Seeking God:

My Life through the Years (Part No. 6)

Age 25

In our last installment, I was in the South-Eastern part of North America and was about to leave for the North-East. Please join me. Gather your American map and follow me!

As I mentioned earlier, my greatest desire was to love and serve God and this entailed following His will regardless of where this would take me and what was involved. Thus, I began to drive north from where I was. Since I was to the east of Richmond, Virginia, and west of Newport News, Virginia, I was near to American colonial landmarks. I stopped at Williamsburg to see what conditions were like in the early 1700s then I went on to see the excavations at Jamestown, the first permanent city of the Colonies.

After this, I headed north to Washington, D.C. Today it is one of the most evil and riotous cities of the country but in those days I don’t think that it had such a bad reputation. You may know this as the center of operations for the entire country, with many different sights and also with many places to see and consider. Of course, I viewed many of the nation’s landmarks—such as the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Monument, the Washington Monument and similar places. I can recall climbing the many stairs to the top of the Washington Monument and viewing the surrounding terrain. After all of this, I continued to the north and the city of Baltimore. This city had much history behind it but, as you know, today it is an exceedingly wicked place. In one sense, I was “free” from a job but, at the same time, I was limited financially and in other ways.

In New Jersey, God took me to the Atlantic coast and what a glorious sight this was! To think of the lapping water and the seemingly endless waves, what an amazing sight! The Atlantic Ocean was before me for thousands of miles! God displayed His beauty in many ways in this favorite place for tourists. After stopping at Atlantic City, I continued to the north and New York City!

Here I was, a small town traveler, driving far from home and entering the largest city in the country! Maybe this seems somewhat incongruous to you—and it was to me also! I did some walking around Manhatten and was able to peer down from the Empire State Building. This was before the Twin Towers (that later fell through the agency of the wicked Muslim terrorists). I had to think of the thousands of people walking those streets and needing salvation through Christ Jesus! How were they all to be reached? While there, I sought the Lord and was able to take in the sights of this august place!

Thanks to God, I was able to drive into Connecticut where I examined Mystic seaport, the old-time ship-building place, and then off to Rhode Island and the historic Providence. I suppose that this revealed the conservative beginnings of this city. As you are aware, so many of the institutions of higher learning were begun by “religious” people—such as Princeton University in Trenton, New Jersey, and Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Today they all are in the firm hands of evil secularists who are training their students into the elements of atheism and secularism!

In Massachusets, I was able to see Cape Cod and Cape Cod Bay, then Plymouth Rock, the traditional landing place of the Pilgrims (a sect of Calvinists from England). Of course, I was able to take a personal tour of the “Mother Church” of the cult, “The Church of Christ, Scientist,” in Boston. It is said that if one were to ask the guide to see Mary Glover Patterson Eddy, he would be told, “She is out!” I don’t know if this is true, but as you may know the cult does deny sin, the atoning death of Christ, and so many other basic Biblical teachings.

While in Boston and environs, I was able to see some of the historical places—such as William Cullen Bryant’s Waldon Pond and the tiny town of Concord (where much of the colonial history began). Of course, I was interested in  Gordon-Conwell College and Seminary (where Elisabeth Elliot              taught). I had read enough to know of some of the professors who taught there. Sadly, feminism and other unbiblical elements have entered the school along with the Calvinism.

As I worked my way to the north, I was able to see historical highlights of the early days of the country as well as modern places that displayed God’s greatness. In Maine (the state that is situated toward the North-East of the country) we came to Portland and Augusta (the capital). I recall sitting in my parked car in the midst of a small town in Maine while it rained outside. I was near a tiny village library in a very cozy place. Weather didn’t always cooperate but I was able in this way to be reminded of God’s involvement in the weather! Further, I was able to get in some much-needed reading.

We may think of this state being saturated with fishing, oysters, and perhaps hunting but if you will consult your map, you may be surprised with the vast woodlands to the north. So as you look out your window you may be able to see bears, deer, moose, and other wildlife. But it does have many rocky coastlands too.

Toward the west, we find the two states of New Hampshire and Vermont. I suppose that many of us assume that these states are filled with historical monuments, quaint little villages, and not many people. The mountains of these states are sights of interest—the Green Mountains and White Mountains. But we may wonder why many of the people are so politically liberal these days and I was told that liberals from New York moved north to find sweet little towns and stayed. I don’t know if this is true or not but the whole North-East does have a reputation of being liberal.

During my travels in Vermont, I hunted up Wait’s River that we may sometimes see on our calendars. This was an interesting visit for it does show us parts of the states that fill our imagination. Also, as you may know, those who are part of religions may belong to Congregational Churches that are so liberal. You may also be interested in the landscape because of the paintings of “Grandma Moses” (now deceased) and the farmlands that she knew.

As I traveled, of course, I wanted to see what the religious climate was, thus I visited the origins of various church groups. Further, I wanted to visit each of the state capitals and see their buildings and grounds. And especially, I was interested in knowing God and His will for my life. By the way, whenever I had sent any envelope out, I used a stamp with this verse: “Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” You may recognize this and we must admit that it does have a profound meaning. Is this something that we bear in mind at all times?

In the next installment we will continue our journey through a part of Canada and the central states of America. As you can see, I was trying to keep awake as much as possible and see as much of America as possible. What would God show me as I continued to travel?