How are you today, Chief? (As I recall, I wasn’t even in my teens and ‘chief’ of nothing.)
The question came from the always-smiling face of Herm McLaughlin who actually had been the Chief of the Cortland Volunteer Fire Department. He lived next to the fire station and owned The Corner Store on Main and High (which was smaller than a couple of snack isles in a 21st century convenience store).
Hermer McLaughlin – 1903-1973 – former Fire Chief, Cortland Volunteer Fire Department
SOURCE article for the photo above contains an even more interesting article about Cortland from a tragic story which some of you may have read or seen on WKBN earlier this year.
A Cortland Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1885, and consisted of a bucket brigade. Later, a tanker with a manpowered pump was obtained. The water was drawn from the mill pond on Walnut Run. Later, cisterns were dug at strategic locations about the town. A water system, completed in 1939, provided fire hydrants, another big step for the betterment of Cortland.
The old fire station, built in 1885, was torn down and replaced with a modern structure in 1949.
Source: CityofCortland.orgwebsite (which every Cortland resident should visit), which is full of interesting and useful information.
Some family memories from Cortland
My dad, Bill Harned was just another volunteer fireman, who built houses nearby and like all the other volunteer firemen dropped everything when Herm pushed the button to ring the fire siren from his house next door to the volunteer fire department. (This was not an uncommon scene for Bazetta, Fowler, Howland, Champion or any other volunteer fire department nearby which frequently cooperated with other stations for big fires anywhere in Trumbull County.)
It may have been during the time my Grandpa Al Harned was Mayor of the Village of Cortland and local traffic court Judge (also volunteer positions) at the time when he was Superintendent of the failing Richards Milling Company. Not many people buying oats for their horses anymore in Trumbull County since the 50’s. My Grandma Gen owned the last horses in Cortland, ‘grandfathered in’ as an exception to owning a farm animal within the Village Limits (now the site of Harned’s Landing). It was where dad, Bob and Ornetta all grew up just a few doors down E. Main Street where I grew up.
Later my dad would become fire Chief of the Cortland Volunteer Fire Department, succeeding Burke Ensign who owned the farm across W. Main St. from Richard’s Milling(Shafer’s Feed, then Durst’s Ace Hardware) and descended down the hill to the road along Mosquito Lake. His friend Richard Baxter became Assistant Chief at that time. Later my dad left the Cortland Fire Department and joined the Lakeview School Board.
Dad had graduated from Cortland High School. He and my mom Marie, who had worked at seemingly every Packard Electric plant in the county, later retired and moved to Bazetta township.
About Roger
Roger is author and administrator of a blog for Christian Social Witness, TalkofJESUS.com which is NOT a personal blog about Roger.
Since Roger has always loved to travel and once traveling to Europe in 1965 added an interest in history, you may find him guiding a virtual first century missionary tour of Paul throughout the Mediterranean from Acts of the Apostles, complete with Google Earth satellite views along the route. Check it out.
For a deep dive into what I now teach (since the years I taught band in Maplewood Local Schools and conducted The Cortland Community Band prior to moving to Florida and now back to the Cincinnati area), READ some of my 1000+ posts about the Bible and study or ask me about the teachings or doctrines of the church.
I currently worship at Hope Evangelical Free Church in Mason Ohio. I was first a member of Cortland Methodist Church and later, along with my wife Becky we were members of Christ Episcopal Church on Atlantic NE in Warren near where we lived at the time. Becky (d.1999) was a physical therapist for Trumbull County Schools working in Lakeview Schools with physically handicapped kids and coaching Jr. High Girls Track & Field, H.S. Wheelchair Track and H.S. Gymnastics for Lakeview (where I graduated in 1968).
Always thrilled to hear from and about my Cortland friends.
All you have to do is begin a comment with 'Private' since
I moderate all comments and questions on TalkofJESUS.com
- Roger Harned
Here's a link below to more ABOUT ROGER (generally found on the menu at the top of my site.
From a background of my own evangelical christian Americanthinking I had always squirmed with a certain sense of unfairness that Ananias and Saphira died instantly at Peter’s feet when the Apostle confronted them about a sale of THEIR OWN possessions.
Wasn’t the profit from THEIR MONEY from a SALE of their landone of the most generous GIFTS of CHARITY anyone could have given to the Apostles? They gave most of it to the CHURCH. It was certainly more than a 10% tithe.
So how much should Anaias and Saphira have given to the CHURCH?
Our Offerings to ‘the church’
Here’s MY gentile ALL-AMERICAN take on what Peter and the Apostles should have expected.
Wouldn’t giving EVERYTHING to the Apostles make the saints of the first century Church COMMUNISTS, or at the very least SOCIALISTS?
