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John Ray - Founder of BiologyOur family just read about John Ray (1627-1705) and were fascinated to discover that he grew up helping his mother gather herbs in the fields which she used to prepare medicinals for her family and for her community. In fact, he later wrote a book cataloging plants of the British Isles which contained a long section on medicinal use of plants and also denounces astrology, alchemy and witchcraft associated with such.He worked his way through college starting at the age of 16 and stayed on as a lecturer. According to J.G. Crowder in The Founders of British Science, "Ray (told his students) that, instead of devoting themselves to games and dissipations, they would gain more satisfaction from the contemplation of the wisdom and goodness of God, as demonstated in the exquisite works of nature." Botany and zoology weren't standard subjects in the university at that time and yet, Ray invited his students to accompany him on their time, as he studied and researched flora and fauna. Apparently, Ray had intended to become a clergyman, but lived during a time when the state governed in the affairs of the church so much so that he could not endear himself to such a religion as that and would not compromise his faith. Therefore, he was dismissed from the university with no means of supporting himself or his widowed mother. Of course, God works all things for the good for this is when Ray was freed to do that which the Lord called him to do. A former wealthy student asked him to undertake scientific research together at his expense. This student knew a good thing when he saw it and made a great investment. Ray then proceeded to accomplish his great work in biology. Ray's belief in God went hand-in-hand with his scientific research. He did not divorce the two. His research gave evidence of divine wisdom. In fact, he wrote a classic entitled, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of Creation. He readily acknowledged that there was a Creator. As we work on our homesteads, may we "contemplate on the wisdom and goodness of God, as demonstrated in the exquisite works of nature." In awe of the wisdom and goodness of God, The Farmer's Wife 08:35 - 2006-Oct-21 - post comment
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Description Sharing our thoughts, events, ups and downs, as we restore a once profitable farm to its former greatness as a Christian agrarian family. Home User Profile Archives Friends Lighthouse Farm Our DVD's for homesteader's Homestead Series e-books Lighthouse Farm Podcasts No NAIS Recent Entries - Pig-headed or chicken-hearted???? - Health care - the way it used to be - The Egg Hog - Back in blogdom after chasing sheep - Ode to Winter 2007 - Chicken and Hog DVD's are now finished!! - Video clip of the birth of a piglet - News about Haitian friends!!!!! - Authentic AgricultureTM - Welcome! - A Peaceful Night in the Pasture - Big Sale at The Old Schoolhouse!! - Rendering Lard - Hog Butchering Time - John Ray - Founder of Biology - A Breath-taking Field Trip - Fat and Sassy - Real Men Eat Quiche - Green Tomato Recipes - Harvest - Two Cents Worth on Pinching Pennies... - Cockle burrs and stinging nettle a blessing? - Gourmet Meals At The Farm Table - Seeds Worth Saving - Sweet cartoon - Commercial rice supply has been contaminated - Spermicidal Corn - Agricultural Science Fiction Horror Flick or Truth? - SImple Entertainment - "Gardening is like a treasure hunt!" - Pigs don't stink - Diggin' For Gold!! - Rain - a Blessing or a Curse? - My Sheep Know My Voice - er - Chain Saw... - The Old Farm Dog - An Alarming Nightime Visitor - Farming Magazine - A Pig's Nest - Meager chicken harvest - Bacon + Garlic = Piglets? - A Rare July 4th Tribute to Farmers - Fencing in more pasture - Three months on our new place.... - Blood suckers in Minnesota :( - Miss Bacon and Rocky Mountain Oysters - Sheep without a shepherd - Haying with my man! - Mink solutions, anyone? - Goat meets pig... - I Smell a Skunk... - URGENT!! Please forward!!!! - Did Adam Smell Like That? - Minnesota!!!!! - Problem solved - God is good - The Rat Trap and One Happy Girl - New Podcast - Farm Restoration - The Beginning - An Honorable Gentleman Has Died - Why teach our children about agriculture? - Cheap, Safe Food??? - New NAIS links worth reading - Old Tractors Never Die - A Lawyer comments on Constitutional Rights and NAIS - Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks - Big Bellies and Big Bags - Hosting Haitians on the Homestead - Minnesota, Here We Come (after we sell our house) and "the Chip" - And God saw that it was good - Greetings |