The Titanic

Everyone knows the story (at least I hope so) of the Titanic. It was the "unsinkable ship." But on its maiden voyage, the ship hit an iceberg and sank within a few hours. But did you know that the ship's engineers and builders never called it unsinkable? No, they actually never said it. The people who said it were bystanders and people who didn't know much about ships, (obviously) because it DID sink. One person said, "God couldn't sink it himself!" Okay, yeah, umm, definitely over exaggerated that one. In this paper, I'm going to delve into some things that you may not know about the infamous Titanic.

First, I'd like to say something that is pretty creepy. At least I think it is. (comment below if you think so too) In 1898 (14 years before the Titanic's first voyage) Morgan Robertson wrote a book called, Futility, or as it's called now, The Wreck of the Titan. You can probably see where this is going. The Titan was a ship that, while being built, was deemed an “unsinkable ship.” Then it set sail from Europe to America through the North Atlantic ocean. (so did the Titanic) During the month of, you guessed it, April. Okay, if you're not creeped out yet then you watch way too many horror movies or something. Then, the Titan hits an iceberg during the night, (so did the Titanic) on the same side as the Titanic. It hit the iceberg at 25 knots/hour. The Titanic hit the iceberg at 22 ½ knots/hour. CREEPY. And to add on to it, they were both 400 miles away from Newfoundland. So, you creeped out yet? Well, there is more. Both of the ships carried too few lifeboats for how many people they were carrying. Then when they sank, 2500 died on the Titanic, 2200 died on the Titan. After the disaster of the Titanic, Robertson was asked if he had clairvoyance. He said the similarities were because he knew a lot about shipbuilding and maritime trends. That has got to be the eeriest coincidence ever.

Here are a few things you probably didn't know:

Originally, a lifeboat drill was scheduled to take place on board the Titanic on April 14, 1912 - the day the Titanic hit the iceberg. However, for an unknown reason, Captain Smith canceled the drill. Many believe that had the drill taken place, more lives could have been saved.

Although most passengers had to share bathrooms (only the two promenade suites in first class had private bathrooms), third class had only two bathtubs for more than 700 passengers.

When the Titanic began sending out distress signals, the Californian, rather than the Carpathia, was the closest ship; yet the Californian did not respond until it was way too late to help. At 12:45 a.m. on April 15, 1912, crew members on the Californian saw mysterious lights in the sky (the distress flares sent up from the Titanic) and woke up their captain to tell him about it. Unfortunately, the captain issued no orders. Since the ship's wireless operator had already gone to bed, the Californian was unaware of any distress signals from the Titanic until the morning, but by then the Carpathia had already picked up all the survivors. Many people believe that if the Californian had responded to the Titanic's pleas for help, many more lives could have been saved.

In what is now an iconic image, the side view of the Titanic clearly shows four cream and black funnels. While three of them released the steam from the boilers, the fourth was just for show. The designers thought the ship would look more impressive with four funnels rather than three. (I think it does, do you? Comment below.)

So as you can see there are a lot more things to the Titanic than meets the eye. Even though it was a magnificent ship, it was not, “unsinkable.”

Here are a few pictures to end this paper:

The Titanic today:

The infamous first class staircase:

The top of the stairs:

The Cafe Parisien:

The 1st class gym:

A 1st class cabin:

The Roaring '20's: And American Entertainment

Flappers, motion pictures, Fords, radio, voting, the Charleston. What do these all have in common? They were all big parts of the era in American history we now call, “The Roaring '20's.”

Most of the time when we hear the phrase, “the roaring '20's,” we think of the dancing and the dancers. But there was a lot more to that era than just dancing. I mean, after all, it's not called, "the dancing '20's." So what were the other things that were critical in making the 1920's, "the roaring '20's?"

Well, first we'll start with the new innovations. Like now, there were a lot of new things coming out at that time. To name a few, cars, radios, motion pictures, oh and here's one we use a lot, the band-aid. But that is only a few of the things that were either invented or were big in the '20's. (if you would like a full list, go here, http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/inventions-in-the-1920s.htm)

Now, being a car guy, I kind of have to delve into some of that history as well. We all know (at least I hope you do) that the Ford Model T was the car that pretty much put the car industry on the map. But did you know there was actually a car before that one made by Ford? It was called the Model N. Boom, I just blew your mind. That's right there was a car called the Model N. It sold for $600, which in today's money is about 16k. Henry Ford sold a hundred Model Ns a day. He sold 100 of them in 1 day. So with the success of the N boosting his morale, Ford introduced the infamous Model T. The Model T sold for $825, or about 22k in today's money. So it was a little more expensive but that didn't keep customers from coming. And remember he introduced the assembly line in 1913. So, by the time the Model T's life was over, in 1927, he was able to sell the coupe for only $290! Which, in today's money, prepare to have your mind blown, is only $4000! (BOOM!) And the price wasn't the only thing that is mind blowing. Do you want to know how many he sold in 18 years of production? Get ready. He sold, 15 MILLION. 15 million Model Ts! That is a lot of cars!

