June 1997 Newsletter

Dear Family:

        You will notice that I have not used the blind copy for the
newsletter publication, but  included the Mailing list on the past two
newsletters. I have been attempting to establish lines of communication
within the family. That is the reason for my mailing the newsletter to
nearly two hundred families each month using snail mail and another 40 or
so over the internet. So it would seem proper for me to let each of you
have the mailing list. Hopefully you will make some contacts that will
continue to hold the wonerful tapestry of our family a little closer
together. Again I have repeated the directions to the picnic in the June
newsletter for those who have forgotten, are new, or misplaced the last one
- boy, am I pushy.


Much love,



Fred

JUNE 1997
?
Dear Family:

        Guess what is getting close. Yes, you are right, the Family Picnic
on Saturday July 12th, 1997. Yes, that is next month. Amazing, but I have
managed to mention it every month for the past year, and someone near and
dear last week asked me for the date. Aaarrrrggh-  just kidding. At any
rate, the gathering will be at the Lower Perkiomen Valley Park located in
Oaks PA.  I will include directions later in this newsletter. Let me take
the time to make one last plea to those who have  not made definite plans
on being there - please, please, please, please come! We have two nice
pavilions where we can display any genealogical information at one and just
eat and talk under the other. They have parking within a hundred feet of
our section as well as restrooms and drinking fountains.  There will be
plenty of food and drinks, so just come on out and say HELLO! I know that
there are several people who are bringing a covered dish, so there should
be an abundance of food for all. I am bringing some old photographs, and
some recent ones from the past two family outings. It would be great if you
could dig out some of your old photo's and share them with the rest of the
family.
        This has been a busy month on the genealogy front in trying to
respond to some of the correspondence received over the past few months.
With the data entry going full tilt, I put a few letters aside to dive into
at a later date: They were generally of the updating information type. I
still have a couple of dozen to handle, but it is more important that we
complete our picnic plans before getting back to them. I would like to also
take the time to thank all of you for taking the time to gather information
to help us to update the family records. I have said to others, I feel like
the Yarnall / Yarnell repository for family genealogical information. It
has really been a neat year. The May 1996 newsletter was the last one
before last year's picnic and at that time I listed a whopping 1133 names
of direct line relatives through Francis and Philip. Today we have 11,769
and counting. Yet, with all the information we presently have, there are
still many hundreds of your cousins out there who have not been connected
to the family tree and are not part of the count above. Each day when I
check my mail I hope that one of you will submit your own information that
will be the link for which we are searching. One wonderful Email message I
received was from Eileen (Wice) Stahl of "Sunny Alberta", Canada. This is
one of the letters that I must spend some time with to see what I can add
for Eileen's search and to include in our growing list of known family.
What was so exciting about  Eileen's correspondence was the trace of her
line through the female side of the line, with such prominent names as
Penrose, Merrick before Mary Penrose and spouse John Merrick moved to
Canada - but also part of the excitement for me was the mention of the
Pennsylvania community of Roaring Creek, Columbia County Pa. That is a
place that my family and I spent some time fishing and picnicking when the
children were young, and still a place held in fond memories of the fun we
had there. I have taken trout out of Roaring Creek and immediately cooked
them on a grill to the entire family's delight. Now after all these years,
to find out that part of our family lived in that area when this country
was still a baby is awesome. Once the picnic is over, I should be able to
spend the proper amount of time on Eileen's descendant chart.
?
        Well, on the proud Papa side of the coin, daughter Cathy Lynn
Yarnall and is now Cathy Lynn Flade. The wedding went off without a hitch -
no, they got hitched, there were not any problems.....weeelllllll, yes
there was the normal problems, but not the hitching kind - Oh never mind -
just kidding. Cathy was a beautiful bride as she walked down the aisle on
her wedding day. Cathy and Alan went to the British Virgin Islands for
their honeymoon, and hubby Alan reports that he would recommend the aisles
to anyone wishing to plan a honeymoon spot. He also said that he would go
back after he visits all the other wonderful places on his travel wish
list.

