Color-man, 6 June, Central England
Today, I saw the town where William Shakespeare was born and the pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien drank and discussed. I saw Oxford University, its chapels and colleges, greater than Solomon's house and temple. I saw the house where Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke lived. England's history should not be over-romanticized. I know that. But think of its dominion, its colonies, its kings and queens and prime ministers, its poets, novelists, composers, musicians, explorers, scientists, and theologians. God blessed England and made his gospel prevail. And England has blessed us. We have received its language and literature and law and customs.
But England has turned away from God. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. At Stratford-upon-Avon, I saw some boys who, I fear, have forgotten their history and forgotten God. "That's what happens," Uncle Nat told me, "the old-timers get fat and forget God." And it will only take one or two generations to spoil that greatness.
Before many English soccer games, they sing hymns. One team sings, "Abide with me," and another sings, "Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah." Christopher Hitchens, a brilliant and famous writer from England, knows and admires the Bible. The traditions of Christianity fascinate him. But he attacks our faith, and calls it folly. At the Anglican Church service tonight, the boys choir sang three Psalms and the vicar read from the Bible. But the Church of England is liberal and dying. These three exchange the true glory of the immortal God for mere images.
All day long God holds out his hands to us. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. Remember, Jesus gives more grace.
A final, short word on Ms. Dorothy Thompson. After living in England for a year, Aunt Julie says that Ms. Thompson makes more sense. Her parents were British, and she was precise in many ways--in her choosing of cotton and linen, her needlework, mail, laundry, memorizing the psalms, notereading, her speech. Not stylish, but not happy-go-lucky American either. She was precise in a British way.
Sam
But England has turned away from God. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. At Stratford-upon-Avon, I saw some boys who, I fear, have forgotten their history and forgotten God. "That's what happens," Uncle Nat told me, "the old-timers get fat and forget God." And it will only take one or two generations to spoil that greatness.
Before many English soccer games, they sing hymns. One team sings, "Abide with me," and another sings, "Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah." Christopher Hitchens, a brilliant and famous writer from England, knows and admires the Bible. The traditions of Christianity fascinate him. But he attacks our faith, and calls it folly. At the Anglican Church service tonight, the boys choir sang three Psalms and the vicar read from the Bible. But the Church of England is liberal and dying. These three exchange the true glory of the immortal God for mere images.
All day long God holds out his hands to us. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. Remember, Jesus gives more grace.
A final, short word on Ms. Dorothy Thompson. After living in England for a year, Aunt Julie says that Ms. Thompson makes more sense. Her parents were British, and she was precise in many ways--in her choosing of cotton and linen, her needlework, mail, laundry, memorizing the psalms, notereading, her speech. Not stylish, but not happy-go-lucky American either. She was precise in a British way.
Sam
posted by Unknown at 9:14 AM
0 comments