Okay so now we know about one thing that made the '20's “roaring” What about radio. Well, radio shows were pretty much exactly like our TV shows. Except, obviously, that there is no picture in radio. So here is a scenario: You get home from school on Friday at say, 3. That leaves you an hour to get your homework done before Amos 'n' Andy is on! See, told you it was like your favorite TV shows. ;) (Here is a link to a script from that show, http://home.hiwaay.net/~ajohns/retro/A&A19280429_No.30.5.htm)

And to add on to the excitement from the shows, at that time radio was a brand new thing! You like to use or buy the latest and greatest thing, right? Radio was the latest and greatest thing!

Then there were motion pictures, or what we call today movies. Nowadays we take it for granted that we have movies with prerecorded dialogue. But in those days there wasn't even sound with movies. The only sounds were live orchestras playing along with the movie. But in 1927 that all changed for good with the introduction of Warner Bros. "The Jazz Singer." "The Jazz Singer" wasn't the first motion picture with prerecorded sound. But it was the movie that changed everything. Sort of like the Model T not being the first car, but being the car that changed everything.

By the end of the '20's, it was estimated that 75% of ALL Americans went to the theater at least ONCE a week. At least once a week?! Good grief that is a lot of wasted money! I mean do you go to the theater once a week today?! NO! That just proves how popular motion pictures were back in the '20's.

Okay, so let me see what else is on the never ending list? Oh yes, what about women's voting rights.

Everyone probably (hopefully) knows that women didn't always have the right to vote. Yes, as sad as it is, they weren't allowed to vote until August 18, 1920. That was almost one hundred years ago and we're still talking about gender equality. Whaaaat ? Okay, sorry I had to slip that in there somewhere. But it's true, the U.S. ratified women's voting rights and equality 97 years ago and we are still talking about gender equality. Anyway, back to the previously scheduled show. The ratification of the 19^th amendment was huge. After this, women changed a little, they started to wear shorter skirts, they started to smoke, drink. Before the '20's it wasn't considered lady-like to do any of those things. Women also found it easier to find jobs in the same areas that men had jobs in. (Oh no, I'm going to bring up modern politics again! Nah, I'd rather not)

In the 1920's there were a lot of changes. Changes in entertainment, transportation, and the way we lived our lives as Americans. But not everything was good during the “roaring '20's.” There was also the 18^th amendment. (I know what you're thinking, “ah, not more politics” but this one I had to mention)

The 18^th amendment was the law that banned all sales and production of liquor and alcohol products. This amendment was ratified between the years 1918 and 1922. So, right as the '20's were getting started. As you have probably already heard, this amendment created total chaos in the crime world. When you restrict something that is a part of a lot of people's lives, things will go wrong. I know this is an extreme example, but it would be like the

government saying, "oh no, electronic devices are bad for Americans health, and a lot of

people use them for bad things. We must ban them immediately!" That would be crazy! (Look, I'm not a supporter of alcohol, I'm just trying to get the point across that even though some people abuse alcohol doesn't mean everyone does. And the government shouldn't be allowed to take away private things.) What were the bad things going on? Well as you might have guessed people went along buying and producing alcoholic products. Instead, now it was in secret. And now that they weren't allowed to drink alcohol people wanted it more and started abusing it even more than they had been before.

So, as a recap, there were good things and bad things going on in the 1920's. But it would have been an exhilarating time to live in.

The Book of Titus: By the Apostle Paul

The book of Titus is actually a letter written by Paul. Paul wrote this letter to encourage Titus in his Pastoral role (Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to pastor a new church).

The ongoing theme throughout the letter was to set a good example to the people on the island. Paul said, “A Bishop (pastor, teacher, or overseer) must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money. But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, and self-controlled.” (Titus 1:7-8) The first chapter basically follows this pattern.

The second chapter continues what was said in the first chapter but puts it into greater detail. Paul said, “exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about you.” (Titus 2:6-8) That last part I think is big, “that one who is an opponent be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about you.” I think we should all strive to be like that. To get to a point in life where one of our enemies in life, or even the enemy, wouldn't have anything bad to say about us.

Chapter three pretty much wraps up the book when Paul asks Titus to come visit him in his home sometime soon. Then, the book of Titus ends.

I think we should take heed of what Paul said in the first two chapters. What he said doesn't only apply to the Bishops and Pastors. We need to become hospitable and a lover of what is good. 

Paul and James: Did They Contradict Each Other?

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

This is one of the more well known verses in James. James is telling his congregation that faith is good, but faith is dead if you don't show your faith through good works. In verse 21 James says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” You can see here James gives an example, from the bible, of a man showing his faith through his works.

