In his first Thanksgiving proclamation as president, Ronald Reagan wrote:
"America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this Nation throughout its history. In keeping with America's heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings. …
"As we celebrate Thanksgiving … we should reflect on the full meaning of this day as we enjoy the fellowship that is so much a part of the holiday festivities. Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance.
"Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people.
What are you thankful for? A job? A warm home? A loving family? Good health? All of the above, or something completely different? Perhaps it has been a difficult year for you. Loved ones may have passed on or perhaps they are deployed overseas. Perhaps you, like so many others, are struggling in this difficult economy.
In spite of the personal and national challenges we face today, I believe all of us can be thankful to be Americans. We are the descendants of the patriots who declared that "All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Those words can inspire us still and bring hope to millions around the world. With all of America's problems, we are still the nation that represents man's best hope on earth.
Shackelford Beach
Serene Shackelford
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. Almost half of the colonists were part of a separatist group seeking the freedom to practice Christianity according to their own determination and not the will of the English Church.
This agreement was signed in 1620. It was in essence a social contract in which the settlers consented to follow the compact's rules and it follows:
"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. Almost half of the colonists were part of a separatist group seeking the freedom to practice Christianity according to their own determination and not the will of the English Church.
This agreement was signed in 1620. It was in essence a social contract in which the settlers consented to follow the compact's rules and it follows:
"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
Monday, November 22, 2010
Christmas Giving
Christmas Giving
The custom of gift giving at Christmas is said to have started with the three Wise Men. The Wise Men were Magi. Who were the Magi? The word comes from a Greek word magoi, which comes from the Persian (Iranian) word for a group of priests. This group of priests was known for their great knowledge and ability to interpret dreams. They were the leaders of the state religion of Persia.
Daniel in the Bible who was a prophet six hundred years before Jesus was called the Chief of the Magi. He made an incredible number of prophecies that came true. The Angel Gabriel told him the exact day Jesus would present Himself as King to Jerusalem.
Daniel probably told the Magi about the vision and even the star telling of the Christ's birth. The Magi were prepared for the birth and followed the star to Bethlehem. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and departed home away from Jerusalem and King Herod.
These worshippers brought gifts for Jesus that were also prophetic. The gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh and foretold of Jesus being a king, priest and savior in the same order. Frankincense was a spice used in priestly duties and myrrh was an embalming ointment to be used at His death. Most babies were not given such gifts and the custom of gift giving continues to this day. Some say the custom was started by the Magi, but the first Christmas gift was Jesus Himself given by our Heavenly Father for all to believe in and receive the gift of eternal life.
However, in the third century the Magi were viewed as kings and then by the sixth century they were given names. The names were Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa.
The land of Persia was a great distance from Jerusalem and took months not days or hours to travel so the Wise Men could not have arrived the night of Jesus' birth but much later.
The custom of gift giving at Christmas is said to have started with the three Wise Men. The Wise Men were Magi. Who were the Magi? The word comes from a Greek word magoi, which comes from the Persian (Iranian) word for a group of priests. This group of priests was known for their great knowledge and ability to interpret dreams. They were the leaders of the state religion of Persia.
Daniel in the Bible who was a prophet six hundred years before Jesus was called the Chief of the Magi. He made an incredible number of prophecies that came true. The Angel Gabriel told him the exact day Jesus would present Himself as King to Jerusalem.
Daniel probably told the Magi about the vision and even the star telling of the Christ's birth. The Magi were prepared for the birth and followed the star to Bethlehem. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and departed home away from Jerusalem and King Herod.
These worshippers brought gifts for Jesus that were also prophetic. The gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh and foretold of Jesus being a king, priest and savior in the same order. Frankincense was a spice used in priestly duties and myrrh was an embalming ointment to be used at His death. Most babies were not given such gifts and the custom of gift giving continues to this day. Some say the custom was started by the Magi, but the first Christmas gift was Jesus Himself given by our Heavenly Father for all to believe in and receive the gift of eternal life.
