Category: History

Field Trip: Fort York

12/1/2016

Oh how I enjoyed this field trip. We all did. The cannons, the stories, the walking around. This was a great field trip that I would happily do again. Fort York is a great story about the people at the start of Canada as a country.

I have to admit, I took so many pictures here it's hard to choose which pictures to share with you all. :) When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly lady who gave the boys an activity/remembrance token for coming, she directed us to an information area and told us about a movie that they played.

We first took in the museum information area. There we saw the first stamps of Canada, the coins, learned about First Nation involvement, learned how both sides of the War of 1812 declared they were winners because neither side lost.

After this we took in the movie. It was played over three screens and was quite interesting, giving us lots of information. This led us to part three of the museum, a walk through history. I thought this section really well done.

This walk through history led us to the pathway that led to the restored Fort York. Some buildings were erected from stones found, others were built according to original specs. Almost all held artifacts, and each building had an introductory plaque at the entrance.

Isn't this tree magnificent?

The boys thought it would be fun to pose in the guard house.

Hmm.. let's see what else can I share with you?

We saw the stark difference between the enlisted men and the officers quarters. I found it quite amazing in fact...

enlisted men bunks and eating area.

Officers room and eating area.

Different buildings were dedicated to different pieces of information, from seeing how the officers and soldiers lived, to observing the placement of cannons, learning about the different weapons and uniforms, and bugle calls all had meaning as well.

One of the things that happened in the battle at Fort York was when they blew up the magazine, it killed so many of the attacking Americans, the devastation was so sudden. One of the last areas we visited walked us through the attack and blow up of the magazine. They couldn't let all that gunshot end up in enemy hands.

I appreciated reading the first hand reports of the men involved.

One of the last places we visited was the well. My son was so disappointed as the well didn't work. It was sealed off.

And check out this beautiful tree!!! Yes, the colours were changing and this tree was just so very lovely I couldn't pass it up

I hope you enjoyed this brief look at Fort York. There is so much yet I could show you but why would you have a reason to go visit it yourself? We did a self-guided tour and it was interesting and great exercise transversing the yards.

Price to get in:
Adults: $9.00
Seniors (65+): $5.50
Youth (13–18 yrs.): $5.50
Children (6–12 yrs.): $4.25

Hours of operation vary, so check the website before you go.

Field Trip: Guelph Civic Museum

11/24/2016

One day I had to run up to Guelph. I had two or three rabbits to sell, and the folks could meet me there, so the lad and I decided to make a day of it. Do you know that Guelph has very little in the way of museums to visit? Oh my. BUT we did make it to two museums, I talked about the McCrae House already, so today I will talk about the Guelph Civic Museum.

The Guelph Civic Museum is given over to telling the stories of Guelph. It has a variety of exhibits, from static information, to wildlife displays and more. It is a somewhat larger museum...with I think three floors. If you pay entrance to the one museum, you gain entrance on the same day to the other. It did take us a while to figure out where it was... but obviously we managed.

So if you go, this is the building and location for you. :)

One of the first things we saw upon entering the museum was this neat piece of art work. The lad and I both said "WOW" when we saw it. Isn't it neat? All the swirling motion that gets you all caught up.

One section of the building was given over to clothes designed by a person I can't remember. AH See.. this is why I take pictures... clothes for a wedding back in 1905.

Guelph is a town built on an agricultural background, much in it's current production still reflects that...housing one of Canada's vet colleges, having a research station and what not.

They had this lovely set for a garter snake that my son was quite taken with.

They had this interactive area which my son and I spent a lot of time in. Levers to pull, cranks to turn, dials to spin and they all did something. They didn't all work exactly the way they were meant to due to abuse by other visitors, but it was fun none-the-less.

Guelph Civic Museum. Filled with agricultural tidbits and lots of information about the founders and First Nation relations and interactive elements.

Go on, have fun, learn some local history.

Field Trip: Joseph Schneider Haus

11/16/2016

Taking some time to get caught up on some field trips we've done this year and thought you might like to hear about. We visited Joseph Schneider Haus I think back in August this year. Located in Kitchener, right off Victoria Park, the day was hot, we stopped for a run in the sprinkler pad and when cooled off walked up the museum, and cooled off again on the way back.

It's good to go out with a boy child, just mom and lad exploring. This day took us to the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener, Ontario.

