Just south of the town of Bolivar, Tennessee, is the grave of Colonel Ezekiel Polk, grandfather of President James K. Polk. He died around 1815. He composed his own epitaph to appear on his gravestone. It was a kind of poetic commentary on the times. In it he took a pot shot at the Methodists whose enthusiasm he did not appreciate. He wrote: "Methodists with their camp bawling, will be the ...
... an analogy. When a U.S. president enters a room on a formal occasion, the song, "Hail to the Chief," is played. Do you know how that tradition developed? The 11th president, James K. Polk (1845-49), was so "physically undistinguished" that visitors to the White House often didn't notice when he'd entered a room. To make sure they knew Polk was there, his wife Sarah arranged for the Marine band to play this old Scottish anthem which we know as "Hail to the Chief" whenever he walked through the door. It was ...
... recall the portrait of Jesus knocking at the door. Looking more closely we discover the door knob is missing. It's on the other side. In order for Jesus to enter, we must open it from our side, the faith side. During the Mexican War President James K. Polk levied a special war tax. David Thoreau refused to pay it and was imprisoned. Ralph Waldo Emerson thought that was carrying the issue a bit too far. While visiting him he said, "Henry, Henry, why are you there?" Thoreau replied, "Mr. Emerson, why aren't ...
