indeed rather, as we have just seen, in con-
formity with their expectations the prudent
planter stood forth a great man. He had, in
a remarkable degree, those two qualities
which, in active life, make men capable of
great things. He could confide strongly in
his own views, and act resolutely in con-
formity with them, without fearing to as-
sume the responsibility.
--Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot, 1840,
An Essay on the Character of Washington
and his Influence in the Revolution of the
United States of America.
[George Washington] Mini-Bio; #6
Perhaps the strongest feature in his
character was prudence, never acting until
every circumstance, every consideration,
was maturely weighed; refraining if he
saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going
through with his purpose, whatever ob-
stacles opposed. His integrity was most
pure, his justice the most inflexible I have
ever known. . . . On the whole, his charac-
ter was in its mass, perfect; in nothing bad,
in few points indifferent; and it may truly
be said, that never did nature and fortune
combine more perfectly to make a man
great, and to place him in the same constel-
lation with whatever worthies have merited
from man an everlasting remembrance.
For his was the singular destiny and merit,
of leading the armies of his country suc-
cessfully through an arduous war, for the
establishment of its independence; of con-
ducting its councils through the birth of a
government, new in its forms and princi-
ples, until it had settled down into a quiet
and orderly train; and of scrupulously
obeying the laws through the whole of his
career, civil and military, of which the
history of the world furnishes no other
example. --Thomas Jefferson, 1814,
Letter to Dr. Walter Jones, Jan. 2
He is eminently conspicuous as one of
the great benefactors of the human race,
for he not only gave liberty to millions,
but his name now stands, and will for-
ever stand, a noble example of high and
low. He is a great work of the Almighty
Artist, which none can study without re-
ceiving purer ideas and more lofty con-
ceptions of the grace and beauty of the
human character. He is one that all may
copy at different distances, and whom
none can contemplate without receiving
lasting and salutary impressions of the
sterling value, the inexpressible beauty
of piety, integrity, courage, and patriot-
ism, associated with a clear, vigorous,
and well-poised intellect. . . . He is al-
ready become the saint of liberty, which
has gathered new honors by being as-
sociated with his name; and when men
aspire to free nations, they must take
him for their model. --James Kirke
Paulding, 1835, Life of George Wash-
ington, p. 283
character was prudence, never acting until
every circumstance, every consideration,
was maturely weighed; refraining if he
saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going
through with his purpose, whatever ob-
stacles opposed. His integrity was most
pure, his justice the most inflexible I have
ever known. . . . On the whole, his charac-
ter was in its mass, perfect; in nothing bad,
in few points indifferent; and it may truly
be said, that never did nature and fortune
combine more perfectly to make a man
great, and to place him in the same constel-
lation with whatever worthies have merited
from man an everlasting remembrance.
For his was the singular destiny and merit,
of leading the armies of his country suc-
cessfully through an arduous war, for the
establishment of its independence; of con-
ducting its councils through the birth of a
government, new in its forms and princi-
ples, until it had settled down into a quiet
and orderly train; and of scrupulously
obeying the laws through the whole of his
career, civil and military, of which the
history of the world furnishes no other
example. --Thomas Jefferson, 1814,
Letter to Dr. Walter Jones, Jan. 2
He is eminently conspicuous as one of
the great benefactors of the human race,
for he not only gave liberty to millions,
but his name now stands, and will for-
ever stand, a noble example of high and
low. He is a great work of the Almighty
Artist, which none can study without re-
ceiving purer ideas and more lofty con-
ceptions of the grace and beauty of the
human character. He is one that all may
copy at different distances, and whom
none can contemplate without receiving
lasting and salutary impressions of the
sterling value, the inexpressible beauty
of piety, integrity, courage, and patriot-
ism, associated with a clear, vigorous,
and well-poised intellect. . . . He is al-
ready become the saint of liberty, which
has gathered new honors by being as-
sociated with his name; and when men
aspire to free nations, they must take
him for their model. --James Kirke
Paulding, 1835, Life of George Wash-
ington, p. 283
Saturday, January 30, 2010
[George Washington] Mini-Bio; #5
There was indeed in this patriot some-
thing that all felt, but could not describe.
