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Lakeside Classics - 1950 - Margaret Carrington · Guided by Faith

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: In the introduction to Guided by Faith, I referred to the collection of the near 50 volumes of the Lakeside Classics that were left to my wife by her dad, Anthony Varsetto, the subject of a special episode of Guided by Faith earlier this year in recognition of what would have been his 100th birthday.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: Each volume of the Lakeside Classics, originally published in 1903 with the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, features the original literary work of a person who firsthand experienced a notable period or event in American history.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: Our collection represents the volumes published between 1950 and 1997.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: These volumes, with few exceptions, cover periods or events relevant to the settling of the American West.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: Some of the writers are well known, however, most never emerged as notable historical figures in American history.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: In both cases, their willingness to bring to paper their experiences have provided readers with a unique perspective on the history of our great country.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: I am grateful for the willingness of these individuals to preserve these stories for the benefit of generations of Americans.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: In the spirit of the Guided by Faith series, it is my hope to provide a summary of the historical accounts on which they have written and to identify the presence of a belief in God by them or those alongside them in these noteworthy segments of American history.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: The first episode of this special season of Guided by Faith is from the 1950 edition of the Lakeside Classics, featuring the work of Margaret Carrington, Ab Saraka, Home of the Crows.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: Margaret Carrington was born in Ohio in 1831, and in 1851 became the wife of General B.B.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Carrington, a Union Army officer and Civil War veteran who was responsible for troops in the Wyoming Territory in the mid-1860s.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: The Carringtons were stationed at Fort Philip Kearney beginning in 1866.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: On December 21st of that year, the Carringtons and the entire Fort Kearney community experienced one of the most devastating conflicts with Native Americans in the West.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: In a brutal conflict with over 1,000 members of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, 81 Americans, mostly soldiers, were killed in what would become known as the Fetterman Massacre.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: Among the officers killed in this battle was Lieutenant George W.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: Grummond, whose wife Frances was a dear friend of Margaret Carrington.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Like General Carrington, Grummond also was a Civil War veteran.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: In her account of the aftermath of the Fetterman Massacre, Margaret Carrington shared the following as to Francis' ability to grieve her loss.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: But at the time, the Christian fortitude and the holy calmness with which Mrs.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: Grumman looked upward to her Heavenly Father for wisdom and strength inspired all with something of her same patience to know the worst and meet its issues.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: Separately, in her memoirs, My Army Life and the Fort Phil Carney Massacre, Frances Grumman wrote on the days immediately following the massacre by acknowledging the earnest prayers for reinforcements of troops.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_00: It is no surprise that Frances Grumman, and likely many others in the Fort Kearney community, including the Carringtons, looked to God and his word for solace.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: Although the accounts of the massacre nor life at Fort Kearney provide any references to specific scriptural passages, those that might apply in this instance are from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 29.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: And chapter 41, verse 10, so do not fear, for I am with you.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: I will strengthen you and help you.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: I will with uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: And finally, from the Apostle James, chapter one, verses two through five.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: Upon reflection, what is evident here is that Francis Grummond, the Carringtons, and the broader Fort Carney community found strength, wisdom, and patience to deal with great adversity.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: This adversity likely brought upon them significant fear of the imminent future, including grave threats to their lives.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: In this moment, more so than any other force or influence, God stood ready to enable them to overcome fear and endure the immediate pain and uncertainty of the future.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: It is my belief, in whatever trials we may encounter, God will do the same for us.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: Allow me to offer this prayer to the families of fallen soldiers who have given their lives in the service of protecting others.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_00: Merciful Lord, we remember fallen soldiers and commend their beloved to your loving care.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_00: Give them comfort in sorrow, strength in weakness, courage in uncertainty, and hope for the days ahead.
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_00: Surround them with those who will honor their memory not only in words, but through lasting acts of kindness and support.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: May they find peace in your presence, reassurance in the love of others, and comfort in the knowledge that neither they nor their loved ones are forgotten.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: May your everlasting arms uphold them today and in all the days to come.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.