History is one of God’s kindnesses. Through reading it he allows us to rehearse our futures a thousand times over. Consider, for example, 1 Timothy 6:6-7: “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” In one sense, I have not yet experienced the end of verse 7 (”we cannot take anything out of the world”). But in another very real sense, I have.

During the winter of 1776, British and colonial forces were at a standoff. The redcoats were cornered in Boston while the ragtag American army encircled them around the perimeter. Finally, in a surprise move in early March, George Washington ordered his troops to set up defenses under the cover of night at nearby Dorchester Heights. Seeing that the colonial army had the unexpected upper hand, the British packed up shop and sailed away, bringing a number of civilians with them who were loyal to their cause. The hasty exit forced many to leave valuable belongings behind.

A man named Reverend Henry Caner reported his losses. David McCullough tells his story in the book “1776“:

“As rector of King’s Chapel, the first Anglican church in Boston, the Reverend Caner was the leading Church of England clergyman in Massachusetts and a greatly respected figure among all denominations. He had been rector for nearly thirty years and lived alone in a small farm house close to King’s Chapel, at the corner of School and Tremont streets. In his account of ‘goods left in my house at Boston, March 10, 1776,’ he listed, among other items: ‘a handsome clock,’ two mahogany tables, teacups and saucers, ‘one rich carved mahogany desk and book case (with) glass doors,’ pictures of the King and Queen ‘under glass with rich frames,’ a pair of brass andirons [used to hold up logs in a fireplace], ‘a fine harpsichord,’ 1,000 books, a barn and ‘appurtenances,’ a cow and a calf” (pg. 100).

When I read an account like this, it puts skin on a text like 1 Timothy 6:7 and I am reminded once again to not store up for myself treasures on earth, where ships and military stealth force me to leave them behind.

The harpsichord stays, Johnathon. The harpsichord stays.