THE  OLD  PREACHER  and  TEMPORARY CUSTODIANS

 

            There was once a rather wealthy, stingy, and short-sighted gentleman who heard the invitation offered by his old preacher (from now on referred to as “O.P.”) to use for charitable purposes what he had so graciously and abundantly received.  The challenge given by the O.P. was also to recall how everything that anyone possesses is actually only a long term loan.

 

            Well the rich guy challenged the O.P. on this thought.  He invited the O.P. to his home in order to admire his property, to see the valuable “stuff” he had accumulated, and to admire his mansion.  “How,” the wealthier guy asked the O.P., “can you say that this isn’t mine?  After all I bought and paid for it with my own hard earned money.  It is far more than a loan.”

 

            The O.P. thought the challenge over and replied, “Yes, it is true that this is all yours.  Yes, you bought and paid for it honestly with money acquired through hard work.  However, I still maintain that all of this is a short term loan.  I’ll tell you what, how about we continue this conversation in about eighty years.”

 

            This little story popped into my mind last month after my return from the Texas Numismatic Association Show.  On the Saturday of the show I purchased two items.  Both came from the same dealer.  One was a piece of Texas Civil War County Scrip for Five Dollars from Fort Bend County.  The other was the same except for Ten Dollars.   After I brought these home I glanced through the two major sources on County Scrip.  The most important being Bob Medlar’s book on the subject, Texas Obsolete Notes and Scrip, published back in 1968.  The other source the Hank Bieciuk and Bill Corbin book Texas Confederate County Notes and Private Scrip published in 1961. 

 

            When I thumbed through the latter I was amazed to see that the plate note in the book for Fort Bend County was not only a Ten Dollar note like the one I had purchased the day before but was the Ten Dollar note I had purchased the day before.  I recognized the note in the book as my note from the folds and from the small foxed spots which were exactly in the same place on both the note pictured and the note in my hand.  Incidentally, the serial number couldn’t be read on either.  Back forty-six years ago whoever owned the note I now possess loaned it out for placement in the book.  Now, for at least a little while, it is mine.  More than likely my children will have to figure out what to do with it in years to come.  Whatever the case the O.P. in the above story was correct when he declared that what we have is only a short time loan.

 

            And here is another thought, how about doing something non-numismatic with your time.  Certainly numismatics can use your insight, time and ability, as well as your “stuff.”  But on the other hand, we all have gifts to offer, even more than the things of numismatics.  Yes, what I am encouraging is what is traditionally called a “generous spirit” and “random acts of kindness.”   That is, taking a little of your time or resources and giving them away to fulfill a human need.  Coins for A’s comes to mind, but so does Habitat for Humanity.   We Greater Houston Coin Club members could spend a Saturday or so participating in such a project.  We could also have an auction with proceeds going to African health relief programs such as “Nothing but Nets” or, for example, to various agencies which are helping in places such as Kenya to build homes for AIDS orphans.  Perhaps we could take a “road trip” over to work a day or so on homes damaged by Hurricane Rita.  There are hundreds of homes in Beaumont and Port Arthur which are still uninhabitable.  Partners are needed to complete the work left undone by other agencies.

 

            If this is the case then I’d venture to say that what we do with that which is ours is significant.  Sometimes we forget how transitory life is and how we are here not just for ourselves but also to be in a positive way part of the community of our birth in specific as well as part of the human community in general.  What are you doing with “your” stuff?”  In numismatic terms you are challenged to use items from your collection to help educate one who seeks to know.  Are you exploring possibilities of historic usage which might just bring some enlightenment to another?  Are you signed up to make a presentation at an upcoming Greater Houston Coin Club meeting?  Or is there something in your holdings which will make for a great show and tell?  Maybe you own a duplicate of something that can be offered to a young numismatist or through Coins for A’s program.  In this way a new person just might be able to grasp some interesting insight and find some motivation for his or her own collecting interests.

 

            The needs both locally and world-wide are great.  Even though we do not have unlimited resources, we all do have “expendable” funds, time, or perhaps collectible items that can be donated or in some other way moved along to help someone, maybe even to help another change a life for the better.

 

            Yes, I am a little more serious here than usual.  Suffice it to say the more I’ve learned and the more I’ve seen around here, and in other places, even some far away from here, the more I’m convinced that we are all challenged to be not only hospitable but also charitable, not only ones who collect but ones who also share generously.  I have always believed that we are here for each other. 

 

            I invite you to receive this challenge from one who is rapidly becoming an “O.P” himself.  Maybe we as a club can do something for the community beyond the usual scope of numismatics.  Of course we shall continue to do good work in the name of the Greater Houston Coin Club and of numismatics.  How about we talk about our options and do it long before eighty years have passed. 

            Have a blessed week . . . Richard

 

P.S.  FYI:  there is a great United Nations-based project which is designed to fight Malaria in Africa.  It is called Nothing but Nets.  I am familiar with it because the United Methodist Church is a major partner in the effort.   To read about Nothing but Nets please check out their web site:  http://www.nothingbutnets.net

 

              And yes,  there is room for this….

 

 

FYI:  Found this on eBay.  I watched it throughout its journey.  The note finally sold for $328, which is about $100 above market.  It wasn’t until the item closed that I took a really close look at it.  The note is genuine; the data filled out by hand on the note is spurious.  None of these notes were ever issued.  This particular bank, to be chartered in 1835, never opened.  When the Commercial and Agricultural Bank of Texas was finally opened, it was in Galveston in 1848.  In other words, the person purchasing the note bought an item upon which a little research might have been in order.

                      Regards and God Bless . . Richard