THE FOUR MINUTE EVERLASTING RECORD

I recently purchased my great Uncle’s 1903 Edison Amberola,  (erroneously referred to as a ‘Victrola’) and which was first owned by my grandfather; (having been purchased at Sears & Roebuck in 1917). Interestingly enough, I first heard it play over half a century ago, (and then forgot all about it).

The device is enclosed in a small cabinet, on top of which is a steel head and a stylus designed to play cylinder shaped audios; (or records as they were already known). Earlier today, as I was examining one of the small cardboard boxes into which the cylinders fit, I noticed some writing on the outside.

‘U.S. 4 Minute Everlasting Record’

And as I reflected upon the text, it seemed to me that the wording affixed to the box was almost prophetic; given that not only the player and the audio cylinders, and those disembodied voices remain, long after they who vocalized the words have gone on to their reward, but their cardboard trappings, as well.

On a similar note, the owners of the construction company for which I work once purchased several hundred red bricks which had been dislodged when the city paved the street upon which they had been installed.  Some of the bricks still bear the fingerprints of the masons who originally fired them; decades after the hands that made them and the owners of those hands were laid to rest in the loom from which they were made.

And more personally, my own father ‘left something behind.’ Well, to be sure he left plenty of stuff behind. His audio recordings upon which he spun those long since lived childhood stories. His family research. And hundreds of beautiful landscape paintings; some of which adorn the walls of my home.

And as is the case with these few foregoing examples, the creations are left to us; whereas the creators have passed from the earth. 

Ultimately, however, not even the creations are eternal and will dissolve into the dust whereby they are composed.

Thankfully, this ‘ain’t’ all there is, and the redeemed have something to look forward to.

Scripture informs us that “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

(and)

“This life and the lust thereof is passing away, but he who does the will of the Lord endures forever.” (1^st John 2:17)

No, my friend. In spite of the assurances on that century old cardboard box nothing on this side of the heavenly realm is eternal, but like those ethereal voices on those old recordings is quickly passing away.


  By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 46. Copyright pending
 
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