One man who refused to participate in or condone this terrible bitterness was General Robert E. Lee. In word and deed, Lee urged reconciliation between the North and South. He knew that the war was over and that the future of the nation demanded a new attitude for a new day. To the day of his death the "Gray Knight" was never heard to speak an unkind word about those who had formerly been his enemies. On one occasion, a lady in Virginia, where Lee lived after the war, showed him the scarred remains of a tree in her yard. The limbs had been shot by the Federal artillery during a raid. Thinking the General would share her outrage, she waited for him to comment. Finally, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear, and forget it. " Good advice for us as well!

1. Past slights, hurts, and wrongs. Brooding over injuries received at the hands of others will poison life. Forgive and forget. "Cut it down and forget it!"

2. Past losses, defeats, and failures. Regrets can chain us to the past. No defeat need to be final. No failure has to be permanent! Dwelling on past defeats can blind us to the opportunities for present victories. "Let the tree fall!"

3. Past sorrows, griefs, and heartaches. There is a time to mourn, but there is a time to live again, a time when we must see the hope and promise of better days ahead.

4. Past mistakes, transgressions, and sins. There is a power greater than sin. It is the power of Christ to forgive sin. Remorse over sin can turn to rejoicing over salvation.

In the words of Lee: "Cut it down and forget it.

The elders are pleased to announce that Ben Wright has accepted the job as preacher here at Orange Street. It is our prayer that there might be many more years of peace, harmony and growth of the Lord's church here at this place. Brother Wright is scheduled to start on or about September 17, 2000.

Restored

Our hearts are made to rejoice with the angels in heaven at the response of our sister Tammy Amidon this past Sunday morning. Keep Tammy in your daily prayers that she might have the strength to run the race that is before us and that we might all be of a mutual encouragement one to another.

After a three month summer break it is time to restart our "Guess Who's Coming For Dinner" program. We need hosts to sign up for the months they would like to host. There are information sheets in the foyer for those who might not be familiar with the program.

It's a Girl

Our congratulations to Bobby and Fay Wells on the birth of grand-daughter, Lindsey Jo Holt, (7 lbs, 12 oz) to parents Rebecca and Joe Holt, on July 14^th in Greenville, Tennessee.

Remember!

Sign-up sheets for the FSOP extension class to be offered here at Orange Street starting August 24^th need to be returned to one of the elders as soon as possible.

We met for prayer at 5:30 each Sunday evening in classroom #3.

Our youngsters meet at 5:40 each Sunday evening for a few minutes of story and song before worship services.

The greatest thing in Christianity is our traveling toward heaven. To reach heaven we must overcome temptation and evil as we travel the straight and narrow path, and no path can be covered by standing still.