If you are reading this...
Illustration
If you are reading this illustration in Emphasis you are undoubtedly a fan of CSS Publishing publications. One of the most useful CSS books in my library is a little gem by Edward Chinn titled The Wonder Of Words. In it Chinn defines various words, linking them to the Christian faith. As I read Paul's encouraging words to young Timothy in Ephesus I recalled Chinn's story of Joseph Priestley.
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) was well acquainted with failure. He had failed in his work as a Unitarian minister and was filled (like Timothy at Ephesus) with self-pity and self-
doubt. On holiday Priestley encountered the scientific and political sage Benjamin Franklin, who encouraged young Priestley to begin work on a history of electricity. Priestley took Franklin's advice and began to explore into the mysteries of science. Today Joseph Priestley is renowned in the history of science for his pioneering research. He discovered oxygen, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), and developed the first carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. Because of the encouraging word from Franklin, young Priestley became a priest of the mysteries of the universe revealed through his scientific genius. Few of us will be famous, make scientific discoveries, or find our names recorded in the pages of history, but we can follow the example of the apostle Paul and Benjamin Franklin by encouraging and supporting others with advice and support. Those we encourage and we ourselves will be enriched by the experience.
(From Edward Chinn, The Wonder Of Words, CSS Publishing Co., Lima, Ohio 1985, p. 29.)
-- Mills
Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) was well acquainted with failure. He had failed in his work as a Unitarian minister and was filled (like Timothy at Ephesus) with self-pity and self-
doubt. On holiday Priestley encountered the scientific and political sage Benjamin Franklin, who encouraged young Priestley to begin work on a history of electricity. Priestley took Franklin's advice and began to explore into the mysteries of science. Today Joseph Priestley is renowned in the history of science for his pioneering research. He discovered oxygen, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), and developed the first carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. Because of the encouraging word from Franklin, young Priestley became a priest of the mysteries of the universe revealed through his scientific genius. Few of us will be famous, make scientific discoveries, or find our names recorded in the pages of history, but we can follow the example of the apostle Paul and Benjamin Franklin by encouraging and supporting others with advice and support. Those we encourage and we ourselves will be enriched by the experience.
(From Edward Chinn, The Wonder Of Words, CSS Publishing Co., Lima, Ohio 1985, p. 29.)
-- Mills