???
        Yes, that's right, three storks and one couple. Congratulations are
in order for Colleen and Robert Elsmere Yarnall, 3rd for the birth of Evan
Robert Yarnall at 8:52 AM on 5/26/97 weighing in at 2 lbs. 7 ozs. and 15
inches long, followed by Daniel James Yarnall clocking in at 8:53 AM and
weighing 3 lbs. 0 ozs and 15 inches long,  and in the show position,
Kathleen Elizabeth Yarnall at 8:54 AM at 1 lb. 11 ozs. and 14 inches long.
The children were born in the 30th week, and will have to spend several
weeks in the hospital until they are out of  any immediate danger. Mother
and father are doing fine. Colleen was released from the hospital, but we
are sure that the family will be spending more time at the hospital than at
home. Proud grandfather Robert Elsmere Yarnall Jr. and grandmother Edith
Eleanor (Scherfel) Yarnall, ask that our prayers go out for these little
ones, that the Lord will be with each one of them, and with their parents.

                                  ?
        Speaking of the British Isles, how about the British West Indies?
More specifically, Seven Mile Beach on the Grand Cayman where our cousin
Alexander took his leave over a year ago. Unfortunately he has not written
to let us know how he is enjoying his adventure. He could alleviate some of
our jealousy by giving us a description of his activities and whereabouts.
I have been sending him a newsletter these many months and keep hoping for
some word, but none has arrived. If anyone else has information about
Alexander, it would be much appreciated.

?

        We just received word that Gladys (Mill) Yarnall, widow of the late
Elsworth William Yarnall passed away in October of 1996. Dea MacKinnon
reports that her birthday was the same as Dea's, August 8th and that  she
was 94 years young at her passing. That would make her birth year 1902.
Gladys suffered a stroke on October 10th, 1996 and never came out of the
coma. Dea said that she adored her and has missed her dearly.  While we
know they go to a better place, we still try to keep them with us because
of our love and sense of loss. Our prayers go out to Dea and her father
Malcolm Carver Yarnall, the brother of Gladys, as well as the rest of the
family.
        Another notice of a loss comes to us from Donald and Bernice
Yarnall in Haines City Florida.
        Ralph I. Yarnell, minister and nursing home administrator from
Haines city, died Friday (May 9, 1997) at his home. he was 82. Born in Snow
Shoe PA., on March 4, 1915, he moved to Haines City from Marietta, Ohio,
six years ago. He was a baker at Handy Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio,
later working for Lawson Dairy. he attended Muskingum College in New
Concord, Ohio, and he received a minister's license in Guernsey County Ohio
in 1944. He founded several Evangelical United Brethren churches in Ohio
and helped establish more than 20 schools there. he founded Grace Gospel
Church in Marietta after resigning from the EUB church and was ordained in
1949 as its minister. From the auditorium of the church, he conducted a
daily radio program, "Gems of Grace," on radio station WMOA during the mid
1950's. He was president of the Ohio American Council of Christian
Churches, moving in 1958 to Montclair, N. J., to become the General
Secretary of the American council of Christian Churches.
        Rev. Yarnell traveled extensively, speaking in 30 different
countries and visiting five continents. He was a licensed nursing home
administrator, having owned and operated the Christian Anchorage Nursing
and Retirement Homes for 20 years before selling them in 1983. For 23
years, he was president of Independent Faith Mission, headquartered in
Greensboro, N. C.. He wrote five books and 12 gospel tracts. He and his
wife moved to Haines City in 1991. He was a member of Landmark Baptist
Church, where he wrote Sunday School lessons for the adult class for
several years. Even in retirement he continued to speak at chapel services
a Landmark Christian School and College, church camp, nursing homes, jail
services and at Landmark Retirement Village. He was an active member of the
Village Bowlers and participated in the Polk County Senior Olympics,
winning several silver and bronze medals. He was preceded in death by his
sisters, Eleanor Stephens and Helen Guthrie. He is survived by his wife,
Hilda K. Yarnell, Haines City; son, Ralph I. Yarnell Jr., Coopersburg, Pa.;
daughter, Ruth Heidron, Marietta; sister, Mary E. Hood, Tallmadge, Ohio;
and seven grandchildren.
        We pray  that the joy of the time these cousins and their families
had together in this life will only be a foretaste to the joy beyond.