As we walked up along the tree lined road my son exclaimed.."Oh.. Is that where we are going mom? The place with the garden?" When I replied yes, he ran ahead and found his way into the garden. He discovered currant bushes! BUT I pulled him away and said..."let's explore inside first and get cooled off again, then we'll come out later to the garden and get hot before walking back to cool off again". :) He agreed that it was a good idea.

I LOVE when I got museums with my lad and we are the ONLY people there other than staff. I find the staff are more easy going and you learn so much since they don't have to divide their attention. Today was no exception to the rule.

This young man, I regret I can no longer remember his name, was a delightful guide and interacted so nicely with my lad. He asked my son good questions and actually WAITED for a response before continuing his history lesson for us. He was doing a summer internship at the Haus.

Part of the house was dedicated to the Mennonite people and how they can raise buildings quickly. We were able to see a frame model of the haus, and also watch a time lapse movie of a barn raising. It is startling how quickly a barn can go up.

They had a few quilts and pictures up in the area as well.

Going through the rest of the house, we were able to talk with the kitchen staff (dressed in period costume). They were very friendly as allowed us to take a few of their currants, telling the lad he was more than welcome to eat some fresh from the bush out in the garden later.

Then our young guide pointed out some interesting aspects to the kitchen, what they restored, what they guessed at and showed us the inner workings of their clock and how it keeps perfect time...just five minutes off the hour.

Much of this pottery came from the house and/or from relatives of Joseph Schneider.

More scenes from the house.

As interesting as this small museum was for us, my son was delighted when we finally made it outside to the garden. Our guide came along, helping us understand how the garden was designed. He was better informed than many museum staff as he actually knew the names AND uses of the various plants in the garden. As we talked, the lad planted himself near the currant bushes and had a delicious snack.

I found the gardens well maintained despite the heat wave we've been going through (who wants to work in the garden when it's hot out eh?).

Anyways, I've given you a bit of a walk through of the Joseph Schneider Haus, next time you are in Kitchener, stop by and learn some local history eh?

Fall Hours:
September to December
Wednesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

Hymn Study: There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

11/7/2016

A fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. Zechariah 13:1

Lyrics

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away,
Washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more,
Be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God
Be saved, to sin no more.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave,
Lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward,
A golden harp for me!
A golden harp for me,
A golden harp for me;
For me a blood bought free reward,
A golden harp for me!

’Tis strung and tuned for endless years,
And formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears
No other name but Thine;
No other name but Thine,
No other name but Thine;
To sound in God the Father’s ears
No other name but Thine.

The last two verses of the lyrics above are new to me. I found it interesting how the verses changed depending on where I found them.   Some lines were reversed in order.   Just interesting.   Other changes in this hymn can be found here.

William Cowper is the author of this beautiful hymn, when I read the story of how this hymn came about, suddenly it had more depth to it.   Oh, how Cowper struggled.   You can read the full story here.

Imagine, being in the depths of despair, knowing that you face an examination that fills you with such dread, wanting to end your life and not being successful. Imagine than having the knowledge impressed upon you about how God can erase the stain of any sin.   And thus a hymn was born.   Oh ... so many heart cries come out in hymns don't they?   When we realize fully a truth from God.

This hymn is one of them. Go on....go read his story.

Another article I read changes the story a bit...so it's hard to know what details are accurate. In this story, Cowper wrote this hymn shortly before his death after he was released from the sanitorium, when he was living a little house, with the words of Zech 13:1 filling his mind, writing this Spirit inspired hymn. (source)

Regardless of the truth of how this story came about... Cowper was a man with a delicate spirit and mind, easily moved to depression, with good friends able to help him recover.   People who cared, but more importantly, a God who kept him close, teaching him what he needed to know of him, and it came out in beautiful words.

Good eh?

Hymn Study: Rejoice the Lord is King

10/31/2016

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

Lyrics
Once again I am surprised at how many verses there are to a familiar hymn.
You will note in the first verse I have the word rejoice after mortals. This is what is says in our hymnal. Rejoice instead of Mortals.

