Like a dog with a favorite bone, I would like to gnaw a bit longer on the primary subject of the last two entries. I alluded long ago to what I perceive to be the chief perpetrator of malicious mental attacks against the Christian Science Church and Christian Scientists. I have whipped up a hasty, and probably tasteless, confection in which lies an unambiguous clue to the source I sense of the evil. Of course, I could be as misdirected as Wrong-Way Corrigan (I hope I am not going to get thrown for a big loss on the name.), but I have sound reasons, sound to me at any rate, for my convictions. If I am correct or on a valid scent it is not a threat to be, or to have been, frivolously dismissed. Why not just come out with it and quit playing games? Every playful and silly dog must have his romp I guess, or perhaps to give the fortunate readers of this entry the thrill of a chase or a chance to wrestle with, or at least kick around, their own suspicions, assuming they have any--or care at all about this Sherlockian enterprise.
A lidless stare, the serpent does not blink.
Mit schlag of Christly seemingness, it lies.
Do servants watch and scour each hidden chink?
Get wise to secret snares and crush these spies.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Scotching Satan's Serpentine Seductions
Mrs. Eddy tells us that the nothingness of nothing is plain, but nowhere that I recall does she say, or even imply, that the subtlety of subtlety is plain. Would that it were. It is the nature of the beast, animal magnetism, to anesthetize consciousness, in somewhat the pernicious way carbon monoxide acts--silent, odorless, and unseen. Thus the necessity that our watch be wakeful, spiritually active, and imbued with a keen sensitivity to anything that is unlike God, which of course means we had better be well acquainted with Him. Other things than gentle lambs come in lamb's clothing.
If the old westerns are to be believed, one of the tricks employed by Indians attacking a circled wagon train was to hang off the side of their horses on the side away from the beleaguered defenders so that only a horse was visible to them. The Indians would then shoot either under the neck or over the back. (That paleface's speaking with forked tongue--or worse, much worse--invited retaliation, is beside the point here.) A horse is all mortal mind, animal magnetism, wants us to see.
Mrs. Eddy sounded the tocsin repeatedly in her writings on the dangers of a flaccid sentinel. In addition to the quote in the previous entry there is the well-known citation on page 442 of Science and Health, lines 30-32, and page 114 of Miscellaneous Writings, lines 21-26. It should also be remembered that a sentry or porter is posted at the front door, not the bedroom door or closet door. The discovery of an intruding evil in the act of ransacking our mental drawers or snuggling up with us in bed is not the ideal time or place to deal with it, though we grow from those kinds of experiences too.
After my last posting I thought about Mrs Eddy's unexpected, to me, choice of the word "criminal" in the quote from Science and Health used. The Student's Reference Dictionary has, in part, this definition of criminal (noun): "a violator of law, divine or human." And, in part, from criminal (adjective): "That violates moral obligation; wicked." Our in-baskets need to be constantly subjected to diligent scrutiny, else we too might be wondering like King George III how the devil that apple got in our dumpling.
Note: "'Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with,' the Mock Turtle replied, 'and the different branches of Arithmetic--Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.'" (Lewis Carroll, from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
If the old westerns are to be believed, one of the tricks employed by Indians attacking a circled wagon train was to hang off the side of their horses on the side away from the beleaguered defenders so that only a horse was visible to them. The Indians would then shoot either under the neck or over the back. (That paleface's speaking with forked tongue--or worse, much worse--invited retaliation, is beside the point here.) A horse is all mortal mind, animal magnetism, wants us to see.
Mrs. Eddy sounded the tocsin repeatedly in her writings on the dangers of a flaccid sentinel. In addition to the quote in the previous entry there is the well-known citation on page 442 of Science and Health, lines 30-32, and page 114 of Miscellaneous Writings, lines 21-26. It should also be remembered that a sentry or porter is posted at the front door, not the bedroom door or closet door. The discovery of an intruding evil in the act of ransacking our mental drawers or snuggling up with us in bed is not the ideal time or place to deal with it, though we grow from those kinds of experiences too.
After my last posting I thought about Mrs Eddy's unexpected, to me, choice of the word "criminal" in the quote from Science and Health used. The Student's Reference Dictionary has, in part, this definition of criminal (noun): "a violator of law, divine or human." And, in part, from criminal (adjective): "That violates moral obligation; wicked." Our in-baskets need to be constantly subjected to diligent scrutiny, else we too might be wondering like King George III how the devil that apple got in our dumpling.
Note: "'Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with,' the Mock Turtle replied, 'and the different branches of Arithmetic--Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.'" (Lewis Carroll, from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
"Let no man deceive you by any means"
Beware the Jabberwok, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
(Lewis Carroll)
The danger is more immediate , more malicious, more persistent, and more subtle than many of us suspect. Our unleashed minds relax and wander aimlessly through gardens of earthly delights, heedless of the vipers lurking patient and unseen, ready to strike. The skulking mental assassin, the shameless stooge, the self-righteous and unprincipled toady, the selfish, cutthroat opportunist--those who wittingly and unwittingly serve the Prince of Darkness in the name of God--they all lie waiting in ambush for the unwary, faithful, and dedicated Christian Scientist. It is probably no accident that I am currently reading Shakespeare's "Richard III", who is the very model of the smooth-tongued villain.
