Siege of Chandernagore

Early in the year 1757, the troops of the British East India Company besieged the French outpost of Chandernagore.  The French surrendered after a heavy bombardment by the ships of Admiral Watson and the soldiers of Colonel Clive.  Percival Innes writes this about the surrender of Chandernagore.

"There were about 500 Europeans in the Fort, 250 Seapoys and 400 Topasses, Mustees, &c., bearing arms.  Of the Europeans about 125 have given their parole of honour, 300 sick and well are prisoners, and the rest were either killed in the siege or made their escape."  Besides these, Broome states that "there were nearly 50 ladies," and Ives mentions specially the case of M. Nicholas, who lost his all, as he had neglected to remove his goods from the town to the Fort; a subscription was raised amongst his captors for his relief and he was presented with 1200, on receipt of which he cried out with joy, "Good God! they are friends indeed!"--pg 45. The History of the Bengal European Regiment by Percival Innes.

This is an inspiring story of generosity, even among enemies!

French and Indian War Gallery by Frederic Remington

Frederic Remington is known as a painter of the "Wild West".  But the West during the French and Indian War was New York and Ohio.

First is an illustration of the most famous French and Indian War unit, Rogers' Rangers.  The men plod along on snowshoes through the dense forest.  Perhaps they are returning from scouting Fort Carillon.

Fort Carillon was a key French position, controlling the Lake Champlain-Lake George corridor.  On July 8, the British attempted to storm it, but were driven back by 3,000 French defenders entrenched behind a wall.

1759 brought the war to the heart of New France--Quebec City.  After a frustrating summer campaign, General James Wolfe finally landed on the Plains of Abraham.  Here his troops in orderly rows await the eventual attack of the French.  An officer of Fraser's Highlanders points out the French to a senior officer, perhaps General Wolfe himself.

The French did attack and were defeated with "the most perfect volley ever fired", according to historian J. W. Fortescue.  With Quebec in British hands, New France surrendered the next year.  But this was not the end of Great Britain's North American troubles.  A prominent chief named Pontiac gathered Indian tribes into a coalition to defeat the British and bring back The Great French Father from Over the Sea.  Many forts fell under the Indian treachery.  The most important and largest fort was Fort Detroit, which repelled Pontiac's attacks.

With this Indian rising quelled, Great Britain and her colonies could enjoy peace...

What Changes the World

Everyone agrees that there is something wrong with the world as it is now.  They even agree that sin is what is wrong in our world  They only disagree on two things: 1. What the sin is and 2. How to fix it.

One of the more popular ideas for a solution is to create a huge multi-national agency to regulate the lives of everybody in the world's nations.  Obesity, poverty and capitalism will be banished forever!  This idea has been tried before and has failed utterly.  The Roman Empire is in the ash heap of history.

Another idea involves revolutions.  When the proletariat rises, all the world's problems will be solved.  Poverty and capitalism will be banished forever.  Soviet Russia, Revolutionary France, and some of the Communist African nations show what happens when this philosophy is used.

Yet another idea has come to us from the Anabaptists/Amish (after they were whipped at the Siege of Munster).  That is, that love will solve all ills.  Love will stop poverty and capitalism.  If this idea was restricted to the Anabaptists/Amish, that would be better.  But it has seeped into the church!  This philosophy is unbiblical.  And why so?

Because the only thing that will solve the world's problems is God Himself!  God alone has the power to bring what we pray for in the Lord's Prayer: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Now, God has given us (as his elect) an amazing gift.  He has "deputized" us, that is, he has given us His power and authority to bring His kingdom to earth.  And how is his kingdom brought?  By obeying His Law.  Only by following the Law of God can we bring His Kingdom to earth, and only God can give us the power to do this.