A strength of understanding, a keenness
of perception, a loftiness of thought, that
convinced without argument, and subdued
without effort. His language, like his car-
riage, was impressive, elegant and manly.
It had secured a grace beyond the reach
of rhetoric; it had created an illumination
beyond the coloring of metaphor. His in-
tegrity overruled persuasion; and his maj-
esty overawed sophistry. Corruption stood
abashed in his presence, and venality
blushed into shame. The administration
caught the character of their leader, and
seconded the energies of his irresistible
influence. --Joseph Story, 1800, Eulogy
on Washington, Delivered at Marblehead,
Mass., Feb. 22.
There has scarcely appeared a really
great man whose character has been more
admired in his lifetime, or less correctly un-
derstood by his admirers. When it is com-
prehended, it is no easy task to delineate its
excellence in such a manner as to give to the
portrait both interest and resemblance; for
it requires thought and study to understand
the true ground of the superiority of his char-
acter over many others, whom he resembled
in the principles of an action, and even in the
manner of acting. But perhaps he excels all
the great men that ever lived, in the steadi-
ness of his adherence to his maxims of life,
and in the uniformity of all his conduct to the
same maxims. . . .His talents were such as
assist a sound judgment, and ripen with it.
His prudence was consummate, and seemed
to take the direction of his powers and pas-
sions; for as a soldier, he was more solicitous
to avoid mistakes that might be fatal, than to
perform exploits that are brilliant; and as a
statesman, to adhere to just prinicples, how-
ever old, than to pursue novelties; and there-
fore, in both characters, his qualities were
singularly adapted to the interest, and were
tried in the greatest perils, of the country.
--Fisher Ames, 1800, Eulogy Delivered
before the Massachusetts Legislature,
Feb. 8
thing that all felt, but could not describe.
A strength of understanding, a keenness
of perception, a loftiness of thought, that
convinced without argument, and subdued
without effort. His language, like his car-
riage, was impressive, elegant and manly.
It had secured a grace beyond the reach
of rhetoric; it had created an illumination
beyond the coloring of metaphor. His in-
tegrity overruled persuasion; and his maj-
esty overawed sophistry. Corruption stood
abashed in his presence, and venality
blushed into shame. The administration
caught the character of their leader, and
seconded the energies of his irresistible
influence. --Joseph Story, 1800, Eulogy
on Washington, Delivered at Marblehead,
Mass., Feb. 22.
There has scarcely appeared a really
great man whose character has been more
admired in his lifetime, or less correctly un-
derstood by his admirers. When it is com-
prehended, it is no easy task to delineate its
excellence in such a manner as to give to the
portrait both interest and resemblance; for
it requires thought and study to understand
the true ground of the superiority of his char-
acter over many others, whom he resembled
in the principles of an action, and even in the
manner of acting. But perhaps he excels all
the great men that ever lived, in the steadi-
ness of his adherence to his maxims of life,
and in the uniformity of all his conduct to the
same maxims. . . .His talents were such as
assist a sound judgment, and ripen with it.
His prudence was consummate, and seemed
to take the direction of his powers and pas-
sions; for as a soldier, he was more solicitous
to avoid mistakes that might be fatal, than to
perform exploits that are brilliant; and as a
statesman, to adhere to just prinicples, how-
ever old, than to pursue novelties; and there-
fore, in both characters, his qualities were
singularly adapted to the interest, and were
tried in the greatest perils, of the country.
--Fisher Ames, 1800, Eulogy Delivered
before the Massachusetts Legislature,
Feb. 8
[George Washington] Mini-Bio; #4
Is Mr. Washington among your acquaint-
ances? If not, I recommend you to em-
brace the first opportunity to form his
friendship. He is about twenty-three years
of age; with a countenance both mild and
pleasant, promising both wit and judgment.
He is of comely and dignified demeanor,
at the same time displays much self-reliance
and decision. He strikes me as being a
young man of extraordinary and exalted
character, and is destined to make no in-
considerable figure in our country.
--Gen. Edward Braddock, 1755, Letters.
I have seen General Washington, that
most singular man--the soul and support
of one of the greatest revolutions that has
ever happened, or can happen. I fixed my
eyes upon him with that keen attention
which the sight of a great man always in-
spires. We naturally entertain a secret
hope of discovering in the features of such
illustrious persons some traces of that
genius which distinguishes them from, and
elevates them above, their fellow mortals.