                                          ?
        From the upraised hands in praise corner, we have "Lines to the
memory of Hannah Yarnall (late wife of Peter Yarnall,) who departed this
life, April 11th 1795, in the 31st year of her age."  [From 1816 Edition of
the Sharpless genealogy, p. 122.]

Flown is a spirit to the realms above,
Where holy souls breathe forth in strains of love:
Her gentle manners, joined to pious trust,
              Are sweet memento's, now she's laid in dust.
Short was her warning, while her mind, serene,
With passive fortitude endur'd the scene.
Tho' fondest ties, which form our social chain
Compos'd its links on this terrestrial plain:---
Tho' daughter, mother, sister, friend, and wife,
Were strong attractions to allure to life;
With mild obedience she resign'd them all;
Nobly attentive to a greater call.
her lively faith presented brighter views,
         Than what the earth-born worldling, keen pursues.
Finite at best, each glitt'ring bauble flies,
And bursts the bubble, when the mortal dies.
Then deep eternity succeeds to time,
All-wondrous rapture, soaring and sublime.
One Universal church shall there extend,
And virtuous spirits, in true homage, bend
Before the splendors of Jehovah's throne,
Where sin and sorrow are alike unknown.
No vain distinction bind: no narrow sects:
One general shepherd, one pure flock protects.
One font of love, beams forth the glorious light,
Perpetual day dispels the gloom of night.
Nor sun nor moon with warning lustre fades,
But one resplendent blaze, the whole pervades.
Another Hero
        There are hero's in different walks of life; Statesmen, diplomats,
educators, housewives, husbands. As I receive or locate information about
members of the family, that can truly be considered as hero's, I  pass it
on to Paul Robert Yarnall to be used in the Genealogy section of his home
page. Paul's home page address is  http://www.cityscope.net/~pry. If you
have any information on someone in the family that you consider a hero,
please write to me about that person and it will be considered for a
subsequent newsletter. One of our hero cousins is Robert James Yarnall.
Robert James traces his line back to Francis as follows: (9) Robert James
Yarnall, (8) Leo James Yarnall, (7) James Mordecai Sprigg Yarnall, (6)
Peter Yarnall, (5) Mordecai Yarnall, (4) Peter Yarnall, (3) Mordecai
Yarnall Jr., (2) Mordecai Yarnall, (1) Francis Yarnall.
        Robert James Yarnall was awarded a commendation from W.F. Halsey,
Admiral, U.S. Navy, U. S. Navy, U.S. Pacific Fleet during his service in
the South Pacific in World War II where he served as an Aviation
Machinist's Mate, 3rd class, on a PBY aircraft The citation read: "For
skillful and effective performance of duty while serving as a member of the
crew of a PBY airplane during an engagement with Japanese naval forces in
the Solomon Islands area on October 27, 1943. YARNELL participated in a
daring dive-bombing attack through intense anti-aircraft fire, on a
Japanese heavy cruiser. Two direct hits and two near misses were obtained,
with the result that the enemy cruiser was badly damaged and possibly sunk.
His meritorious conduct contributed greatly to the success for the attack."
        Robert James Yarnall was also awarded the Navy commendation Medal
by John B. Connally, Secretary of the Navy, during his service as a chief
Aviation Machinist's Mate, U.S. Navy. The citation read: "For meritorious
service from 14 to 30 December 1959 in connection with Operation DEEP
FREEZE 60 in the Antarctic, while serving on board Air Development Squadron
SIX (VX-6). As Crew Chief of a ski-equipped aircraft, YARNALL participated
in eighteen hazardous flights from Byrd Station, Antarctica in the conduct
of an aerial seismic and geological traverse. With his heavily loaded
aircraft taking off and landing on unprepared, treacherous snow surfaces,
he braved white-outs, blizzards, icing, and other severe cold-weather
conditions to assist in completing the entire series of flights.
Consistently maintaining his aircraft in a state of readiness, YARNALL
contributed materially to the success of the airborne seismic and
geological traverse in the Antarctic. His technical skill, courage, and
devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United
States Naval Service."
                               ?
        We have requested assistance in locating information on Eli
Yarnall, Abraham Yarnall and this past month, Samuel Yarnall. This month
our search is for the links for connecting the family of Raymond Victor
Yarnall to Philip or Francis.  Raymond traces his lineage back to Harry
Hebron Yarnall b. 1896 d. 1961 m. Evelyn (Haughey) b. 1906 d. 1954. Harry
had two brothers and a sister: Charles Yarnall, Web Yarnall who married
Bertha (?), and May (Yarnall) Dunn. Raymond states that Web did not have
any children, and May had a daughter. I would appreciate any information
that anyone out there has on this part of the family. Let me also take this
opportunity to encourage you to send information about your immediate part
of the family if you have not already submitted the information. It is
amazing how a seemingly insignificant piece of information can open the
door for someone that is desperately searching for their roots.
                                   ?
        For those of you who may have missed the picnic directions last
month, I am repeating them below
        Boy, you should see this hamburger in person. In fact, if you show
up at the Yarnall / Yarnell Family  picnic on July 12, 1997, you will be
able to do just that! Since the time is getting close, let me take the time
to give you some additional information and directions to the picnic
grounds.. Just a reminder to all those people who did not make it last year
because of the weather - imagine, they let hurricane Bertha dictate their
activities on that day (just kidding), we would very much like to see
everyone this year.
Directions to Picnic Grounds:
Lower Perkiomen Valley Park
Phone # 1-610-666-5371
>From Philadelphia - Northeast and West
        Route 1 to Route 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) - West Route 76 to
Route 202 (King of Prussia) South - 202 South to 422 West (bypass) - Take
the 422 bypass West from King of Prussia. Exit at the sign for Oaks, and at
the bottom of the ramp is a stop light. Take a right at the light and look
for the park entrance on your right. The rest should be fairly clear in the
map. I hope that your phone calls were productive. Please let me know if
there is any problem in understanding these directions.

