“Write these commandments that I’ve given you
Today in your hearts.
Get them inside of you, and then get them inside
your children;
Talk about them wherever you are,
Sitting at home, or walking in the street;
Talk about them from the time you get up in the
morning,
To when you fall into bed at night.”
Deuteronomy ¸6-8.MSG
The Bible is filled with such words to remind us that history is important, because so often it teaches us something about life; maybe just to remind us of a problem that lies when we do a certain thing, or plan some sort of action for our life.
It’s interesting that the Smithsonian, the nation’s storehouse and record keeper, is trying to put its vast array of material into digital researchable files. So they are calling on the public for help.
They have set up a Transcription Center that allows any interested person to sift through scanned, hand written documents, and send in their own transcription online. The Center checks the work and it is digitalized for use. So far 3,400 have signed up as volunteers.
I have read letters written by pioneers, or civil war soldiers, to home and family. They often describe conditions and circumstances that shed light on their lives. I find such reading not only interesting, but often also enlightening. It often sheds light on something that happened. Maybe an action that puzzles us to ask, “Now just why did uncle Oscar sell that section?” Answers to such questions may bring us satisfaction, and understanding, and peace.
History has its uses. Not the least of them simply to do what Moses had said so long ago, Memorize what is vital for your life.
Become a historian.
GPD 9/16/14
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