Stewardship from a “Stone Quarry”

Our family has just returned from a weekend vacation that included a visit to an abandoned sandstone quarry in Akron, Ohio.  I know, that doesn’t sound very exciting.   But, that’s what we did, and a bit more.  

 Our family at the "stone quarry." (Photo by Bradley Silvius)

We wanted to share variety of activities together including the “stone quarry visit,” scenic hiking at Brandywine Falls within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and several indoor activities like eating, swimming, and a rousing table game of Rummikub at the hotel where we lodged for the weekend.  Included in our party, in addition to Abby and I, was our son Bradley and his wife Raquel; and, our daughter Mindy (Silvius) Salyers with her husband Steve, and two daughters, Kiara Maetta and Della Rose.

But, maybe you are still wondering why we wanted to visit an abandoned stone quarry.  For starters, visitors arriving at the entrance to the property containing the quarry will see a sign, “Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.”  The name “Stan Hywet” in Old English means “stone quarry” or “stone hewn.”   Our participation in a guided tour of the Manor afforded us with important lessons in local and American history for both the young and old among us.  Abby and I were especially blessed to accompany our offspring in what was our first return to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens since we enjoyed our junior-senior banquet there at the manor while we were students at Malone College, in 1968.  That was “ancient history” to our granddaughters.
  
Stan Hywet Manor House is the 64,500 square-foot home of the Frank A. Seiberling family, constructed from 1912 to 1915 on the edge of an old sandstone quarry overlooking the Cuyahoga River valley.  The original area of the estate was about 1,500 acres until parts of it were sold for community development or deeded to conserve green space in and around Akron and the Cuyahoga Valley.

In addition to the Manor House are the Gate Lodge and the Carriage House.  All three structures were part of an elaborate landscape plan that integrated the natural landscape with the buildings in order to accentuate the quarry and adjacent rolling hills.

Frank Seiberling, in partnership with his brother Charles, founded the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, named for Charles Goodyear, the man who had invented vulcanization of rubber in 1839.   Although Goodyear developed a number of rubber products, his business misfortunes and poor health left him penniless at his death, in 1860.  On the other hand, F.A. and Charles Seiberling, were very successful as a result of F.A.’s 19 patents.  The most famous patent was his Seiberling State Tire Building machine which was patented in 1908.  The machine mechanized tire building and eventually made Akron, OH the “Rubber Capital of the World.”

The inventive and entrepreneurial success of the Seiberling’s are impressive.  But I am most impressed by the way in which they exercised stewardship of the massive wealth they acquired.   For example, by 1910 F.A. Seiberling and his wife Gertrude began to discuss the construction of a larger home for their growing family.  But when they began land acquisition and plans for the Estate, F.A.’s elderly mother, Catherine, prevailed upon her son and daughter-in-law not to change residences so that their beloved family traditions could continue until her passing.  So, out of respect for their family, F.A., Gertrude, and children rented a house next door to his mother on E. Market St. in Akron.  They delayed creating Stan Hywet until after Catherine’s death, in 1911.

Another example of “Seiberling stewardship” became evident to me when our tour leader pointed to the crest above the Manor House entryway.  The phrase in Latin expressed the attitude of the Seiberling family  toward  their guests:  Non Nobis Solum (“Not for Us Alone”).   Throughout its existence as a family home and in the years since then, Stan Hywet has been a symbol of warm and gracious hospitality to friends, the Akron community, and visitors from all over the world.  According to Wikipedia, “ a 1937 Akron Beacon Journal article, stated on behalf of the Akron community, ‘One reason we all like the Seiberlings is because they never went ‘high hat’ on Akron…’” 

Not only did the Seiberling family open their great home to visitors, but F.A. exercised exemplary stewardship of his great wealth toward the Akron community and beyond.  According to the Akron Beacon Journal article cited above, F.A. Seiberling “used his fortune and influence to create fair housing, build a hospital, improve transportation both locally and nationally, preserve green space for the community’s enjoyment and fund countless arts and culture programs and organizations.  F.A. believed true prosperity was gained through the enlightenment and improvement of every citizen.  …perhaps no other local family ever enjoyed greater prosperity and achievement . . . yet they were never so busy as to turn a disinterested ear to any pleader for Akron’s future or civic welfare . . . No man in Akron ever had a broader conception of Akron’s civic problems than Frank Seiberling.”  The list of F.A. Seiberling’s philanthropic affiliations is extensive and varied.

