"Never trust a cloud I always say."
-Eeyore
In this short animated film from Walt Disney, "tubby little cubby stuffed with fluff "
Winnie-the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood- Eeyore, Piglet,
Rabbit and Owl- learn about the seasons.
An unusual, yet fitting tribute to America's first leader, President George Washington,
celebrating the life and character of a great and good man on his 294th birthday.
Eulogy On Washington
(Closing Excerpt)
By General Henry Lee
Who is there that has forgotten the vales of Brandywine, the fields of
Germantown, or the plains of Monmouth? Everywhere present, wants of
every kind obstructing, numerous and valiant armies encountering, himself
a host, he assuaged our sufferings, limited our privations,
and upheld our tottering Republic.
Shall I display to you the spread of the fire of his soul by rehearsing the
praises of the hero of Saratoga, and his much-loved compeer of the Carolinas?
No; our Washington wears not borrowed glory. To Gates-to Greene, he gave
without the reserve of applause due to their eminent merit; and long may the
chiefs of Saratoga and of Eutaw receive the grateful respect of a grateful people.
Moving in his own orbit, he imparted heat and light to his most distant satellites;
and combining the physical and moral force of all within his sphere, with irresistible
weight he took his course, commiserating folly, disdaining vice, dismaying treason,
and invigorating despondency; until the auspicious hour arrived, when, united with
the intrepid forces of a potent and magnanimous ally, he brought to submission
Cornwallis, since the conqueror of India; thus finishing his long career of
military glory with a luster corresponding to his great name, and in this,
his last act of war, affixing the seal of fate to our nation's birth.
First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he
was second to none in humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious,
just, humane, temperate, sincere, uniform, dignified, and commanding, his
example was edifying to all around him, as were the effects of that example lasting.
To his equals, he was condescending; to his inferiors, kind; and to the dear object
of his affections, exemplarily tender. Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his
presence, and virtue always felt his fostering hand; the purity of his private
character gave effulgence to his public virtues.
His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his life. Although in extreme
pain, not a sigh, not a groan, escaped him; and with undisturbed serenity he
closed his well-spent life.
Such was the man America has lost!
Such was the man for whom our nation mourns!
General Henry Lee (1756-1818) was a member of the celebrated Lee family
of Virginia, a patriot, and Revolutionary War hero, who earned the nickname
of "Light-horse Larry" and was noted for his bravery, skill, and celerity.
He was a favorite of his commander General George Washington.
Lee later served as a delegate from the state of Virginia in Congress.
At the outbreak of the "Whisky Rebellion" in Pennsylvania in 1794,
President Washington sent General Lee with an army to suppress
the uprising. The insurgents surrendered without resistance.
In 1799, Lee was again a member of Congress. On the death
of his friend George Washington, the body appointed him to
compose the president's eulogy.
The following poem could have been written in memory of George Washington,
who not only understood the true meaning of the words, "public service" but the
admonishment given by Jesus Himself: "For to whomever more is given, of him
will be required, and to whom much is entrusted, more will be required of his hand."
(Luke 12:48)
GOD, give us men!
A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty, and private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.
"God Give Us Men"
Subtitled: "Wanted"
(1872)
Josiah Gilbert Holland
(1819-1881)
American novelist, essayist, poet
and spiritual mentor to the nation
in the years following the Civil War
"By and by, when the morning comes
All the saints of God are gathered home
We will tell the story how we've overcome,
And we'll understand it better by and by..."
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
(Psalm 34:18)
When we experience pain or face unexpected trials, out of hearts comes
one clear question: "Why?" In this classic teaching, Dr. Charles Stanley
challenges us to ask ourselves the most important question: "How will
we respond?" We may never know why, but we can still choose how
we will respond when trials come our way.
America's favorite TV bandleader Lawrence Welk and his talented
cast of musicians, singers, and dancers salute the great musical duo
of Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, with a special appearance by
Henry Mancini himself at the piano, performing the beautiful, Academy
award-winning, theme song from the movie, "The Days Of Wine And Roses".
Wholesome, family-friendly entertainment at its best
from the America of yesteryear!
"On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem,
and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great
valley, with half the mountain moving to the north and half to the south."
(Zechariah 14:4)
According to this report, the Temple Mount is collapsing! Could an
earthquake, along with the wanton destruction taking place at this
most holiest of places in Jerusalem be God's way of erasing layers
of defilement in preparation for the return of Messiah?
"He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool; and He scatters the frost like ashes..."
(Psalm 147:15-16)
O transient voyager of heaven!
O silent sign of winter skies!
What adverse wind thy sail has driven
To dungeons where a prisoner lies?
Methinks the hands that shut the sun
So sternly from this morning's brow
Might still their rebel task have done
And checked a thing so frail as thou.
They would have done it had they known
The talisman that dwelt in thee,
For all the suns that ever shone
Have never been so kind to me!
For many a week, and many a day
My heart was weighed with sinking gloom
When morning rose in mourning grey
And faintly lit my prison room.
But angel like, when I awoke,
Thy silvery form so soft and fair
Shining through darkness, sweetly spoke
Of cloudy skies and mountains bare;
The dearest to a mountaineer
Who, all life long has loved the snow
That crowned her native summits drear,
Better, than greenest plains below.
And voiceless, soulless, messenger
Thy presence waked a thrilling tone
That comforts me while thou art here
And will sustain when thou art gone.
"To A Wreath Of Snow"
(1837)
Emily Bronte
(1818-1848)
English writer and poetess