>From Philadelphia - Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls
        West Route 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) to Route 202 (King of
Prussia) South - 202 South to 422 West (bypass) - Take the 422 bypass West
from King of Prussia. Exit at the sign for Oaks, and at the bottom of the
ramp is a stop light. Take a right at the light and look for the park
entrance on your right. The rest should be fairly clear in the map.

>From Philadelphia - Far Northeast and Suburbs
        PA Turnpike West to King of Prussia exit - Exit to Route 202 South
- Very short distance to 422 West (bypass) - Take the 422 bypass West from
King of Prussia. Exit at the sign for Oaks, and at the bottom of the ramp
is a stop light. Take a right at the light and look for the park entrance on
your right. The rest should be fairly clear in the map.

From New Jersey
        Follow the directions above for either the Turnpike or Route 76
(Expressway).

From Western PA - Pittsburgh
        PA Turnpike West to King of Prussia -  Exit to Route 202 South -
Very short distance to 422 West (bypass) - Take the 422 bypass West from
King of Prussia. Exit at the sign for "Oaks", and at the bottom of the ramp
is a stop light. Take a right at the light and look for the park entrance
on your right. The rest should be fairly clear in the map.
Things to do at picnic:
If you are concerned, and aren't sure if we have everything together, don't
worry about it, you can rest assured that we don't, and are flying by the
seat of our pants. That's why we need you, to straighten things out.