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals (rejoice) give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!
(source)

Written by Charles Wesley it first appeared in his brother John's book Moral and Sacred Poems in 1744. In 1746, Charles published it as one of 16 selections in Hymns for Our Lord's Resurrection. It originally had six verses. (source)

As often happens with hymns, verses get dropped and such was the case with this hymn. The fourth and fifth stanzas omitted in the settings used in The UM Hymnal. Of the four stanzas used in both settings in the hymnal (numbers 715 and 716), almost nothing has been altered from the original 1746 text, a testament to the quality of Charles Wesley's poetry. (source)

Charles Wesley (along with his brother John) wrote more than 6500 hymns in the 18th century. He wrote this hymn to go along with Easter and Ascension. (source) as well as a way to encourage his Methodist brethren who were undergoing persecution.

Hymn Study: Man of sorrows, What a name

10/24/2016

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows.” Isaiah 53:3

Lyrics

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Philip Bliss, American, author of this hymn. He wrote several hymns such as Wonderful Words, Dare to be a Daniel and many more.

He grew up in a family of a music loving Christian home. He learned early the importance of prayer. He loved music and at one point in his life trespassed in order to listen to a young lady play the piano. He left home at age 11 in order to make his own way in the world, working at various trades. Between jobs and as able he attended school. It took time but eventually he got enough credits to get his teaching certificate.

At age seventeen, in 1855, he decided that he would take the final step in preparation for his life's work. ..... and finished the last requirements for his teaching credentials. .....In 1857 he met J. G. Towner who conducted a vocal school in Towanda, Pennsylvania. ..... Towner also made it possible for him to go to a musical convention in Rome, Pennsylvania, later that year. Here he met William B. Bradbury, a noted composer of sacred music. .... Bradbury had talked Philip Bliss into surrendering himself to the service of the Lord. The strong influence of these men in his life helped him to decide to be a music teacher. While still in his teens, Philip discovered that he had ability to compose music. His first composition was sent to George F. Root with this strange request, "If you think this song is worth anything, I would appreciate having a flute in exchange for it." He received the flute.(source) And so a hymn composer and music writer was born.

Originally he was part of the Methodist church, he met Lucy Young who brought him into the Presbyterian church when they married. He worked in the field of music for the rest of his life.

In 1874 he joined D. W. Whittle in evangelical work. To this cause he gave (although a poor man) the royalty of his Gospel Songs, which was worth some thirty thousand dollars. (source)

Written…shortly before his death, this was the last hymn I heard Mr. Bliss sing. It was at a meeting in Farwell Hall in Chicago [Illinois], conducted by Henry Moorehouse. A few weeks before his death Mr. Bliss visited the State prison at Jackson, Michigan, where, after a very touching address on “The Man of Sorrows,” he sang this hymn with great effect. Many of the prisoners dated their conversion from that day. (source)

He passed away early in life due to a tragic train accident. He managed to get free of the wrecked car, but found his wife trapped within, he remained with her trying to free her, but they both perished.

Hymn Study: Thou Art the Way: to Thee Alone

10/17/2016

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6

Lyrics

1 Thou art the Way: by thee alone
from sin and death we flee;
and they who would the Father seek
must seek him, Lord, by thee.

2 Thou art the Truth: thy word alone
true wisdom can impart;
thou only canst inform the mind
and purify the heart.

3 Thou art the Life: the rending tomb
proclaims thy conquering arm;
and those who put their trust in thee
nor death nor hell shall harm.

4 Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life:
grant us that Way to know,
that Truth to keep, that Life to win,
whose joys eternal flow.

George W. Doane is the author of this hymn, he was a considered an excellent poet and he wrote a few different hymns such as Fling out the Banner, let it Float as well Return and Come to God.

Mr. Doane was an American man named after president George Washington. Lived 1799-1859. He took the position of Assistant Minister at Trinity church after graduation from Union College. In 1824 Professor at Trinity college, 1828 Rector of Trinity Church in Boston. He also was Bishop of New Jersey. He founded St. Mary's hall in Burlington and also the Burlington College.

Bishop Doane was man of talent and education, as well a strong character. With a big heart, he had a great many devoted friends who remember him fondly. He had a variety of troubles in his life, which affected his later poetry. Four volumes of hymns and poetry show the work that he put forth.

This hymn is by far his most popular. Isn't it a great hymn? With Softly now the light of day being his second most popular.

Even though he was considered a fair and able administrator and disciplinarian, he was not as good in the financial department when it came to the running of St. Mary's hall and the Burlington College. He ran up rather large debts in regards to them.