However, in the third century the Magi were viewed as kings and then by the sixth century they were given names. The names were Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa.
The land of Persia was a great distance from Jerusalem and took months not days or hours to travel so the Wise Men could not have arrived the night of Jesus' birth but much later.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Nat Turner Had a Huge Effect
Before Nat Turner's rebellion, North Carolina was quite lenient with slaves. Then Virginia and South Carolina officials really complained and slaves appeared to be more inclines to want their freedom as opposed to more dependency in the past.
Answers.com says, "Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an 1831 uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in which at least 55 whites were killed by a group of about 50 slaves. Turner was a deeply religious man who claimed to have visions and directives from God. On the night of 21 August 1831 he led four other slaves (Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam) on a murderous spree near the town of Jerusalem, killing men, women and children in their beds. By the next day his mob had grown to at least 40 or 50, but the local militia confronted and captured most of them. Turner escaped, but was eventually captured in October and tried. He was hanged and skinned 11 November 1831. Before he was executed, he described his actions to Thomas R. Gray, and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' was later widely published in newspapers. Turner's failed rebellion led to hundreds of blacks being murdered by white vigilante mobs, and spurred a new set of strict codes that limited the activities of slaves."
Answers.com says, "Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an 1831 uprising in Southampton County, Virginia in which at least 55 whites were killed by a group of about 50 slaves. Turner was a deeply religious man who claimed to have visions and directives from God. On the night of 21 August 1831 he led four other slaves (Henry, Hark, Nelson and Sam) on a murderous spree near the town of Jerusalem, killing men, women and children in their beds. By the next day his mob had grown to at least 40 or 50, but the local militia confronted and captured most of them. Turner escaped, but was eventually captured in October and tried. He was hanged and skinned 11 November 1831. Before he was executed, he described his actions to Thomas R. Gray, and 'The Confessions of Nat Turner' was later widely published in newspapers. Turner's failed rebellion led to hundreds of blacks being murdered by white vigilante mobs, and spurred a new set of strict codes that limited the activities of slaves."
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Irony of Slavery
Most Americans think slavery was very oppressive but there are a number of freedmen especially in NC who show another side to the institution.
John Carruthers Stanly is a true anomaly as he started life as a slave, earned his freedom and became the largest slave owner in the nation in 1824. He owned over 163 slaves to work his three plantations and his barber shop which was the source of his original wealth. He had bought his wife Kitty and first three children out of slavery.
In some ways he is an embarrassment to both races, white and black, because he overcame his position as a slave and became wealthy. He embarrassed the whites as he became wealthier than they were and an embarrassment to the African- Americans because he proved one can rise above slavery and have success.
John Carruthers Stanly is a true anomaly as he started life as a slave, earned his freedom and became the largest slave owner in the nation in 1824. He owned over 163 slaves to work his three plantations and his barber shop which was the source of his original wealth. He had bought his wife Kitty and first three children out of slavery.
In some ways he is an embarrassment to both races, white and black, because he overcame his position as a slave and became wealthy. He embarrassed the whites as he became wealthier than they were and an embarrassment to the African- Americans because he proved one can rise above slavery and have success.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Christian Slave Owners?
Doing research about J. C. Stanly I found the documents showing his liberation from slavery by Lydia and Alexander Stewart. Then found Alexander Stewart was very concerned about the spiritual well-being of the slaves. He wrote in 1719 about leading four to Anglicanism and requested their being baptized. Alexander Stewart is the name of the captain of the slave ship on which J. C.'s mother was brought to America from Afica.
In 1719 Stewart was designated as "Mr." but by 1761 he was Rev. In 1761 he was requesting a school for "Negroe" children. Alexander Stewart is a very interesting man. So is John Carruthers Stanly who went from slave to slave owner.
In 1719 Stewart was designated as "Mr." but by 1761 he was Rev. In 1761 he was requesting a school for "Negroe" children. Alexander Stewart is a very interesting man. So is John Carruthers Stanly who went from slave to slave owner.
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