May 20, 2011

I would still plant my apple tree...

Will the world end tomorrow? Everybody seems to be buzzing about it. Tomorrow could be as good a day as any, I suppose.

However if anybody is trying to establish the how and the when of the end of the world...I wouldn't be too sure. Down through history, all the people who have tried to establish the exact date of the end of the world have the same thing in common: they have all been wrong.

Here in Sugar Hill, NH the Millerites, followers of William Miller were sure that October 22nd 1844 would be the day of glory. A comet that appeared that year did much to add to the anticipation. On that day some people climbed trees and ridgepoles (to be closer to heaven) while several others waited in the cemetary in the rain to await the messenger of God.  The day passed without incident.

So, what will happen tomorrow? I guess we will find out tomorrow.
We might go through it again on December 21st 2012 when the Mayan Calendar ends.

Martin Luther, the 16th Century reformer, was asked what he would do if the world ended tomorrow. He is quoted with the response:
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."


What am I going  to do tomorrow? In the wake of the end of the world, I am going to follow up on my earth day pledge to plant a tree.

4 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

nice. (your description of the folks waiting in 1844 made me think of linus sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting for the great pumpkin).

Ruta said...

I hadn't made that connection to Linus and "the Great Pumpkin"...but now that you mention it, I have this vivid image in my head!

The Apple Pie Gal said...

Did you ever plant that tree? :)

Ruta said...

I did...I will have to post a picture! Right now we are having an electrical storm but I will go out tommorow to take the pic!