Enduring Misunderstanding

     Just yesterday we were discussing William Seward.  And then, this   morning my history of the day lesson, which I receive each morning in my email box, informed me that on this day in 1861, William Seward was named secretary of state to Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, I had spent some time teaching about the difference between pragmatists and idealists, and in the little article this morning, it said, "Seward became  known as a radical, belying his pragmatic tendencies." Funny...since I don't believe in coincidences, and this seemed highly coincidental if such things existed, I decided God was talking to me through the message of William Seward. Since I did  nothing else but shiver in the damp cold house while the dogs slept yesterday, I have little else to talk about anyway.

     Seward is one of those figures in history that we all know one thing about, and one thing only-- "Seward's Folly". We all know that Seward talked our nation into buying Alaska from Russia (and if you don't know it, better  memorize it if you intend to take the AP History exam).

He paid some ridiculously low amount, the equivalent of something like 3 cents an acre, but there are alot of acres in Alaska, and he was soundly lambasted for the purchase. But Seward was also a rabid abolitionist, and fought hard to bring about the end of slavery. When Lincoln was shot, Seward was stabbed in his bed, and almost died. I had completely forgotten, or perhaps, never known that. Seward lived, and went on ultimately to his ridiculed, but in the end, prescient purchase of Alaska. Here was a man, a great man, who lived a full and seemingly morally directed life, made one of the wisest decisions of the time in the face of outrage and derision, and died not knowing he would be vindicated, or that he would be a question one day on the AP History exam. It just doesn't seem fair.

     I don't know what Seward's religious beliefs were, but it certainly sounds like he was a Christian. He spoke often of a "higher authority than the constitution" as his reasoning for abolishing states' rights to hold slaves. At any rate, I hope he is in heaven and getting daily updates on our country. I hope an angel is right now discussing how blessed our nation was that Seward once lived and worked to benefit his country.

     "William. Are you feeling glum again? Honestly Willy, this is heaven. Glum is just not appropriate here."

     "I know, I know." He quietly hid the paper he was working on behind his back.

     "Willy, what is that?"

     Sheepishly,he handed the sheet to the angel. On it in sparkling gold stardust was written, "It was not folly."

     "William, I told you, they know that now. They have found all kinds of resources in Alaska no one anticipated."

     "Besides just a giant refrigerator?"

    "Yes of course, Willy, we have gone over this. They consider you a genius of foresight, now."

     "You know I was right about slavery too."

     "Yes, you were. They know that now too."

     "And I was as good as Lincoln."

     "Now Willy, remember, pride is the downfall of all mankind. We left that kind of thinking on earth."

     "It is hard to have spent a lifetime struggling for what you know is right, and have everyone around you think you are a loony goony."

     "Do we think you are a loony goony up here?"

     "Well no...."

     "And how long will you be here...?  And compare that with how long you were down there."

     "Eternity... and thank God, just a blink of an eye in that ungrateful country down there."

     "That was God's plan all along, William. Persevere upholding what you know to be true and right in your heart, submit to the only authority that matters ultimately, the highest authority, and try not to succumb to despair when your life is maligned by those who don't understand."

     "Thank you, dear Angel, I have one little concern left."

     The Angel fondly patted William's back, "Yes, dear saint?"

     "You know that planet out there...the one they think is just a frozen block of ice, of no use to anyone? Could I go back long enough to buy it? They are  really messing up the earth right now and I think it would be a good idea...."

     "William, just enjoy eternal peace. God will take care of Earth now."

Psalm 123:4 NIV

We have endured no end

of ridicule from the arrogant,

of contempt from the proud.

Isaiah 37:17-20 NIV

Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. "It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God."