The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor:
What Does It Take to Get to Heaven?
After my last hornet's nest letter about liberals and conservatives, it was apparent there would be some definite reactions.
One liberal friend said Jesus was a liberal and Jesus said he would forgive us of our sins seventy times seven.
Unfortunately, this implies that it doesn't matter how often we sin. All Christians would agree that it is important to acknowledge our sins and seek His forgiveness. They generally acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and since we are all sinners, it is important to be born again.
As Billy Graham tells people at his crusades, it also is important to come forward and publicly acknowledge that He is our Saviour. Is this all it takes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
The Bible says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, I believe it also takes works in living the type of life He would have us lead.
When visiting with a minister a while back, he wanted to know if I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and had consequently been born again.
He indicated that this was the only way to make it to Heaven. I asked him if that meant a serial killer, who was walking to the electric chair and a priest or minister asked him if he would accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour and he said he would, that would automatically mean that he would go to heaven, even if he had not done anything else decent in his life.
Besides being saved, I believe we have to make sacrifices in living the Christian life.
Since we were all created in God's own image, the bar is set pretty high and He expects us to follow His commandments and other biblical teachings, (as well as possible) if our goal is eternal life.
Our leaders, especially, need to be role models in living the types of lives God would have us live.
I do not pretend to be holier than thou and know who or who will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. However, when you compare our previous liberal President Clinton, who thought it appropriate to commit adultery numerous times, as well as lie to his electorate, wife, and under oath in court, with our current Conservative President Bush, there is no comparison.
Clinton has continued his immoral behavior throughout life because there have been no real consequences, and even Hilary apparently tolerated it.
Bush, on the other hand, learned from his early drinking problem because there were definite consequences.
In my opinion, if we really accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and live our lives accordingly in a meaningful Christian way, we will someday be in heaven.
However, if we choose the other way of life, there are also consequences, even though our Saviour is very forgiving.
Weyman George
Macomb
The Day I Met Helen Keller
Dear Editor,
Helen Keller is being remembered this year by a new Alabama State Quarter with her picture on it. This month, June 27, is also her birthday. At this time, I would like to share a great moment in my life:
One day as I was on duty as a postal clerk at the little post office of the naval hospital at Shoemaker, California, I remember probably the most memorable moment of my life! It was sometime during 1946 following World War II.
Merrill Dunham, Jr., a high school friend also from La Harpe, happened to be stationed at Shoemaker too as a pharmacist mate came by to tell me that Helen Keller was on the base visiting patients there!
He said she was being led all over the hospital from room to room and would probably come by the post office which was located in the corner of one of the wings.
I remembered studying and reading Helen Keller's life story in school and being so fascinated and amazed at her accomplishments in life in spite of her great handicap. I was determined not to miss her when she came by.
I was not disappointed! I not only saw her, but an hour or so later, we exchanged greetings.
I remember my first sight of her coming down the hall being led by her companion who was constantly her eyes and ears by tapping sign into the palm of her hand.
She and her companion, who I think was Polly Thompson, escorted by naval personnel stopped for a brief moment outside the door of the post office and told us they would later greet people in a meeting room made available in the hospital.
Needless to say, Merrill and I were two of the first people at the door and Miss Keller and her friend were there to greet us. I don't think I would have been more proud of that experience if she had been a world leader! She placed her hand on my face to "see me" and then she listened to me through her hand by positioning her fingers in the proper locations to interpret the vibrations of my words.
She also met Merrill the same way and talked to all of us verbally in a somewhat strange monotone but her words were clear and understandable. I think what I remember most about Helen Keller was her eyes being closed much of the time when she was talking but then when open, they appeared blue with a tinge of smile always on her face.
I think now how ironic it was that she was devoting so much of her time visiting the sick and wounded at the military hospitals at that time when she had lived all of her life in the worst possible condition by being both blind and deaf!
Ten years later, I watched the terrific show "The Miracle Worker" depicting the life of Helen Keller on TV. I was so moved by it that I sat down and wrote a letter telling her so.
I didn't have her address so I sent it to her in care of the Foundation for the Blind, NY, NY. I was thrilled to receive the reply:
Dear Mr. Knobbs,
I returned to Westport last week from Texas, where I had gone for a month's rest, and that is why I have not sooner thanked you for your enthusiastic letter.
It thrilled me to know that you remembered meeting me when I visited the Naval Hospital at Shoemaker, California, and that you thought I did the patients there much good.
Also, it delighted me to know how pleased you were with "The Miracle Worker," and I thank you for your generous words about my seeing light and hearing harmony in my world of darkness and silence.
With heartfelt greetings, I am
Sincerely Yours,
/s/ Helen Keller
Bill Knobbs-La Harpe