As our family enjoyed the beautiful Tudor-style architecture and lovely landscaping which afforded wonderful avenues of ripening grapes, birches, and sycamore trees, my belief in the free enterprise system was renewed.  In spite of the positive role of free market economics in American history, we now live at a time when many young Americans are soured against capitalism in favor of the hollow promises of socialism.  Thankfully, the history of F.A.  Seiberling and family demonstrates the explosion of benefits to family, community, and nation that occurs when a successful entrepreneur creates and shares his wealth out of an understanding that his or her success is “Not for Us Alone,” but for the benefit of many.  This is the essence of good stewardship.

Like the sandstone rock foundation beneath Stan Hywet, many of the values of the Seiberling family were supported by a foundation of Christian faith.   According to the Stan Hywet archives, F.A.’s wife, Gertrude, was a devout Christian, raised in the Methodist faith.  After she married F.A. and they moved to Akron, “the Seiberling’s joined Trinity Lutheran Church where Gertrude was active in the choir.  …In 1933, like her daughter Irene and daughter‐in‐law Henrietta, Gertrude became interested in the Oxford Group, a spiritual group that sought enlightenment and self‐improvement in companion with organized religion.”

It was through the same Oxford fellowship of evangelicals that Henrietta Seiberling was instrumental in the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.   When co-founders, Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson, expressed reservations against including a biblical dimension in what became known as the “Twelve Steps” of AA, Henrietta replied,

Well, we’re not out to please the alcoholics.  They have been pleasing themselves all these years.  We are out to please God.  And if you don’t talk about what God does and your faith, and your guidance, then might as well be the Rotary Club or something like that.  Because God is your only source of Power.

In conclusion, our family was enriched to visit Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens together and to learn of the life and contributions of the Seiberling family.   Their example of hard work, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy has left a positive mark on the City of Akron and beyond because of their unselfish stewardship and commitment to something and Someone larger than themselves.  It was indeed fitting that the F.A. and Gertrude Seiberling Estate was named “Stan Hywet” or “rock hewn.”  In the Book of Isaiah, we read a reminder from Almighty God figuratively speaking that we should never forget the quarry from which we were dug, shaped, and given abilities to live a meaningful and fruitful life of service to God and to our neighbor as stewards.  The prophet writes,

Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance--all who seek the LORD!  Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined.

Non Nobis Solum… Ad Dei gloriam,  “Not for Us Alone…To God Be the Glory”

*     *    *    *
Dedication:  I've been inspired to dedicate this article to our friends Roger and Margaret Riffle who live not far from Stan Hywet Hall.  The Riffle's are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today, and I'm blessed to have served as Roger's best man on that special day, August 14, 1968.  Congratulations and much love to you, our dear friends.

Related Reading:
Stan Hywet Celebrates 100 Years 
There’s No Such Thing as Private Property, Oikonomia, March 28, 2015

For Further Thought:
Somewhat like the Seiberling family of the 20^th century is the generous philanthropy of NBA star, LeBron James, of the 21^st century.  It would be interesting to research the lives and the philanthropic impact of each upon the City of Akron and vicinity.  A somewhat related topic would be the potential danger when a community depends too much upon a relatively narrow economic base for its existence as was evident when the Akron community rose and fell in the 20^th century in response to the economic well being of its rubber industry.

A Man Who Sweetened and Enlightened the World

Recently, Abby and I traveled with other seniors from West Hill Baptist Church in a group known as “Caleb’s Kin” to visit Root Candles, a family-owned candle-making company in Medina, OH.  Root Candles was founded in 1869 by Amos Ives Root.  Now, after 145 years, Root Candles is under the management of the fifth generation of the Root family.  The company still produces industry-leading candles which testify to the values that marked its founder– a commitment to the virtues of honesty, integrity, and diligent craftsmanship.

Candle display at Root Candles store, Medina, OH

Upon entering the store, we were impressed with the beauty and variety of candles.  According to the company website, many contain the purest beeswax and elegantly designed essential oil fragrances…crafted with passion and perfection…consistently flawless, cleaner burning, [and] longer lasting….  The outstanding quality and consistency has made Root Candles a major supplier of liturgical candles as well as a favorite brand of candle-lovers worldwide.

