Where the History
Book Left Off

Many interesting bits of history that make it come alive,
or give it a more meaning are so often left out of the history books.
Here are a few for your edification and enjoyment.

Charles IX

Charles the IX was the ungodly monarch who was infamous for ordering that horror known as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Having caused the death of so many Huguenots in the name of the pope of Rome, he had somewhat to fear in death.  His last words were, "What blood! what murders! I know not where I am. How will all this end? What shall I do? I am lost forever. I know it."

2Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

One day in his 80th year, John Quincy Adams was tottering down a Boston street when he was approached by a friend who said, "And how is John Quincy Adams today?"  The former President replied graciously, "Thank you, John Quincy Adams is well, sir, quite well.  I thank you.  But the house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated.  It is tottering upon its foundations.  Time and the seasons have nearly destroyed it.  Its roof is pretty well worn out, its walls are much shattered, and it trembles with every wind.  The old tenement is becoming almost uninhabitable and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it soon; but he himself is quite well, sir, quite well,"

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, was probably a very wicked man in his younger days, but his last years were more glorious than his famous military life because it was then that he repented toward God and lived a life of faith in Jesus Christ!  

He was a soldier of great renown, fighting the Indians, English and Spanish.  He was perhaps most famous for the Battle of New Orleans which he lead.  He and his wife, Rachel, were early tamers of the American wilds, but they were also plagued with scandal because they accidentally "married" before her divorce from her first marriage was final.  Of course, in God's eyes it was adultery anyway, but Jackson spent the rest of his life defending her honor by pen and pistol and was better known for his attendance at duels than at church.

General Jackson came under the preaching of Peter Cartwright the Methodist circuit rider in 1818 at Nashville, Tennessee.  Having a great respect for religion and ministers, he also invited Cartwright to dine at the Hermitage upon one occasion.  Read about both of these very interesting incidents here:  Experiences with Andrew Jackson.

Jackson was elected President in 1828, but his wife died before he was even sworn in, causing him great grief.  He had many enemies because of his unrelenting attacks on the banking industry, particularly the Second Bank of the United States.  During his second term in office, in January of 1835, an attempt was made to assassinate him.  Though the man fired two pistols at him point-blank, for some reason only God knows, neither gun discharged.  When the King of England sent a letter of concern, Jackson answered "A kind Providence had been pleased to shield me against the recent attempt upon my life, and irresistibly carried many minds to the belief in a superintending Providence."

He was not saved when this happened, but it can be seen that his mind was already turning toward God due, no doubt in part, to the preaching of the word of God that he had heard.

William Grady writes in What Hath God Wrought!, "Retirement years brought on seasons of serious reflection.  The seed sown by Peter Cartwright was finally ready to bear fruit as God's Word was not about to return void.  Chamberlain writes:

" 'The evening of his stormy life had come.  The remains of his much-loved wife were resting in the humble graveyard near the house.  At last thoughts of eternity were forced upon him.  After attending a series of religious meetings Jackson became greatly convicted of his sin.  He passed the night walking in his chamber in anguish and prayer.  In the morning he announced to his family his full conviction that he had repented of his sins, and, through faith in Jesus Christ, had obtained forgiveness.  Family prayer was immediately established...he was privileged to read through the Bible twice.'

"On May 29, 1845, only a few weeks before his death, Jackson declared:

" 'Sir, I am in the hands of a merciful God.  I have full confidence in his goodness and mercy...The Bible is true...Upon that sacred volume I rest my hope for eternal salvation, through the merits and blood of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.'

"Finally, on June 8, 1845, just moments before he sailed into eternity, Jackson reassured everyone with these words:

" 'My dear children, do not grieve for me; it is true, I am going to leave you; I am well aware of my salvation.  I have suffered much bodily pain, but my sufferings are as nothing compared with that which our blessed Redeemer endured upon the accursed Cross, that all might be saved who put their trust in Him...God will take care of you for me.  I am my God's.  I belong to Him.  I go but a short time before you, and...I hope and trust to meet you all in Heaven, both white and black.' "  pp.204-205

background & graphics by mary van nattan