The COMMUNITY of the Jerusalem Churchseems unlike everything WE THE PEOPLE of the United States have come to expect as a 21st century christian ‘church.’ Yet most of our our preachers love to proclaim such generous gifts of substance from leading contributers like Ananias and Saphira to the church. (We know who they are.)
How many of US would sell our possessions just to give money to our local church?
WHY would GOD strike DEAD any believer in Jesus for holding back a few possessions for themselves?
It seems ‘un-American, doesn’t it?
OUR hearts recoil as our tongues to cry out, ‘THIS IS UNFAIR.’
ACTS of the Church in context
Most Christians know this story from ACTS 5:1-11 and the generosity of Joseph of Cypress from the preceeding two verses in Acts 4.
I have not skipped this story until now to avoid controversial contempory issues, but rather to maintain a storyline of Peter as the first leader of the Church.
A Chronological context ofActs from a first century perspective
Luke published Acts of the Apostles in about
the year of our Lord, 62,
just prior to empire-wide persecution of the Jews (including the sect of Christ followers) and the Jerusalem War which led to its fall in A.D. 70.
The Forgotten Saga of The Way
Christians reading Luke’s historical account of events some thirty years earler(in ~A.D. 30’s) would already have suffered persecution, loss of their possessions and lands, and even deaths of family and other saints of their church as most fled with little left to places of reletive safety.
Thissect of The Way, along with Jerusalem’s former ruling classes, would no longer have enough possessions to sustain daily life in Jerusalem, some even without food to eat.
28 AD John the Baptist is executed by Herod Antipas, son of King Herod in Judaea.
32 – 36AD Estimated date of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
44 AD Judaea is annexed as a Roman province after the death of Herod Agrippa.
49 AD Claudius passes an edict expelling all Jews from Rome.
64 AD The Great Fire of Rome speculated to have been started by Nero to make room for his palace. Christians Persecuted as scapegoats. Nero begins construction of the domus aurea (the Golden House).
67 AD The future Emperor Vespasian is sent to Judaea to put down a Jewish revolt.
Death of Paul the Apostle.
Some believe Luke wrote Acts after the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70; his death was probably in the mid-eighties).
It is more likely, however, that he wrote much earlier, before the end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 60–62).
Who should these new disciples of the Apostles ACT like during these desparate times of yet anotherjewish diaspora due to persecution?
Certainly the daily lives of every saint of the early church read like an unseen saga of suffering known to early readers of the GOSPELS, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, the EPISTLES and THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRISTto John.
Possessions of the Church + Banking on the Risen Lord
We return now to Luke's second account ACTS of the Apostles in about AD32-36, as we have learned, and a fledgling gathering of saints in Jerusalem who increasingly must depend on the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the cohesion of love binding their community to each other.
Luke reveals their agreement or community compact:
For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.
ACTS of the Jerusalem church 4:34-35 NASB – AD 30’s
This NEW community in the Spirit of The Way in Jerusalem applied Christ’s love for each other AND IT WORKED.
Luke tells later saints of the church how the Apostles gave us this example.
Luke begins with a positive example.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, (translated Son of Encouragement) sold a field he owned..
Joseph, from the priestly Levitical line, is a faithful Jew who traveled to Jerusalem for its major festivals. Then after the Holy Spirit fills the community of faith on Pentecost, Barnabas (Joseph) fully commits to this new community of The Way led by the Apostles.
Joseph of Cypress (Barnabas) sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
ACTS 4:37 CSB
Luke encourages the poor and needy commuinties of Christ who will read of their sacrificial generocity years later while many saints suffer severe persecution.
32 Now the multitude of those who believe were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
.. all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
ACTS 4:33,35b-36 NKJV of the Jerusalem Chruch after Pentrecost
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
Unlike Joseph of Cypress, Luke does not give us much detail about this couple, but his name, Ananias, would have been familiar in their community of fellow Jews.
Ἁνανίας – Ananías, an-an-ee’-as; of Hebrew origin (H2608); Ananias, the name of three Israelites:—Ananias.
a certain Christian [at Jerusalem], the husband of Sapphira: Acts 5:1-6.
a Christian of Damascus: Acts 9:10-18; Acts 22:12
a son of Nedebaeus, and high priest of the Jews circa A.D. 47-59.
Ananias = “whom Jehovah has graciously given”
(Luke the gentile Physician likely understands this irony as will the Apostles.)
The Hebrew root of Ananias also points to a familiar Scriptural example from Daniel: חֲנַנְיָה
Hananiah = "God has favoured"
the godly friend of Daniel whom Nebuchadnezzar renamed Shadrach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord.
source: BlueLetterBible.org Lexicon :: Strong's H2608 - ḥănanyâ
Ananias is a leading man of means among these five hundred or so followers of the Apostles. And he has sold some of his possessions for the church to graciously give to others in need of his charity.
(But is their generous gift to the church truly their own?)
ACTS 5:2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
WHY?
Didn’t Luke tell us that ALL brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet?