As a farm boy in northern Ohio, Amos I. Root was an avid reader as well as a lover of God’s creation and the natural sciences.  He was fascinated with electricity and magnetism, and he soon began traveling to give lectures on these subjects.  As a young man, he became an accomplished and wealthy jewelry manufacturer. 

One day when Root was in his twenties, a swarm of bees stole his attention when it darkened his workplace, leading him to take up beekeeping.  Soon, Root’s curiosity and inventive spirit enabled him to develop the world’s first beehive from which honey could be extracted without destroying the hive.  Before long, Root was CEO of a large company in Medina, the A.I.Root Company, which was shipping as much as four railroad freight cars of beekeeping equipment each day.  Although the company eventually transitioned from manufacturing beekeeping equipment to manufacturing beeswax-containing candles, it has continued to publish Gleanings in Bee Culture since 1873.   Gleanings provided a vehicle in which Root shared not only practical suggestions to bee keepers, but also spiritual insights and applications based on his walk with God and his knowledge of the Scriptures.

According to “The Wright Stories” blog,

Religion was important facet of Root’s life. His employees were expected to attend daily prayer meetings on company time. He didn’t believe in drinking alcohol, smoking or working on Sunday. He believed that technological progress was a gift from God and would result in social betterment.

Because of his curious, inventive, and entrepreneurial spirit, A.I. Root, was invited by Wilbur and Orville Wright to observe their progress in development of a flying machine.  Root, at age 64, drove his 1903 Oldsmobile Runabout 200 miles on primitive roads from Medina to Huffman Prairie near Dayton, Ohio.  What would cause an elderly businessman to make such a trip?  The following quote from A.I. Root reveals how the Wright Brothers earned the respect of one they would learn to love and trust:

— These two, perhaps by accident, or maybe as a matter of taste, began studying the flights of birds and insects. From this they turned their attention to what has been done in the way of enabling men to fly. They not only studied nature, but they procured the best books, and I think I may say all the papers, the world contains on this subject.

Amos I. Root rides in the Wright Flyer

A man who had years before observed the working of bees and was inspired by his Creator God to launch both the honey industry and hobby beekeeping to new heights was now fascinated by the two brothers who were developing a flying machine based on their study of God’s amazing flying animals—birds and insects.

On September 20, 1904, Root was thrilled to observe the Wright Brothers’ first complete circle in an airplane.  His enthusiasm is evident in the following description:

When it first turned that circle, and came near the starting-point, I was right in front of it; and I said then, and believe still, it was one of the grandest sights, if not the grandest sight of my life. Imagine a locomotive that has left its track, and is climbing up in the air right toward you – a locomotive without any wheels, we will say, but with white wings instead, we will further say – a locomotive made of aluminum.

A.I. Root transformed his copious Huffman Field notes into a manuscript and the Wright brothers gave him permission to submit it for publication.  Root submitted the article to Scientific American but apparently the editor did not believe it was worthy of publication.  So, in 1905, an enthusiastic Root published what was to be the first account of the Wright brothers’ historic accomplishment in his own periodical, Gleanings in Bee Culture.  

Being a slow learner myself, I didn’t realize until after our trip to Root Candles and my additional reading on the life of A.I. Root just how appropriate it was for a group called “Caleb’s Kin” to become acquainted with this amazing man and his contributions to science, invention, business management, and aesthetic beauty.  Finally, like Caleb of the Old Testament Scriptures (e.g. Deuteronomy 1: 36), Amos I. Root was still ready for a new chapter of contribution when in his 60’s he was able to encourage the scientific efforts of the Wright brothers.

Amos I. Root with an inset photo of his plant in Medina, OH

The testimony of A.I. Root also speaks to what he and many other Christians have learned from Solomon, the great king and natural scientist, who wrote:  It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to discover and invent (Prov. 25:2).   Our great Creator has made us in His image.  As image bearers, we are each given various gifts and the opportunity to develop and exercise them with hard work, discipline, and a perspective of stewardship that helps us use the fruits of our creativity for the good of our neighbor.  It is the role of parents, church, communities, and government to nurture and encourage each person to exercise their particular gifts.  Thus, the light of a lovely Root Candle can be traced back to the loving nurture of young Amos Root by his parents on in a farm family in Ohio; and to a church and community that would further mark this man and his godly values. 

