After leaving my previous blog this morning, Dave shares this story in youth group tonight (for some reason, he does not read my blog... God is just speaking!!!)
Jonathan Edward's Legacy
By Mark Merrill
Have you thought about your legacy lately, in case you haven't, lets start with the basics: Webster's Dictionary says a legacy is something handed down from one who has gone before.
Jonathan Edwards was born in 1703 in East Windsor, Connecticut. He attended Yale University at age 13 and later went on to serve as president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton).
Edwards and his wife Sarah had 11 children. Despite a rigorous work schedule that included rising as early as 4:30 a.m. to read and write in his library, extensive travels, and endless administrative meetings, he always made time for his children. Indeed he committed to spending at least one hour a day with them. And what if he missed had a day because he was traveling? He diligently made up the hour when he returned.
Numerous books have been written about Edwards' life, his work, his influence on American history and his powerful professional legacy. But the legacy that Edwards would probably be most proud of is his legacy as a father.
The scholar Benjamin B. Warfield of Princeton has charted the 1,394 known descendants of Edwards. What he found was an incredible testament to Jonathan Edwards. Of his known descendants there were 13 college presidents, 65 college professors, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 pastors, 60 authors of prominence, 3 United States senators, 80 public servants in other capacities, including governors and ministers to foreign countries, and one vice president of the United States.
The story of Jonathan Edwards is an example of what some sociologists call the five-generation rule. How a parent raises their child-- the love they give, the values they teach, the emotional environment they offer, the education they provide-- influences not only their child, but also the four generations to follow. The example of Jonathan Edwards Shows just how rich that legacy can be.
I had to google this man (I wanted to know who the Vice President was)... I didn't find out who, but I did find this... http://www.ravenhill.org/edwards.htm
An article more about his spiritual legacy than anything else. He was a true man of God, and I believe wholeheartedly that the success of his descendants came from the Father that this father served!
WOW! I have a lot to look forward to!
1 comment:
This was really cool...I am passing it along to Carl; maybe, someday, Dave and Carl can do a tag-team sermon and use something like this as the basis!
Post a Comment