        If you have a PA fishing license, the Perkiomen Creek is within 100
yards of picnic area, and has been stocked with trout. There will be quoits
(Quates in Philly); Volley ball; Sitting and eating - a big favorite;
Sitting and talking - another favorite;  Massive picture taking, so bring
your camera in self defense; Swings and seesaws for the kids; Standing and
eating - another biggie.

?              ?
?       Now for the good part, what to bring to the picnic. I will have Hot
Dogs and Hamburgers for everyone,  Linford Yarnall will be supplying soft
drinks, and Robert and Edith Yarnall will be supplying gaiter aid and
orange drink. I do encourage anyone that has a favorite covered dish recipe
to bring along their creation for the family table. The family table is
where we put all those goodies that people are so anxious to share, and it
is also the place where you will most likely find me - just kidding. This
year, based on all the comments I have been hearing, I could be hard
pressed to have enough Hot dogs and burgers to go around, and that will be
great. Last year, after Big Bertha held down attendance,  I was eating
hamburgers through December - just kidding again.  However, if a few people
bring a covered dish, that will make up for any extra people that I hope
will show up. Also, please remember, Alcoholic beverages are not permitted
in the park.
        For the past two months we mentioned that Charles Yarnall would
like to make arrangements at a local campground prior to the picnic and
take the opportunity to meet other members of the family who enjoy camping.
Charles can be reached by Email at cyarnall@miworld.net or by phone at
1-301-689-1784, and by snail mail, address your correspondence to: Charles
F. Yarnall, 16 Mount Pleasant Street, Frostburg, Maryland 21532.  If you
are not sure if you will be able to make the trip, contact him anyway, just
in case the spirit moves you to attend, you will be prepared, and Charles
will have some hope of company.
        Again this month we are adding Linford Yarnall's name as a contact
person for meeting at a Hotel prior to the picnic. We are listing the
Hotels in the King of Prussia and Valley Forge area. The Hotels of King of
Prussia are Located approximately ten minutes from the picnic grounds. I
know that Linford would like to have the opportunity to spend some time
with those planning to stay at one of the Hotels prior to the picnic.
Linford H. Yarnall can be reached by snail mail at PO Box 476, 1929 Union
Valley Road, Hewitt NJ 07421, by phone at 1-201-728-2020, or by Fax at
1-201-728-4545.
                                 ?
        Since Linford never learned the Military truism, "Never Volunteer",
it would seem fitting that we make him the Family Circle Person of the
Month. What better way than to have him tell us a little bit about himself.
        Linford Herbert Yarnall: I was born the second child of four from
the union of Linford Theodore Yarnall and Adeline Edna Sweet on August 6,
1942, at Darby Pennsylvania. During the majority of my youth, I resided at
540 Forrest Avenue, Drexel Hill, Pa. (still the home of my mother). In the
early years of my life, I developed  commercial business skills in
performing lawn maintenance and landscaping activities. During the winter
months, sidewalks were always available to be shoveled, when it snowed. My
early education was at the Drexel Hill School, from which I graduated on
June 18, 1954. The next year I attended the Upper Darby High School, but
because of a large student body was transferred to the Upper Darby High