Root became a wealthy man but not at the expense of the prosperity of others.  Instead, his inventive and entrepreneurial spirit multiplied the wealth and prosperity of thousands associated with his science and invention.  Today, the light of Root candles gives testimony to the Light of God’s Truth that burned within Amos Root and kept him from hoarding his gains or abusing others.  Furthermore, his life reminds us that a person unburdened by unwise laws and taxation can prosper his community and world when he or she is disciplined by the law of love for God and neighbor within their heart.  May Root’s example remind us all that God and His Word is the essential source of our freedom and prosperity which in turn depend upon individual integrity, responsibility, and hard work.

But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;
And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.
Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;
And let the fish of the sea declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?  -- Job 12: 7-10

Disintegration of the United States of America

Many would agree that America has made great strides toward ethnic integration during the past half century.  At the same time, integration of telephone, television, and other digital technology through the world wide web has produced a remarkable expansion in communications.

According to the dictionary, integration is “the process of making whole or entire.”  For an individual or part, integration is “the process of fitting in.” Thus, integration of ethnic minorities involves individuals that ‘fit into’ communities; meanwhile, the community is being “made whole or complete.”  Metaphorically, a cake baked from well stirred ingredients will have the same color and consistency throughout because the individual ingredients have been integrated.  Conversely, an integrated community or nation, would not have pockets of separation (segregation) in which minorities are excluded or at odds with the larger social-political dynamic.  Rather, each individual is given the opportunity to participate in making the community or nation complete.

In his inaugural address, January 20, 2009, Barak Obama emphasized our progress as a nation toward becoming an integrated whole (emphasis mine):

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.  We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers.  We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself…

Inauguration of Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

Three and one-half years after the president’s inauguration, our daily news is filled with indications that we are becoming more divided as a nation.  Instead of integrating and expressing “our common humanity” around commonly held values and mutual respect for ethnic, cultural, and political diversity, we are “disintegrating” into an increasing number of factions.

A dictionary defines disintegration as-- “to break into parts; dismember; dissolve.”  Things that disintegrate do not actually “disappear.”  Rather, they break into parts too tiny for us to see, like table salt crystals that “disappear” when stirred into water.  Each salt crystal, composed of billions of precisely arranged atoms forming a latticework is “disintegrated” or “dissolved” by the water.  The tiny charged atoms escape from the lattice into the water where they begin a constant, chaotic motion.

Contributing to our current “disintegration” in America is the president’s seeming inability to achieve a bi-partisan effort to rejuvenate the economy, address the growing federal deficit, curb spiraling health care costs, and establish a workable immigration policy.  The Obama campaign, perhaps frustrated by these failed efforts, now seems to promote disagreement and division rather than unity of purpose in the midst of economic hardship. 

Let’s look closer at two evidences of “disintegration” in America-- the “contraceptive mandate” within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare); and, the president’s push to increase government revenue through higher taxes on wealthy Americans.  Please note that both of these examples of “disintegration” stem from an absence of “integration” of principles rooted in Judeo-Christian values which historically have been interwoven through the moral and ethical fabric of individuals, families, and communities.

Kirk Cameron, in his film production, “Monumental:  In Search of America’s National Treasure,” traces the influence of Judeo-Christian faith on the founding of America.  In the 17^th century, the integration of their Christian faith into daily life prompted Puritan separatists to risk great danger to escape to a little-known continent to gain the freedom to worship and practice their faith.  The influence of their covenant, expressed in the Mayflower Compact, on colonial culture over the following century and a half was instrumental in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

With that brief history, let’s return to our two expressions of disintegration in America.  The first relates to the “contraceptive mandate” which would exempt churches but require faith-based institutions to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives, abortifacients, and abortion-related counseling.  Many people of faith oppose this portion of ObamaCare because they see it as a threat to religious freedom. As a result, the federal government now faces 24 lawsuits.

Anthony Picarello and Michael Moses, leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, summarized the moral and legal concerns of church leaders who object to the “…narrow exemption that intrusively and unlawfully carves up the religious community into those that are deemed 'religious enough' for an exemption, and those that are not.”  The idea that Americans can be divided between those who are “religious employees” and those who aren’t suggests a misunderstanding or a denial or even a disdain on the part of the current administration for what it means to “live out ones faith” or to “integrate” ones faith convictions with their personal and professional lifestyle outside of church.