But in Romans Paul seems to completely contradict James by saying in chapter 3 verse 28, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Then Paul continues saying in 4:2-3 , “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” These two verses seem to completely contradict James by saying that Abraham was justified by faith and not works. And if that doesn't seem to contradict James enough, Paul wrote to the Galatians saying, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6) Okay so now it looks like they contradict each other again. But it's not added works like circumcision that earns God's favor. What will earn it then? “Faith” But what kind of faith? “Faith working through love.” Okay so now we can see that they don't contradict each other. At least as much as we thought.

But how can scripture seemingly contradict each other? It can't. In 2 Timothy it says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2T 3:16) This says that all scripture comes from God. So how could God's own words contradict each other. It also says in John, “and Scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35b) So this verse pretty much seals the fact that God's word can not be contradictory. Paul even said, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

Reading these two views on faith and works, tells us that they are both equally important. You can't have works without faith and you can't have faith without works. 

The California Gold Rush

In 1848 James W. Marshall found gold next to the newly built Sutter's Mill. This is what started the largest gold rush in American history.

John Sutter decided he wanted to build a mill in Coloma, California. This decision changed the nation. Both economically and where people lived. When news spread about the gold that was found near John Sutter's mill, people around the nation rushed to “strike it rich!”

There were three different ways to get to California from the East at that time. One route was the Oregon Trail to the California Trail. This took around 4-6 months just to get from the East coast to the West coast.

Oregon Trail and California Trail.

The second way was sailing in a boat all the way around South America and back up to the West coast. This took around 6-8 months.

Sailing route around Cape Horn

The third way was the shortest. You sailed on a ship to the Panama Isthmus, then you walked across the Isthmus, then you sailed the rest of the way. This took around 1 month. But unfortunately this route wasn't created until later into the gold rush.

The Isthmus route.

But what happened when you arrived in California? Well sadly most of the people didn't find huge amounts of gold. But some of them got lucky and “struck it rich.”

In 1849 President James K. Polk gave a speech telling the people that the gold rush was real. So it took a whole year for news of gold to reach the President! Talk about slow moving news. But when everyone knew, it was madness. People flocked to California by the thousands. In 1848 there were only around 800 people living there. In 1860 there were over 380,000 people living there. That is a 47,400% increase! In twelve years!

What about the money? How much money was made during the gold rush? Well for the first few years after 1849 the amount of money a year increased until it peaked in 1852 at about $81 million dollars! And that is without the change for inflation! But in years following the amount decreased and in 1857 it was only $45 million and shrinking. But that is still a lot of money. That's over $1.2 billion in today's money! The total amount of gold found during the rush was more than 750,000 pounds of gold! That is around $2 billion! That is just under $55 billion in today's money. 

Sir Sleepolot

Twas early morning,

When the gallant and clumsy,

Sir Sleepolot was awoken,

He was awoken by a strange,

No less, peculiar noise.

But alas!

He did not knoweth of where this strange,

No less, peculiar noise,

Had cometh from,

'Where has this strange noise come from?'

Sir Sleepolot asketh himself

'And what great beast,

Does make this strange noise?'

So it was,

That the gallant and clumsy,

Sir Sleepolot,

Goeth out of his great castle,

To search for this great beastly noise,

His great sword Exdrowsybur by his side.

Sir Sleepolot takes his first step slowly,

No less sluggish,

Second, third, reluctant,

But alas his fourth is mistaken,

Sir Sleepolot falleth to the dirt,

What doth he do now?

Alas!

A noise!

A beastly noise!

Vehement no less,

Has Sleepolot woken the slumbering giant?

No, this thunderous noise,

Is Sir Sleepolot himself,

The gallant and clumsy knight,

Hath fallen asleep!

But alas!

What is this noise?

Tis not Sir Sleepolot,

Could it be the beast,

The gallant and sleeping knight,

Hath been looking for in this short time?

Tis true,

The giant beast that he hath been searching for,

But alas,

Tis not a beast 'tall,

This beast,

Tis a squirrel!

How?

How could this be?

The peculiar noise,

Does cometh from,

the mouth of a squirrel!,

Impossible, no less,

But tis true,

The noise,

Peculiar no less,

Doth cometh from the mouth,

Of a tiny little rodent.

Sir Sleepolot has awoken,

From his nap,

He hears a noise,

Peculiar no less,

'Where doth it come from?'

Asks the gallant knight,

'Who goeth there?'

He asks,

And out cometh the squirrel,

He roars his thunderous roar,

Peculiar no less,

'How could this be?'

Asks the now puzzled knight,

But tis true,

The noise he was so fearful of,

Cometh from the mouth of a rodent.

Treasures up in Heaven

He grew with a yearning inside of his soul,

A millionaire at age 40,

This, was his goal.

But alas!

His goal was not reached,

His dreams not accomplished ,

He surely was not happy,

With his desires not being achieved.

But as time wore on,

He realized,

Money was not all that mattered,

For treasures up in Heaven,

Is what truly is of value.

He took this to heart,

He lived the life of a man,

Who stores treasures,

With the great I Am.

Let us take heed of his decision,

And live a life,

That stores treasures up in Heaven.