School, at School Lane and Lansdowne Avenue. And the following year wherein
a junior high unit was created. The baby boomers were already a problem! A
total of five years were therefore spent at this particular school,
graduating June 15, 1960. After enjoying the summer off - at least I think
I enjoyed it, I then enlisted in the United States Army on October 31, 1960
during which period my education continued with a primary military
occupational status (MOS) 624/radar operator. I as well took up courses
with the United States Armed Force Institute while in the Army. My military
rank was Specialist Fourth Class. I visited many states and countries
during my three year tour of duty.
        After leaving the military I joined a consulting firm in
Philadelphia, Morton Lerner Associates, where I was a drafts person. I
departed this position in January of 1964 and entered employment with Gulf
Oil Corporation on February 3, 1964 working in numerous departments until
relocation to north New Jersey as a Construction and Maintenance Engineer
for Gulf.
        In October 10, 1964 I married Caroline Evelyn Foster and from our
union, four children are born, Deborah Lin Yarnall,  January 18, 1966;
Corinne Elise Yarnall, December 4, 1967; Gary Arliss Yarnall, June 8, 1970;
and Jennifer Leigh Yarnall, March 16, 1973. All children currently reside
in New Jersey.
        Through a resultant sale of Gulf Oil Corporation to Chevron
Corporation, supposedly a friendly merger, I continued on with Chevron for
approximately one year. Chevron elected to place all assets in ten
northeasterly states up for sale and as an outcome all assets were sold to
Cumberland Farms. I was severed from employment from Chevron/Gulf with
thousands of others on June 30, 1986, after 22 years and 4 months of
dedicated service. I know only too well the disadvantages of corporate
downsizing and needless to say, this was a great blow to me personally, and
to my career. I continued to push forward as best as I could, turning
Llanray Company, Inc. from a part time business into that of a full time
profession. And so for the second time in my life I had to act as if I were
still 21 years of age. Llanray Company, Inc. is principally a services
organization working with petroleum storage and handling equipment and
installations. During the period of 1986 through 1992, things looked
promising. However the years 1993 through 1997 have not been favorable due
to the economy, and changes of major oil company directions, and
implementation of regulatory time frames that have altered the general
timing of things. You know government intervention!
        Thank God I have been permitted to achieve the advancement of my
children's education without regret. Deborah has a total of three children,
Corinne works for Platinum Software (mostly financial software) in Teaneck,
N.J., Gary has his degree in Marine Biology from Kutztown University and is
looking for employment in his current field and currently resides in
Kinnelon, N. J.. Daughter Jennifer has an executive secretary's position in
Morristown, N. J. and resides in Kinnelon also. Gary's first anniversary is
coming up on June 15th, and its hard to fathom the pace of life.
        As my primary hobby, or labor of love, I have been involved in
genealogical pursuits for close to 30 years. Such involvement tell us a lot
about ourselves, our forefathers and the directions we need to take as we
approach the terminus of our earthly existence. To this end with vigor I
work, remembering it's the distance you go that determines the strides you
take.

