In the Spirit of Columbus and Captain Cook
Journal 2005 04 07
In the Spirit of Columbus and Captain Cook
April 7 fell on a Sunday in 1805. At 4:00pm the keelboat filled with items the Corps of Discovery had collected to this point is released into the power of the Missouri River to be carried to St. Louis and onto its final destination in Washington DC. In addition to the artifacts, maps and other items, two Indian chiefs accompany the keelboat to at least St. Louis with the intention of going on to meet the “Great Father” Jefferson.
At the same time the keelboat is released to the power of the Missouri, Clark commands the two pirogues and six canoes to proceed on up the Missouri. Lewis, as is his common custom, chooses to walk with his Newfoundland dog, Seamen, along the shore.
With little fanfare, little remorse and great anticipation the Corps of Discovery departs their winter home at Fort Mandan.
Lewis, with great flourish, captures the mind and spirits of the men as they resume the push westward.
“Having on this day at 4. P.M. completed every arrangement necessary for our departure, we dismissed the barge and crew with orders to return without loss of time to St. Louis,…
At the same moment the barge departed from Fort Mandan, Captain Clark embarked with our party and proceeded up the River. As I had used no exercise for several weeks, I determined to walk on shore as far as our encampment of this evening.
Our vessels consisted of six small canoes, and two large pirogues. This little fleet altho’ not quite so respectable as those of Columbus and Capt. Cook, were still viewed by us with as much pleasure as those deservedly famed adventurers ever beheld theirs; and I dare say with quite as much anxiety for their safety and preservation. We were now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civilized man had never trodden, the good or evil it had in store for us was for experiment yet to determine, and the little vessels contained every article by which we were to expect to subsist or defend ourselves. However, as the state of mind in which we are, generally gives the colouring of events, when the imagination is suffered to wander into futurity, the picture which now presented itself to me was a most pleasing one. Entertaining as I do, the most confident hope of succeeding in a voyage which had formed a darling project of mine for the last ten years, I could but esteem this moment of my departure as among the most happy of my life. The party are in excellent health and sperits, zealously attached to the enterprise, and anxious to proceed; not a whisper of murmur or discontent to be heard among them, but all act in unison, and with the most perfict harmony. Capt. Clark myself the two Interpretters and the woman and child sleep in a tent of dressed skins, this tent is in the Indian stile,…”
Do you see yourself moving with the pleasure and purpose of Columbus or Captain Cook? More specifically, do you see yourself moving in the manner and pleasure of Jesus, Moses, Aaron, Elijah, Daniel, Nehemiah, David, Amos, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul or any other great disciple of the Living God? Can you draw inspiration from Mother Theresa, Billy Graham or Chuck Colson? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to give you inspiration. He will.
Finally, today, are you prepared to depart in the spirit and manner of your calling? If the Corps of Discovery had not done the work to cut trees and make canoes they could not have loaded them and set out on this great day. Prepare to proceed. He has called you move on.
In the Spirit of Columbus and Captain Cook
April 7 fell on a Sunday in 1805. At 4:00pm the keelboat filled with items the Corps of Discovery had collected to this point is released into the power of the Missouri River to be carried to St. Louis and onto its final destination in Washington DC. In addition to the artifacts, maps and other items, two Indian chiefs accompany the keelboat to at least St. Louis with the intention of going on to meet the “Great Father” Jefferson.
At the same time the keelboat is released to the power of the Missouri, Clark commands the two pirogues and six canoes to proceed on up the Missouri. Lewis, as is his common custom, chooses to walk with his Newfoundland dog, Seamen, along the shore.
With little fanfare, little remorse and great anticipation the Corps of Discovery departs their winter home at Fort Mandan.
Lewis, with great flourish, captures the mind and spirits of the men as they resume the push westward.
“Having on this day at 4. P.M. completed every arrangement necessary for our departure, we dismissed the barge and crew with orders to return without loss of time to St. Louis,…
At the same moment the barge departed from Fort Mandan, Captain Clark embarked with our party and proceeded up the River. As I had used no exercise for several weeks, I determined to walk on shore as far as our encampment of this evening.
Our vessels consisted of six small canoes, and two large pirogues. This little fleet altho’ not quite so respectable as those of Columbus and Capt. Cook, were still viewed by us with as much pleasure as those deservedly famed adventurers ever beheld theirs; and I dare say with quite as much anxiety for their safety and preservation. We were now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civilized man had never trodden, the good or evil it had in store for us was for experiment yet to determine, and the little vessels contained every article by which we were to expect to subsist or defend ourselves. However, as the state of mind in which we are, generally gives the colouring of events, when the imagination is suffered to wander into futurity, the picture which now presented itself to me was a most pleasing one. Entertaining as I do, the most confident hope of succeeding in a voyage which had formed a darling project of mine for the last ten years, I could but esteem this moment of my departure as among the most happy of my life. The party are in excellent health and sperits, zealously attached to the enterprise, and anxious to proceed; not a whisper of murmur or discontent to be heard among them, but all act in unison, and with the most perfict harmony. Capt. Clark myself the two Interpretters and the woman and child sleep in a tent of dressed skins, this tent is in the Indian stile,…”
Do you see yourself moving with the pleasure and purpose of Columbus or Captain Cook? More specifically, do you see yourself moving in the manner and pleasure of Jesus, Moses, Aaron, Elijah, Daniel, Nehemiah, David, Amos, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul or any other great disciple of the Living God? Can you draw inspiration from Mother Theresa, Billy Graham or Chuck Colson? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to give you inspiration. He will.
Finally, today, are you prepared to depart in the spirit and manner of your calling? If the Corps of Discovery had not done the work to cut trees and make canoes they could not have loaded them and set out on this great day. Prepare to proceed. He has called you move on.
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 8:41 PM
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