Chapter I.
(O. J. Page)
Page 7-9
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." "And God said, Let us make man in our own image; in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." "And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man and woman He had formed."
This is the sacred historical record of man's origin and first home in Eden, supposed to have been located in the valley of the Euplirates in Western Asia. From this "paradise" he has peopled the earth amid zones of icebergs and snow, as well as meadows of lilies and orange groves. Different climatic conditions have changed his skin, and varied environments have multiplied his languages until today we have different races and many tongues.
From the birth of Christ back to "the beginning" the period of time is uncertain-but vague speculation. Usher's Biblical chronology fixes it at 4,004 years. It certainly was longer. Nations arose in the vigor of youth, flourished and decayed. Successively over each other's ruins were erected a grander civilization in the evolution of man. China, Egypt, Persia, Judea, Athens and Rome bloomed and withered.
In the 15th century, civilization and trade hugged the Mediterranean sea, satisfied in the folly that the shores its waves were wont to kiss was all the world. Spain, now a by word, was fast becoming a mighty nation. France, England, the Netherlands, Portugal and Italy were also strong and venturesome. In intellect men were broadening; commercially and in area their nations keenly felt the restriction imposed upon them. New and shorter routes to Cathay; and new routes to unknown fields must soon be found. Navigators and geographers did not dream the earth was round. Sailing was done near the frequented shore in small vessels. Deadly fear of hideous monsters prevented voyagers from attempting to cross the broad Atlantic, which bore upon its restless waves messages unread of the most inviting and fruitful land the hand of God had formed.
The hour and man arrived. Christopher Columbus, born in the seafaring town of Genoa, Italy, a studious boy and thoughtful man was the "chosen one" to brave the ignorance of the age and boldly sail where man had never been and open a new route of boundless possibilities. August the 3d, 1492, aided by Isabella, the Spanish Queen, he set sail in three small vessels, for "he knew not where" and after privations and mutinies he sighted the island of San Salvador, Oct. 11, following. He returned to Spain and told of the most wonderful event since the birth of Christ-the discovery of a land which afterward was named America, destined to become the home of the most peculiar and mighty nation civilization had produced.
Navigators, representing the various peoples, now forgot the stories of the monsters of the sea, and eagerly explored the "new land" which might yield to them riches and honor. In 1497 Cabot, for England, traced the Atlantic south from Labrador. In the same year Pinzon, a Spaniard, explored the coast of the gulf of Mexico; Americus Vespucius was their pilot and the continents took his name.
Each nation vied with the others in the vigor of their explorations. According to custom, when land was touched or traversed it was solemnly dedicated to the government under which the explorer served. Their routes necessarily carried them into the same territory, and resulted in a conflict of interests to be eventually referred to the arbiter of the sword. The Spanish, however seemed to acquire territory about the gulf of Mexico; England in the new England states and the Virginias; the French in the valley of the Mississippi and great lakes, wherein lies Illinois, the Queen of States.
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Transcribed by Debbie Woolard
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