A little information about this day in history...

In 1815- Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile on the island of Elba.

In 1870- A 312-ft long pneumatic subway was opened in New York City; funding for a larger version never materialized.

In 1901- Leaders of the Boxer Uprising in China, Chi-hsui and Hsu Cheng-yu, were beheaded.

In 1919- Grand Canyon National Park was established.

In 1935- RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) was first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt.

In 1993- A bomb exploded at the World Trade Center in New York. The blast killed six people and injured more than 1,000.  The man who paid the terrorists to set the bomb off was the same man who planned the attacks on 9/11. The government is trying to give him his rights to the constitution. (Is this justice or stupidity?)

I Shall Know Him!

One of my all time favorite hymn writers is Fanny Crosby. She is the blind American poetess of more than 8,000 sacred hymns. Fanny Crosby wrote on a great variety of many subjects but the themes of heaven and the return of Christ seem to have been her favorites. At the age of eight, she wrote these words:

Oh, what a happy soul am I!

Although I cannot see,

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy

That other people don't;

To weep and sigh because I'm blind,

I cannot, and I won't.

Once she was talking with a Scottish minister and he remarked to her, "I think it is a great pity that the Master, when He showered so many gifts upon you, did not give you sight." Without hesitation, she rebuked, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition to my Creator, it would have been that I should be born blind?" "Why?" asked the surprised clergyman. "Because, when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior." Later, Crosby penned the words to one of my favorite hymns:

My Savior First of All

When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,

When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;

I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,

And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,

And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;

How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace,

That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I Shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,

And our parting at the river I recall;

To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home;

But I long to meet my Saviour first of all.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,

He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;

In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight;

But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.