Happy Birthday, Meriwether Lewis!
Journal 2005 08 18
Happy Birthday, Meriwether Lewis!
Captain Lewis is thirty-one years old this day and celebrates it with deep reflection worthy of a theologian. Lewis more mirrors his mentor and leader, Thomas Jefferson, than he does the great preachers of his day. His thoughts, however, are worthy of notice by any man striving to live beyond the muck and mire that attempt to hold our souls to existence instead of the fulfillment of aspiration.
Lewis begins his day trading for three horses. He feels as though he got a bargain. Three knives, a uniform coat, some leggings and handkerchiefs for three good horses. A bargain in the United States. Less than twenty dollars of value. He will become a more shrewd trader as time goes on and his store of trading goods dwindles. Today, he is satisfied with his transaction.
Lewis’ words, “This day I completed my thirty first year, and conceived that I had in all human probability now existed about half the period which I am to remain in this Sublunary world. I reflected that I had as yet done but little, very little, indeed, to further the happiness of the human race or to advance the information of the succeeding generation. I viewed with regret the many hours I have spent in indolence, and now soarly feel the want of that information which those hours would have given me had they been judiciously expended. but since they are past and cannot be recalled, I dash from me the gloomy thought, and resolved in future, to redouble my exertions and at least indeavour to promote those two primary objects of human existence, by giving them the aid of that portion of talents which nature and fortune have bestoed on me; or in future, to live for mankind, as I have heretofore lived for myself.
I hope to expand on this principle later, but suffice it for now to say that I believe when anyone experiences great accomplishment they see that they could have accomplished even more. They find they had no need to be fearful of the effort. We must risk greatly.
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.” Similar words spoken by a great expeditionary almost two thousand years ago are reflected in the words of Meriwether Lewis on his birthday in the wilderness. A life lived for others, not for self.
Today’s words beg the eternal question, “Are you living your life for selfish gain?” Or, have you learned from those who risked and were rewarded with the slaying of fear and a measure of courage undaunted as they poured their lives out in service to God and man?
Happy Birthday, Meriwether Lewis!
Captain Lewis is thirty-one years old this day and celebrates it with deep reflection worthy of a theologian. Lewis more mirrors his mentor and leader, Thomas Jefferson, than he does the great preachers of his day. His thoughts, however, are worthy of notice by any man striving to live beyond the muck and mire that attempt to hold our souls to existence instead of the fulfillment of aspiration.
Lewis begins his day trading for three horses. He feels as though he got a bargain. Three knives, a uniform coat, some leggings and handkerchiefs for three good horses. A bargain in the United States. Less than twenty dollars of value. He will become a more shrewd trader as time goes on and his store of trading goods dwindles. Today, he is satisfied with his transaction.
Lewis’ words, “This day I completed my thirty first year, and conceived that I had in all human probability now existed about half the period which I am to remain in this Sublunary world. I reflected that I had as yet done but little, very little, indeed, to further the happiness of the human race or to advance the information of the succeeding generation. I viewed with regret the many hours I have spent in indolence, and now soarly feel the want of that information which those hours would have given me had they been judiciously expended. but since they are past and cannot be recalled, I dash from me the gloomy thought, and resolved in future, to redouble my exertions and at least indeavour to promote those two primary objects of human existence, by giving them the aid of that portion of talents which nature and fortune have bestoed on me; or in future, to live for mankind, as I have heretofore lived for myself.
I hope to expand on this principle later, but suffice it for now to say that I believe when anyone experiences great accomplishment they see that they could have accomplished even more. They find they had no need to be fearful of the effort. We must risk greatly.
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.” Similar words spoken by a great expeditionary almost two thousand years ago are reflected in the words of Meriwether Lewis on his birthday in the wilderness. A life lived for others, not for self.
Today’s words beg the eternal question, “Are you living your life for selfish gain?” Or, have you learned from those who risked and were rewarded with the slaying of fear and a measure of courage undaunted as they poured their lives out in service to God and man?
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 12:31 PM
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