Perhaps the exterior of no man was better
calculated to gratify these expectations
than that of General Washington. He is
of a tall and noble stature, well propor-
tioned, a fine, cheerful, open countenance,
a simple and modest carriage; and his
whole mien has something in it that inter-
ests the French, the Americans, and even
enemies themselves in his favor. . . .
His reputation has, at length, arisen to a
most brilliant height; and he may now
grasp at the most unbounded power, with-
out provoking envy or exciting suspicion.
He has ever shown himself superior to
fortune, and in the most trying adversity
has discovered resources until then un-
known; and, as if his abilities only in-
creased and dilated at the prospect of
difficulty, he is never better supplied than
when he seems destitute of everything, nor
have his arms ever been so fatal to his
enemies, as at the very instant when they
thought they had crushed him forever. . . .
he is frugal and sober in regard to himself,
but profuse in the public cause; like Peter
the Great, he has by defeats conducted his
army to victory; and like Fabius, but with
fewer resources and more difficulty, he has
conquered without fighting and saved his
country. --Claude C. Robin, 1781, Letter
from Camp of Phillipsburg, Aug. 4; Maga-
zine of American History, vol. 20, pp.
137, 138.
ances? If not, I recommend you to em-
brace the first opportunity to form his
friendship. He is about twenty-three years
of age; with a countenance both mild and
pleasant, promising both wit and judgment.
He is of comely and dignified demeanor,
at the same time displays much self-reliance
and decision. He strikes me as being a
young man of extraordinary and exalted
character, and is destined to make no in-
considerable figure in our country.
--Gen. Edward Braddock, 1755, Letters.
I have seen General Washington, that
most singular man--the soul and support
of one of the greatest revolutions that has
ever happened, or can happen. I fixed my
eyes upon him with that keen attention
which the sight of a great man always in-
spires. We naturally entertain a secret
hope of discovering in the features of such
illustrious persons some traces of that
genius which distinguishes them from, and
elevates them above, their fellow mortals.
Perhaps the exterior of no man was better
calculated to gratify these expectations
than that of General Washington. He is
of a tall and noble stature, well propor-
tioned, a fine, cheerful, open countenance,
a simple and modest carriage; and his
whole mien has something in it that inter-
ests the French, the Americans, and even
enemies themselves in his favor. . . .
His reputation has, at length, arisen to a
most brilliant height; and he may now
grasp at the most unbounded power, with-
out provoking envy or exciting suspicion.
He has ever shown himself superior to
fortune, and in the most trying adversity
has discovered resources until then un-
known; and, as if his abilities only in-
creased and dilated at the prospect of
difficulty, he is never better supplied than
when he seems destitute of everything, nor
have his arms ever been so fatal to his
enemies, as at the very instant when they
thought they had crushed him forever. . . .
he is frugal and sober in regard to himself,
but profuse in the public cause; like Peter
the Great, he has by defeats conducted his
army to victory; and like Fabius, but with
fewer resources and more difficulty, he has
conquered without fighting and saved his
country. --Claude C. Robin, 1781, Letter
from Camp of Phillipsburg, Aug. 4; Maga-
zine of American History, vol. 20, pp.
137, 138.
That's Success
It's doing your job the best you can
And being just to your fellow man;
It's making money--but holding friends
And true to your aims and ends;
It's figuring how and learning why
And looking forward and thinking high
And dreaming a little and doing much.
It's keeping always in closest touch
With what is finest in word and deed;
It's being thorough, yet making speed;
It's daring blithely the field of chance
While making labor a brave romance;
It's going onward despite defeat
And fighting stanchly, but keeping sweet;
It's being clean and it's playing fair;
It's laughing lightly at Dame Despair;
It's looking up at the stars above
And drinking deeply of life and love.
It's struggling on with the will to win
But taking loss with a cheerful grin;
It's sharing sorrow and work and mirth
And making better this good old earth;
It's serving, striving through strain and stress;
It's doing your noblest--that's Success!
