p. 136 | First Use of Firearms

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1879

First Use of Firearms.

The use of firearms in battle must, necessarily, date from that of gun-powder. Although there is but little doubt that a compound of nitre, charcoal, and sulphur was well known to the Chinese as early as the ninth century as an explosive agent, and had been heard of in Europe about the time of the first crusade, it does not appear from history that it was well known in Europe until introduced by Roger Bacon in the twelfth century. It is alleged that firearms, in the shape of cannon, were first employed by Edward III., King of England, in 1327, in his campaign against the Scots. The first well-authenticated use of cannon in battle was by Edward III., in the battle of Cressy, A. D. 1346.—Inter-Ocean.

Never Play a Part.—

Be what you are, and do not be ashamed of it. If Heaven made you this, or that, or the other, you are that and nothing else. You are only a plain person: very well; it is good to be a plain person. At all events, don’t try to be stylish, nor pretend that your uncle, the shoemaker, was an English nobleman. You have no “grand aspirations,” no “yearnings after lofty things,” so don’t pretend that you have. Neither roll your eyes, nor quote poetry that you do not understand. You can’t play the piano; then don’t say you are “out of practice.” “Out with your opinions. If you think a thing wrong, say so; don’t wink at it because it is fashionable. Take the common sense which God has given you, and use it. Some silly folks may smile, but you will meet with some one, after a while, who will appreciate your truthfulness, and say, “No humbug there,” and take you at your real value. And if not, why, you will respect yourself, and that a humbug never does.