        Thank you Lin for painting that picture of yourself for the rest of
the families benefit. I also want to thank Lin for the thoughtful, and
unselfish sharing of information that has been his habit these many years.
Keep up the great work.
                                 ?
        Since this is the only applause that these lines are going to get,
I don't feel a bit bad about clapping for myself. At any rate, the
following are headlines that have appeared in various newspapers across the
country. It is amazing how different something innocent can read without
the proper punctuations. Of course, some of my favorites have to do with
the "experts".
1. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says.
2. Include your Children when Baking Cookies.
3. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers.
4. Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted.
5. Iraqi Head Seeks Arms.

                         ?
        Now some notes from our past. We have so much history in our past,
I will try to list some of them as I come across them. I am writing to each
of you through this newsletter, and I hope that you will send a return
letter with your family information and any little stories that you would
like to share with the rest of the family. Your story  can be a move that
your family made from one community to another, or from one state to
another. Our ancestors were very willing to move form place to place;
however in those days it would have been by covered wagon. From Harry H.
Yarnell and Ruth Brookman Yarnell's, A partial Genealogy of the name
Yarnall / Yarnell 1683 to 1970, we read of one of these pioneers, Daniel
Yarnell. Daniel left Pennsylvania after the Revolutionary War and moved to
North Carolina. Later he removed with his family to Tennessee and about the
year 1809 settled in Knox County, ten miles east of Knoxville, where he
spent the remainder of his life. In the census of North Carolina and then
of Tennessee the name was spelled Yarnell. Daniel died on October 22, 1819
in Knox County  Tennessee and is buried on the Yarnell homestead, ten miles
east of Knoxville. Daniel made the following disposition of his estate:
        "I Daniel Yarnell, Sr., give to my grand-daughter, Manervy Yarnell,
all my lands excepting about forty acres (it being NE corner of my present
dwelling place), which was laid off some years ago by Charles Con for Joel
Yarnell, which he failed to take.
        To my grand-daughter, Jinny Yarnell, daughter of my son Mordecai
Yarnell, my man, Huy.
        To my son Daniel Yarnell, Jr. a note of hand I hold on him for the
sum of $243.00.
        To my son, Aaron Yarnell, one dollar.
        My executors are to sell and dispose of all my other estate in the
following manner, after all legal claims are paid:
        To my son, Joseph Yarnell, and his heirs two-thirds of the balance
arising from said sale.
        The remaining third to go to my son, Stephen Yarnell.
        I hereby nominate and appoint my sons, Mordecai and Daniel Yarnell
executors, of this, my last will and testament."
                (signed) Daniel Yarnell"
Witnesses: Richard Chenowith, Soloman N. Hargis, Peter Reagan, Jonathan
Ayres. Proven first Monday in January, 1820, Charles McClung, clerk."
                        ?
        Each month we have enjoyed the writings from "The Rebirth of
America" and I have prefaced the article with comments for the present to
reflect on the past. It usually listed some despicable act that had just
occurred to lead into the story. This month we have several gang related
killings. In two separate instances, cars with the motor running, have been
found on our city streets, with  two assassinated occupants . I have been
placing most of the blame on our court system that has consistently passed
laws that fly in the face of our family values. The latest from our state
of Pennsylvania comes from a Senate News Brief that I receive, and I quote:
"The Ridge Administration says it will appeal a Commonwealth Court decision
that struck down a Pennsylvania law allowing children to testify by
videotape or closed circuit television in certain court cases, such as
sexual abuse cases. Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer
(R-Blair) criticized the ruling and pointed out that the Constitutional
amendment would bring Pennsylvania in line with the more than 40 states
that allow such testimony and with what the U.S. Supreme Court has said is
an acceptable practice. The amendment was sponsored by Senator Stewart
Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), twice passed the General Assembly, and was
approved by state voters in November. It has been approved by the Senate,
approved by the voters in this state, approved by 40 other states, and
still we have a Judge that is attempting to play God. But I don't have to
list the happenings from the Pennsylvania Senate, or from our city streets
last night or yesterday afternoon to highlight the problems of the present,
all you have to do is to reflect on what is happening in your section of
the woods. Not pretty is it? I read where the college students are using
the parties as a place to meet a one-night-stand, and that they offer in
explanation that they have too much happening at this point in their lives
to take on a commitment. I would be very interested in hearing from some of
our cousins out there with first hand knowledge  about the college party
scene. What is there in our culture today, or what is missing that
Judeo-Christian morals are ignored. It was not always that way in this
land. From The Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation's "The Rebirth of America," we
read, "In no other place in the United States are there so many, and such
varied official evidences of deep and abiding faith in God on the part of
Governments as there are in Washington."--Senator Robert Byrd, June 25,
1952. The Supreme court had just declared prayer in the schools
unconstitutional. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, a bible teacher and
respected member of the U. S. Legislature, was so moved by the disastrous