There is a second area in which the “carving knife” is at work on the fabric that has held Americans together.  One can see the gleam of the knife at work when we hear talk of the “unfairness” in the tax code that supposedly favors the wealthy.   We are continually reminded that each American occupies one of three groups-- “the rich,” “the middle class,” and “the poor.”  Here is a now-famous statement by President Obama on the subject of creating and earning wealth:

If you've got a business, you didn't build that.  Somebody else made that happen.
                                – President Barack Obama, July 16, 2012 (Roanoke, VA)

President Obama appears to be suggesting that American entrepreneurs rely so much on the social, economic, and technological infrastructure that they should not mind giving more of their incomes to the government through higher taxes. The president may mean well by saying this, but his statements betray a woeful lack of integration of Judeo-Christian teaching with the entrepreneurial spirit.   Consider how the president’s challenge might sound if it were based on an understanding of biblical truth—here expressed by the Apostle Paul: 

For who regards you as superior?
What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?   -- I  Corinthians 4:7

Saint Paul’s statement, unlike the president’s, challenges successful entrepreneurs to remember that human capability to earn or create wealth has been permitted by the grace of God, and that he or she is a steward of the power and position God has granted.  Thus, the Scriptural teaching has none of the president’s tone that has led to a divisive and destructive response within our national narrative.  Instead, it credits God, not government as being ultimately responsible for any prosperity we enjoy.

A regular awareness of our dependence upon God should foster a humble stewardship that recognizes that, as we earn or create wealth, we have a responsibility to be generous and to give joyfully to others and to worthy causes.  This obligation is further underscored through another principle of Scripture expressed in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (emphasis mine):

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor,
performing with his own hands what is good,
so that he will have something to share with one who has need.  
                                                                                 – Ephesians 4:28

Here, the Scriptures emphasize not only the value of hard work and earning an income; but also that we use our income as a channel of God’s provision for those in need.  Rather than President Obama’s approach to “social justice” in which the government is the agency of “wealth redistribution,” the Scriptures appeal to the hearts of people who are blessed with talents, time, and treasures to act voluntarily and generosity to share with the needy of for worthy causes.  If God’s people were to (a) recognize Who it is that has given them the abilities to gain wealth, and then (b) become committed to use their talent, time, and treasures to provide loving help (not handouts) to the needy, the resulting acts from thousands of people acting at the local level would transform individuals and our communities in much more effective ways than welfare programs from far-away Washington.

Historically, a vast number of Americans have exercised great generosity, many having done so as a result of the very faith in and gratitude toward God that we have been describing.  May this spirit be encouraged by a correct understanding of the nature of man, the proper role of government, and the responsibility of individuals to work hard and be generous toward God and neighbor.  May we not abuse the stewardship of our freedoms which have allowed us to strive together as Americans against forces that would disintegrate our families, communities, and nation.

 Prayer:   Father in Heaven, thank you for our freedom in Christ, available to whoever believes and accepts the free gift of eternal life, purchased at the priceless cost of Jesus’ shed blood on the cross for us while we were yet sinners; guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection from the dead, and affirmed by His gift of the Holy Spirit.   Thank you for endowing us, as affirmed in the U.S. Constitution, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, You have seen fit to allow …Governments [to be] instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed….  How blessed we are that America has been founded on principles from Your Word,  and as a result has achieved what no other nation in history has in the way of religious freedom and the accompanying social and cultural successes.  America has been and still is an “exceptional nation.”   Thank You for our leaders who recognize Your authority, and their individual accountability, first to You and Your Word, and then to their constituency.  Grant wisdom to President Obama and to all elected officials and the justices who serve in the courts at every level.  Give these “civil servants” courage to reject political expediency or personal gain for the sake of what honors You and what is best for the individuals, families, and communities of this great land.  As a result, may we continue to have the freedom to labor, to worship and serve You, and to demonstrate Christ’s love to others both at home and abroad.  Finally, help us to understand the respective roles of government and of each individual citizen and not to confuse the two lest we become more and more a nation of entitlement leading to obsession with “our rights” at the expense of striving as faithful stewards to be fruitful and generous spirits that offer assistance to those who need help to become what God intends them to be.    Amen.