On May 23, 1785, Ben...
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On May 23, 1785, Ben Franklin wrote about his new invention, the bifocal eyeglasses. Ben's invention permitted two ways of looking. The event we call the ascension of Christ is also about two ways of looking. On Ascension Day Christ met with his disciples. They asked Christ, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:8)? The disciples wanted to see their national kingdom restored. Christ answered their question by picturing for them, instead, a world-wide mission. Halford Luccock cited this scene as an example of the contrast between "restorers" and "creators." Luccock, in his book, Marching Off The Map, recalled the great fire which destroyed most of London in 1666. People said, "Let's not restore the old crowded city; let's create a new city."
Sir Christopher Wren, the architect, prepared a design for rebuilding London. Then, the real estate interests stepped into the planning. They felt that anything new threatened their particular properties. They hurried to restore the old maze of narrow, winding streets. The restorers defeated the creators. One hundred years later, in Philadelphia, the creators won. They were loyalists in 1776 who wanted to restore the old ties with England. At Independence Hall a group of men said, "No, let's not restore the old; let's create something brand new." A new nation emerged from the decision made there.
-- Chinn
Sir Christopher Wren, the architect, prepared a design for rebuilding London. Then, the real estate interests stepped into the planning. They felt that anything new threatened their particular properties. They hurried to restore the old maze of narrow, winding streets. The restorers defeated the creators. One hundred years later, in Philadelphia, the creators won. They were loyalists in 1776 who wanted to restore the old ties with England. At Independence Hall a group of men said, "No, let's not restore the old; let's create something brand new." A new nation emerged from the decision made there.
-- Chinn