decision that two days later he delivered an address to his colleagues in
Congress reminding them of the Christian Symbolism throughout their own
city. He verbally escorted them to the Library of Congress, the Washington
Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Supreme Court,
and other landmarks. Then he concluded: "Inasmuch as our greatest leaders
have shown no doubt about God's proper place in the American birthright,
can we, in our day, dare do less? A sampling of these follow:
                        ?
The Capitol
Every session of the House and the Senate begins with prayer. Each house
has its own chaplain. The Eighty-third Congress set aside a small room in
the Capitol, just off the rotunda, for the private prayer and meditation of
members of Congress. The room is always open when Congress is in session,
but it is not open to the public. The room's focal point is a stained glass
window showing George Washington kneeling in prayer. Behind him is etched
these words from Psalm 16:1 "Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my
trust." Inside the rotunda is a picture of the Pilgrims about to embark
from Holland on the sister ship of the Mayflower, the Speedwell. The ship's
revered chaplain, Brewster, who later joined the Mayflower, has open on his
lap the Bible. Very clear are the words, "the New Testament according to
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." On the sail is the motto of the
Pilgrims, "In God We Trust, › God With Us." The phrase, "In God We Trust,"
appears opposite the President of the Senate, who is the Vice President of
the United States. The same phrase, in large words inscribed in the marble,
backdrops the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
                                    ?
                     The Supreme Court
        Above the head of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are the
Ten Commandments, with the great American eagle protecting them. Moses is
included among the great lawgivers in Herman A. MacNeil's marble sculpture
group on the east front. The crier who opens each session closes with the
words, "God save the United States and the Honorable Court."
                           ?
        The Washington Monument
        Engraved on the metal cap on the top of the Washington Monument are
the words: "Praise be to God." Lining the walls of the stairwell are such
biblical phrases as "Search the Scriptures," "Train up a child in the way
he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
              The Library of Congress
        Numerous quotations from Scripture can be found within its walls.
One reminds each American of his responsibility to his Maker: "What doth
the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and love mercy and walk humbly
with thy God" (Micah 6:8) Another in the lawmakers's library preserves the
Psalmist's acknowledgment that all nature reflects the order and beauty of
the Creator. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament
showeth His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1) And still another reference: "The light
shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (John 1:5).
                ?
                Lincoln Memorial
        Millions have stood in the Lincoln Memorial and gazed up at the
statue of the great Abraham Lincoln. The sculptor who chiseled the features
of Lincoln in granite all but seems to make Lincoln speak his own words
inscribed into the walls. "...That this Nation, under God, shall have a new
birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from the earth." At the opposite end, on the north
wall, his Second Inaugural Address alludes to  "God," the
"Bible,""providence," "the Almighty," and "divine attributes." It then
continues: "As was said 3000 years ago, so it still must be said, "The
judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.' "
                       ?\
                Jefferson Memorial
        On the south banks of Washington's Tidal Basin, Thomas Jefferson
still speaks: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a
nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are
the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is
just, that his justice cannot sleep forever." Senator Byrd cites these
words of Jefferson as "a forceful and explicit warning that to remove God
from this country will destroy it."
      A Nation Established: A Conclusion.
        In his stirring anthem to the solidity of the Christian faith,
George Chapman penned the now-familiar words, "How firm a foundation, ye
saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!" And how
appropriate are these words when correlated to America's glorious
heritage.This nation, without reasonable doubt, was established on the firm
foundation of Scripture. Our forefathers, brilliant as they were, openly
acknowledged the true genius behind the new system to be the eternal
principles of God's Word. The most fundamental concepts of the republic
find their roots in the Bible. From the beginning, the basis for law and
government in American society was decidedly biblical. What's more, the new
land was forged through the energy of the Judeo-Christian work ethic. The
United States in her first century of existence knew the stinging reality
of conflict. There were wars, assassinations, injustices, catastrophes, and
plagues of disease. But the your nation endured, for its moral fabric had
been woven with the durable threads of Scriptural truth. Societal ills,
like slavery, were ultimately recognized for what they were: violations of
God's standard. The record of the establishment of America bears the clear
stamp of Christian influence. The impact of the Gospel is evident in the
leaders chosen, the laws written, and sweeping changes brought about
through the transforming power of Christ in individual lives and corporate
experience. America was not formed a nation apart from God, but a nation
under God.

                                Much Love,



                                Fred




John 14:27   Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the
world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid.