Have you read about Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)? He was known as one of the greatest preachers and theologians in American history and was involved in the revival known as the Great Awakening. He married Sarah Edwards when she was 17 years and they had 11 children. Not only did this couple influence the nation through their lives and Jonathan’s preaching, but they influenced the nation through their children and continuing descendants.
Let’s peek at the family of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards. In 1900, A. Winship tracked down 1400 descendants of this family. By 1900 this godly marriage had produced . . .
13 college presidents
65 professors
100 lawyers and a dean of an outstanding law school
30 judges
60 doctors and a dean of a medical school
80 holders of public office including:
3 United States Senators
3 Mayors of large cities
3 State governors
Third Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr
Controller of the United States Treasury.
Members of the family wrote 135 books and edited 18 journals and periodicals. They entered the ministry in platoons and sent 100 missionaries overseas as well as stocking many mission boards with lay trustees. They directed banks, insurance companies, owned coalmines, iron plants and vast oil interests.
Winship states: “There is scarcely any great American industry that has not had one of this family among its chief promoters.”
Because of the responsibilities of Jonathan Edwards' ministry, Winship goes on to say: “Much of the capacity and talent, intensity and character of the Edwards family is due to Mrs. Sarah Edwards.” The influence of one godly mother has continued down through the generations to affect the destiny of the world.
In contrast to the Edwards family, 1200 of the Jukes' family were tracked down. They originated with one immigrant who settled in upstate New York in 1720 and produced a tribe of “idleness, ignorance, and vulgarity.” Only 20 of the 1200 Jukes' ever had any gainful employment and all the others were criminals or lived on state aid.
How are you influencing future generations?
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
P.S. Wouldn't it have been nice if they had smiled for pictures back in those days?