AND also, these ACTS of GENEROSITY of ALL sharing ALL of their possessions resulted in
the Apostles distributing to each as anyone had need?
The offering of Anaias’ portion of the sale may have exceeded the value of what most could contribute who shared everything they sold. So often leading contributors of the Church receive public accolades for their ‘generosity.’
Yet what had Peter learned from Jesus preaching about our portion of riches?
10 “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him;
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.
“Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Peter and ALL of those touched by the tongues of fire on Pentecost have already experienced this.
But in this same teaching, Jesus warns again of the danger of riches to those who would cling to their possessions.
“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive..
Gospel of Luke 12:15b-16[21] NASB20 – Jesus cautioning against greed
AND IN THE END of Jesus’ parable:
We know the expression, but hear little of it's context: EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY..
‘And I will say to my [SOUL], “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’
“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control?
Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart?
You have not lied to men, but to God.”
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.
So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
FAR DIFFERENT from our 21st century receiving of this weeks 'offering' when we are obliged to put something in the basket (or plate) rather anonomously.
Saphira
I might easily expound at length on Saphira's role as the wife of Ananias. Should she agree with her husband's dishonesty OR tell the truth even when her husband is dishonest?
Just a Scriptures familiar to her for your own consideration:
All quotes from BlueLetterBible.org
and they shall become one flesh. – Genesis 2:24b
There certainly was no one like Ahab who gave himself over to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. – 1 Kings 25:25
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. – Job 2:9-10
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
Gospel of Luke 14:26 + a caution of JESUS – v.27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
SAPHIRA, one with ANANIAS as his wife had a choice: Yet both also gave their word to the Apostles to remain one with the community of Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Which choice will SHE make when confronted by truth?
Three Hours Later
Perhaps she had been window shopping in Jerusalem for some new clothes or possions appropriate to their high status. Maybe she had asked Ananias for some of their new-found profit. (This is just spectulation.)
The Christian community is built with fellowship, the Christian heart with prayer.
Let’s consider the community of believers we call ‘church’ for a moment. Paul addresses some of the ‘issues’ of worship style in his letter to the Corinthians [ch.14] and his first direction of guidance instructs: “Pursue love… agapē.”
1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
John writes to the churches in Asia a similar caution:
1 John 1: 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Peter in his first letter addresses Christians of churches in an even larger area:
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
The King James Version states: Finally,be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
be of one mind
have compassion one of another – sympathēs
love as brothers – philadelphos
Do these words of the Apostles instruct any to be a lone chrisitian? Certainly not. The instruction to Christians is for fellowship.
The Apostles teach the nurturing of a loving community, believers who spend time with one another, who worship together, and believers who truly love each other as Christ Jesus loves us.
The Christian community is built with fellowship…
How is it that most of our busy 21st century churches don’t get this?
Does it take just a little more than an hour on a Sunday to build a relationship? to build a community? to establish a church in the love and fellowship of our Lord, Christ Jesus?
“christians” we call ourselves. Is your relationship and community with your fellow brothers in the Lord (your fellow sisters in the Lord) a loving commitment such as this?
The Christian community is built with fellowship, the Christian heart with prayer.
So let us repent of the busyness of our public lives and sacrifice a little more Christ-like love to embrace His love through the relationships of our church.
Which brings us now to our private lives:
How is your prayer life?
I must confess that I have never been one to think of prayer sufficiently. It was not until recently (by measure of years) that I finally engaged God in conversation through prayer every morning and throughout my day.
Do you suppose the mention of “prayer” 114 times plus “pray” 96 times in the ESV suggests its importance? Of course.
IF Jesus is our Lord and Master, we being His servants: certainly we must be obedient to His command:
Mathew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Jesus said: “when you pray,” not ‘IF you pray.”
Jesus said: “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” – Luke 6:28 I have a hard time with that one.
Jesus encourages us in Luke 18: And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Do you “loose heart” in your daily life? I do. Consider that in losing heart you have likely neglected prayer.
Our failing flesh is one thing, but our heart is quite another. Jesus points out that the flesh is weak, but for the heart He directs us to prayer. Our heart (Hebrew) is: the inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding and much more – kardia in the Greek.
How will our spirit dwell with the Holy Spirit if not through prayer?
… the Christian heart is built with prayer.
And oh, so tender, our torn-up hearts.
How broken our Christian lives. How broken our Christian families. How broken our Christian homes.
How broken our Christian husbands and how broken our Christian wives. How broken our Christian children and how broken our Christian youth.
What, then, must Christians do? (For in fact, our brokenness looks no different than the brokenness of so many who do not even know the love of Christ Jesus.)
The unturned pages of our Bibles tell an answer we claim as our ‘Good News.’ (Gospel.)
Have you been too busy to get the answers from God through prayer?
Have you been too busy to share your love with other Christians?