--Berton Braley
And being just to your fellow man;
It's making money--but holding friends
And true to your aims and ends;
It's figuring how and learning why
And looking forward and thinking high
And dreaming a little and doing much.
It's keeping always in closest touch
With what is finest in word and deed;
It's being thorough, yet making speed;
It's daring blithely the field of chance
While making labor a brave romance;
It's going onward despite defeat
And fighting stanchly, but keeping sweet;
It's being clean and it's playing fair;
It's laughing lightly at Dame Despair;
It's looking up at the stars above
And drinking deeply of life and love.
It's struggling on with the will to win
But taking loss with a cheerful grin;
It's sharing sorrow and work and mirth
And making better this good old earth;
It's serving, striving through strain and stress;
It's doing your noblest--that's Success!
--Berton Braley
Friday, January 29, 2010
[Jane Austen] Mini-Bio; #3
No book published in Jane Austen's
lifetime bore her name on the title-page;
she was never lionized by society; she was
never two hundred miles from home; she
died when forty-two years of age, and it
was sixty years before a biography was
attempted or asked for. She sleeps in the
cathedral at Winchester, and not so very
long ago a visitor, on asking the verger
to see her grave, was conducted thither,
and the verger asked, "Was she anybody
in particular? so many folks ask where
she's buried, you know!" But this is
changed now, for when the verger took
me to her grave and we stood by that plain
black marble slab, he spoke intelligently
of her life and work. And many visitors
now go to the cathedral only because it is
the resting-place of Jane Austen, who
lived a beautiful, helpful life and produced
great art, yet knew it not.
--Elbert Hubbard, 1897, Little Journeys
to the Homes of Famous Women, p. 353
The precise locality of the gravestone
is in the pavement of the fifth bay of the
north aisle, counting from the west. It
is a slab of black marble with the follow-
ing inscription:--"In memory of JANE
AUSTEN, youngest daughter of the late
Rev. George Austen, formerly Rector of
Steventon in this County. She departed
this life on July 18, 1817, aged 41, after
a long illness, supported with the patience
and hope of a Christian. The benevolence
of her heart, the sweetness of her temper,
and the extraordinary endowments of her
mind, obtained the regard of all who knew
her, and the warmest love of her immediate
connexions. Their grief is in proportion
to their affection; they know their loss to
be irreparable, but in their deepest afflic-
tion they are consoled by a firm, though
humble, hope that her charity, devotion,
faith, and purity have rendered her soul
acceptable in the sight of her Redeemer."
--Oscar Fay Adams, 1891-96, The Story
of Jane Austen's Life, p. 220.
lifetime bore her name on the title-page;
she was never lionized by society; she was
never two hundred miles from home; she
died when forty-two years of age, and it
was sixty years before a biography was
attempted or asked for. She sleeps in the
cathedral at Winchester, and not so very
long ago a visitor, on asking the verger
to see her grave, was conducted thither,
and the verger asked, "Was she anybody
in particular? so many folks ask where
she's buried, you know!" But this is
changed now, for when the verger took
me to her grave and we stood by that plain
black marble slab, he spoke intelligently
of her life and work. And many visitors
now go to the cathedral only because it is
the resting-place of Jane Austen, who
lived a beautiful, helpful life and produced
great art, yet knew it not.
--Elbert Hubbard, 1897, Little Journeys
to the Homes of Famous Women, p. 353
The precise locality of the gravestone
is in the pavement of the fifth bay of the
north aisle, counting from the west. It
is a slab of black marble with the follow-
ing inscription:--"In memory of JANE
AUSTEN, youngest daughter of the late
Rev. George Austen, formerly Rector of
Steventon in this County. She departed
this life on July 18, 1817, aged 41, after
a long illness, supported with the patience
and hope of a Christian. The benevolence
of her heart, the sweetness of her temper,
and the extraordinary endowments of her
mind, obtained the regard of all who knew
her, and the warmest love of her immediate
connexions. Their grief is in proportion
to their affection; they know their loss to
be irreparable, but in their deepest afflic-
tion they are consoled by a firm, though
humble, hope that her charity, devotion,
faith, and purity have rendered her soul
acceptable in the sight of her Redeemer."
--Oscar Fay Adams, 1891-96, The Story
of Jane Austen's Life, p. 220.
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