Many, many folks died in the 19th century from “milk sickness.”  This disease was characterized by trembling, vomiting and severe intestinal pain.  It was caused by drinking milk from cows who had ingested white snakeroot.  
The treatment of the day was bloodletting but it did little to cure anyone.  Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks, died from the sickness as did one of his sisters and her baby.  During this time, there were very meager medical resources.  Sickness and death were rampant.  
All of this is eloquently described in a masterpiece by Carl Sandburg.  It is entitled Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years.  In it are searing descriptions of life during the pioneer days.  
He writes that their hands became gnarled “like the roots of the oak tree.”   I cannot even imagine the hardships these forefathers endured.
It is encouraging that Sandburg also writes about the importance of the Lord’s day back in those days.  As difficult as their lives were, many faithful pioneers gathered in crude churches they had built to hear a circuit-riding preacher.   One song they sang:
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
These pioneers knew that there was a land waiting for them elsewhere.  They looked forward to it with a great faith!  They believed their heavenly Father was fixing them a house in which they would dwell for eternity.  
Sandburg declares that this faith is what kept those pioneers going, that built America, and made it great.  I humbly agree and would add it is what keeps America going...even as we face so much unrest and insecurity.  Even though countless have turned their back on the Creator, countless have turned TO HIM and still worship Him.  
It is encouraging to look back centuries ago and find such strong faith, inspiration and hope. I am so grateful for the pioneers’ enduring faith.   My prayer is that my life and witness will provide inspiration and hope to future generations as well.