There's an old story about...
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There's an old story about Benjamin Franklin, from the days when he served our young country as ambassador to France. Franklin, of course, was a keen scientist, so he jumped at the invitation to view the launching of a recent invention: a hot-air balloon.
Franklin traveled, in the company of others, to a field where the balloon ascent was to take place. A great fire was lit on the ground, and a pump and bellows were set up beside it to fill the bag with hot air. After a great deal of difficulty, the great bag puffed out, and the whole apparatus descended high into the air: only to deflate and descend to earth again, a few moments later.
Franklin was entranced. But then he heard a cynical voice by his side: "That's all well and good," the voice growled, "but what's it good for?"
Franklin turned to the man and asked, "Tell me, my friend, what a baby is good for?"
Franklin knew the technology he witnessed that day was in its infancy but had incredible potential. Two millennia after the birth of Jesus Christ, we can still say that about him. He has had a greater impact on the human race than any man, before or since, but his impact is still only beginning to be felt.
Franklin traveled, in the company of others, to a field where the balloon ascent was to take place. A great fire was lit on the ground, and a pump and bellows were set up beside it to fill the bag with hot air. After a great deal of difficulty, the great bag puffed out, and the whole apparatus descended high into the air: only to deflate and descend to earth again, a few moments later.
Franklin was entranced. But then he heard a cynical voice by his side: "That's all well and good," the voice growled, "but what's it good for?"
Franklin turned to the man and asked, "Tell me, my friend, what a baby is good for?"
Franklin knew the technology he witnessed that day was in its infancy but had incredible potential. Two millennia after the birth of Jesus Christ, we can still say that about him. He has had a greater impact on the human race than any man, before or since, but his impact is still only beginning to be felt.
