Magic Statistics

Isaac Watts, one of the greatest hymn-writers in the English language, died on this day in 1748. Although he was a Nonconformist pastor, his hymns are sung today in churches around the world and in virtually all denominations: Anglican, Reformed, Catholic, Evangelical. Among his works are such well-loved hymns as:

Alas, and did my Savior bleed

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (based on Ps 72)

This is the day the Lord hath made (based on Ps 118)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come (based on Ps 98)

Give us the wings of faith to rise

Come, let us join our cheerful songs

O God, our help in ages past

Come, we that love the Lord

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove

I sing th'almighty power of God

My Shepherd will supply my need

When I survey the wondrous cross

Todd Granger, The Confessing Reader, has posted a biography, collect, and Scripture readings in his honour. The Isaac Watts page at The Cyber Hymnal lists 494 hymns.

It's politics, Jim, but not as we know it. Paul Hellyer, former federal Cabinet minister, has taken a forthright stand in support of protecting extraterrestrials.

A former Canadian Minister of Defence has joined forces with three Non-governmental organizations to ask the Parliament of Canada to hold public hearings on with Alien ET Civilizations. Paul Hellyer, Canada’s Defence Minister from 1963-67 under Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prime Minister Lester Pearson, publicly stated: "UFOs, are as real as the airplanes that fly over your head." Hellyer warned, "The United States military are preparing weapons which could be used against the aliens, and they could get us into an intergalactic war without us ever having any warning."

Mr. Hellyer went on to say, "I'm so concerned about what the consequences might be of starting an intergalactic war, that I just think I had to say something."

How about making a point of associating Mr Hellyer with "Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Prime Minister Lester Pearson"? Could someone be using the good name of our late PM Mike Pearson in an attempt to confer an aura of rationality on Hellyer's ravings? Too bad Mike's not here to defend himself.

This is the scariest part: "Hellyer’s speech ended with a standing ovation". He spoke at the University of Toronto.

This should be an issue in the upcoming federal election: Paul Martin, what will your government do to ensure safety for extraterrestrials? How will you protect their Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person (assuming they are "persons")? Canadians want to know!

Did I mention that Mr Hellyer was a Liberal Cabinet Minister? (I know that's not fair to sane Liberals, but I couldn't resist.)

via Dust My Broom.