Little Carol Story #2: Country Boy Hopes to Meet City Girl

On May 2nd, 1914 the Baltic Steam Liner entered New York Port carrying mostly English and Irish immigrants.  Racing to the deck, Caroline could hardly believe her eyes when she caught sight of Ellis Island. After 12 days at sea, America was coming into view. The steerage passengers (third class), were climbing the ladders from their quarters below deck to find a place in line to be processed inside the building. There was a mixture of anxiety and excitement in the air. Everyone was talking at once. “There it is” and “I hope we don’t have a problem”. It was going to be a long day.

Caroline was blessed. The Monk’s had purchased first class tickets and had saved themselves and their servant Caroline the discomfort of traveling “between the decks”. The ship, Baltic 2, had been built in 1904 and was quite modern and more comfortable than earlier Trans- Atlantic Ships, still, it had been a long journey. I can picture her with her long blond hair blowing in the sea air as the Pilot Boat guided their ship into the harbor. I know she had a big grin on her face. God had brought her safely to this place. He had a plan.

Meanwhile, up on the farm in Earlville, New York, Charlie was going about his business as a hired man. He was working on our Uncle Henry’s farm doing what hired men did in those days. He was milking cows by
hand, tilling fields with horses pulling plows and all sorts of chores that are part of our country’s heritage and history. How was a city girl going to make it in such a different atmosphere? She was unaware of the excitement she was causing in Earlville and surrounding county. There were people who couldn’t wait for her arrival. The bachelors, the hired men,  young and old, were getting ready. The fun was about to begin.

Faith Break Moment

One of the memories that is clear in my mind is Grandma’s fear of thunderstorms. As soon as she heard thunder rumbling in the distance, she headed for the enclosed staircase to sit on the steps and cry after closing the door. The thunder reminded her of the German bombings that were threatening London and causing fear in her homeland as she boarded ship leaving her family behind. Those fears became reality as German air raids began in London just months after she left for America. Letters from her mother Amy and three brothers at home did little to calm her apprehension. She became nervous and frightened when a storm was brewing. This became real to me while in Jr. High School because we had air raid drills. At the sound of warning bells, we would line up and go out into the hall. There we would kneel on our knees in front of the lockers with our hands covering the back of our necks and wait for the all clear. I remember the deafening silence as if we were waiting to hear the planes overhead. It was practice just in case.  

It seems like we are heading for our spiritual enclosed staircases hoping to close the door and hide from facing the threat of Covid-19. We are worried about our families, friends and ourselves. Now is the time for us to stand strong in our faith and practice what we have been preaching. There will be casualties and there will be survivors but we are Christians who believe the truth that Christ has died, Christ is Risen and Christ is Coming Again.

We are an Easter People

God Bless You Rejoice!

Little Carol Story #3: Welcome To America and Earlville, New York

Lady Liberty stood silently in the harbor. A torch of welcome held high in her right hand lighting the way to all who passed by seeking a new home, opportunities and a better way of life. Emotions ran high for the weary travelers as the words inscribed on the plaque at Lady Liberty’s feet welcomed them because they were indeed the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses. Their Yearning to breathe free became reality as the Baltic 2 docked in New York City harbor and Ellis Island. The travelers crossed over into America by gangplank. It was exciting and frightening at the same time. At least Caroline had Rev. and Mrs. Monk to reassure her. They were among the few who had people, jobs and places to welcome them to their new life. Others were not so fortunate.

The Monk’s and Caroline traveled first class and their paperwork was completed for entrance into the country on board ship thus avoiding the long lines and waiting time most of the others endured. After they exchanged their money and train tickets were purchased, they collected their belongings and were dropped off at the train station. Everyone was on their own! Caroline was headed west and would eventually step out on the platform of the Earlville, New York train station.

The parishioners of the First Baptist Church could hardly wait to hear the train whistle. They were hard at work in the parsonage where the Monk’s and Caroline would be living. The place was getting a facelift inside and out. Fresh paint and new curtains had worked wonders. Since the Monk’s had no furniture,
parishioners gathered up anything that they were not using but was still in pretty good conditions to donate to the cause. After all, they wanted the preacher and wife to feel comfortable and at home. They weren’t too concerned about making it fancy because the preacher was bringing along a servant girl who would put on the final touches.

Everyone was in high spirits, especially the young men working on the surrounding farms. It was spring and there were fields to plow and crops to plant. April had brought usual showers and grass was coming up everywhere. The horses, after being cooped up in the barn most of the winter, were more interested in eating the new grass than plowing straight rows. It was a job just keeping them moving straight ahead. The cows were hard to coax into the barn out of the sunshine for milking but when they were ready to be milked, they didn’t hesitate.
The guys were happier than usual and shopping for new clothes, even if it was going to be overalls. Charlie was thinking about asking his boss if he could borrow his horse and carriage to ride by the parsonage. Maybe he could catch the servant girl’s eye. He wondered if she is pretty.
Caroline had no idea she was he talk of the town and what was in store. Her mind was on the work she would be facing and men were the last thing she was thinking about.

Faith Break Moment

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In today’s chapter of Caroline’s story, she has to put her faith and trust in God. She is stepping out into the unknown and God has given her friends to travel along with her. In the Bible we read about people who have also stepped out into the unknown having faith and trust in God. Joshua and his troops marched around the walls of Jericho trusting God. The battle was different as they circled the city day after day at the appointed time, shouting and blowing their trumpets. There were no rocks, spears or flaming arrows.  They did what God told them to do today and were not concerned about yesterday or tomorrow. They fought a different way but together obeyed God.  

We are fighting a battle against Covid-19 but God is with us. Every day is a new day and the rules are updated for today. Yesterday is behind us and tomorrow is before us.  One day the walls surrounding Covid-19 will tumble but today we follow our leaders advice and pray they are hearing the voice of our advocate and comforter, God, The Holy Spirit and of course our friend Jesus.

Blessings,

Rev. Carol