I know that he had at a son named William, who also became a Bishop.

Field Trip: 427 Wing and Spirit of Flight Aviation Museum

10/13/2016

Another stop we made while doing Open Doors London was the 427 Wing and Spirit of Flight Aviation Museum. This was a quieter, look and see type of museum, but it was interesting none-the-less.

This museum used to be part of an active air training centre, however is now used to educate people about the role of the aircraft through times of war.

About half of the education centre was given over to information about aircraft, the other half to the people involved with the aircraft.

First....The aircraft!

The boys spent a great deal of time at this board, trying to see if they could figure out which airplane belonged to each cleverly written clue. They got 5 of 8 correct. :)

Up above and around the room, numerous model aircraft were seen.

The aircraft had various insignia on them, it was interesting to see the colour patterns and types of aircraft that Canada has had up in the air. It would have been neat to have been able to take pictures of all the airplanes and then match them up with photos of actual aircraft.

Part of the museum was dedicated to the people of the air force. One such young man is specially noted. A student, Kenneth Gerald Spooner, who died saving the lives of others. My son was much impressed by this young man's heroism.

The dining area of the museum also housed a hockey memorial.

Andy Gilpin was part of the 1948 Canadian Hockey team, that was not expected to do well in the olympics. They ended up winning gold. I talked with one gentleman there who told me so much about the team, and how he was a good friend of Mr. Gilpin. There was numerous hockey memorabilia in this area, as well as the skates from Barbara Ann Scott, who was a great figure skater who also won at the Olympics.

The individual I spoke to, mentioned how she was lifted on the shoulders of the hockey team and was Canada's skating darling.

It's a small museum, and really doesn't take a whole lot to go through. but it's a good piece of history to walk through, part of the history of our land.

Hymn Study: Whate'er My God Ordains is Right

10/10/2016

"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Genesis 18:25

Lyrics

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

I have to admit, this is a relatively new hymn to me.   The truth is this: whatever, doesn't matter what it is... whatever God ordains for a person or a congregation or a country.. it is RIGHT.

A bit about the hymn though. :)

Written by Samuel Rodigast, I don't recall ever running into a hymn written by him before.   He's known to have written two hymns, one of which was translated into English.

A German, he was born in Groben in 1649, He entered the University of Jena in 1668 (M.A. 1671), and was in 1676 appointed adjunct of the philosophical faculty. In 1680 he became conrector of the Greyfriars Gymnasium at Berlin. While in this position he refused the offers of a professorship at Jena and the Rectorships of the Schools at Stade and Stralsund. Finally, in 1698, he became rector of the Greyfriars Gymnasium, and held this post till his death. (source)

This hymn was written by Rodigast in order to encourage up a very sick friend named Gastorius.   Gastorius was able to make a recovery and provided the tune for the poem, thusly turning it into a hymn. (source)

I expect we'll be singing this hymn again as it's a great hymn eh? :)

Field Trip: Black History in London

10/5/2016

You know what I learned on Saturday?

London.. my local city... was a haven for slaves escaping from well.. Slavery! Who would have known? I probably shouldn't have been surprised to learn this but I was.

We were able, through OPEN DOORS London, to visit this historic church.

The building we visited was not the original slave chapel as it's no longer safe to let people into, but was a building used later one by folks who stayed in the area after the civil war in the States.

Beth Emmanuel. They are working at preserving the old chapel.

We first went into the basement of the church which was filled with information about the slaves coming to Canada. The laws at the time allowed slave catchers to follow them up and bring them back, but most stayed well in hiding. This chapel ministered to them.

It also had a section where they talked about the restoration efforts at the original chapel. They had this dear elderly woman standing there chatting with people as they came up to see. She was so delighted in showing how they were peeling off the layers of wall paper. It was neat to see her excitement. They also had the floor plan laid out so that we could see what the buildings design was.

After pursuing the basement information we were encouraged to go upstairs to the meeting area. This chapel is still active. I talked with the parson for a bit and learned that the members are mostly senior, but they have an active children's ministry with between 30-60 children showing up every Sunday. I was impressed. It is by no means a huge building, and that active community involvement.. made me want to start attending because that would just be fun! :)

It was an open area, they don't have the pastor sit or stand above anyone else as they believe all are created equal in the sight of God and that means within the church as well. They had these lovely stained glass windows.