Rushing in where an angel would fear to tread, I have made missteps, which I have tried to acknowledge. The poet Theodore Roethke has a lovely line, which I hope I quote correctly: "I learn by going where I have to go." One is not obligated to chain himself sine die to past indiscretions and excesses. To the contrary.
It was not mere coincidence that I turned this week to the Bible Lesson of 20 November 1898, then called "Ancient and Modern Necromancy; or, Mesmerism and Hypnotism". It is a powerful lesson, taking for its Golden Text and Responsive Reading (and I the title of this entry) II Thessalonians 2: 1-13. It was as if God had laid a necessary feast before me saying "Read and Heed!"
Two malignant influences are, I feel, at the bottom of what is going on sub rosa. One is a disgusting, disloyal attempt which has been going on for many years until it now pervades the entire Church and its branches, all of it cynically masked by a thick fog of sophistry, to discredit and demean Mary Baker Eddy and question, downplay, and erode her place as Leader, now and always.
The other pernicious influence, also long-standing and pervasive, I will leave nameless, like the yet undiscovered melody which Elgar said runs through his "Enigma Variations". I have alluded to it almost from the outset of this blog. The name 666 will do for the nonce. At the risk of being accused of effrontery I humbly admonish all loyal Christian Scientists not to ignore either of these issues. "So secret are the present methods of animal magnetism that they ensnare the age into indolence, and produce the very apathy on the subject which the criminal desires." (S&H 102: 20-23)
Finally, a more personal issue. Accusations of vituperation and logomachy, just and unjust, come with the territory, but the snarky and mean-spirited characterization of kind comments made on this blog as fawning adulation is crass and uncalled-for. In the Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only", I think, the faux-contessa says "Me nightie's slipping." Something has slipped somewhere else as well, but what has been revealed this time isn't pulchritude, but smacks of the venomous spume of jealousy and resentment. I have never in any of my 185+ entries angled for flattering comments or for comments of any kind, nor have I ever suggested my example was a brightly-shining star to which lesser mortals should be eternally grateful to hitch their humble wagons. I appreciate all sincere, kind comments as well as sincere but less kind ones. I have profited from both. Only an unchristian churl would find something to sneer at in that.
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
(Lewis Carroll)
The danger is more immediate , more malicious, more persistent, and more subtle than many of us suspect. Our unleashed minds relax and wander aimlessly through gardens of earthly delights, heedless of the vipers lurking patient and unseen, ready to strike. The skulking mental assassin, the shameless stooge, the self-righteous and unprincipled toady, the selfish, cutthroat opportunist--those who wittingly and unwittingly serve the Prince of Darkness in the name of God--they all lie waiting in ambush for the unwary, faithful, and dedicated Christian Scientist. It is probably no accident that I am currently reading Shakespeare's "Richard III", who is the very model of the smooth-tongued villain.
Rushing in where an angel would fear to tread, I have made missteps, which I have tried to acknowledge. The poet Theodore Roethke has a lovely line, which I hope I quote correctly: "I learn by going where I have to go." One is not obligated to chain himself sine die to past indiscretions and excesses. To the contrary.
It was not mere coincidence that I turned this week to the Bible Lesson of 20 November 1898, then called "Ancient and Modern Necromancy; or, Mesmerism and Hypnotism". It is a powerful lesson, taking for its Golden Text and Responsive Reading (and I the title of this entry) II Thessalonians 2: 1-13. It was as if God had laid a necessary feast before me saying "Read and Heed!"
Two malignant influences are, I feel, at the bottom of what is going on sub rosa. One is a disgusting, disloyal attempt which has been going on for many years until it now pervades the entire Church and its branches, all of it cynically masked by a thick fog of sophistry, to discredit and demean Mary Baker Eddy and question, downplay, and erode her place as Leader, now and always.
The other pernicious influence, also long-standing and pervasive, I will leave nameless, like the yet undiscovered melody which Elgar said runs through his "Enigma Variations". I have alluded to it almost from the outset of this blog. The name 666 will do for the nonce. At the risk of being accused of effrontery I humbly admonish all loyal Christian Scientists not to ignore either of these issues. "So secret are the present methods of animal magnetism that they ensnare the age into indolence, and produce the very apathy on the subject which the criminal desires." (S&H 102: 20-23)
Finally, a more personal issue. Accusations of vituperation and logomachy, just and unjust, come with the territory, but the snarky and mean-spirited characterization of kind comments made on this blog as fawning adulation is crass and uncalled-for. In the Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only", I think, the faux-contessa says "Me nightie's slipping." Something has slipped somewhere else as well, but what has been revealed this time isn't pulchritude, but smacks of the venomous spume of jealousy and resentment. I have never in any of my 185+ entries angled for flattering comments or for comments of any kind, nor have I ever suggested my example was a brightly-shining star to which lesser mortals should be eternally grateful to hitch their humble wagons. I appreciate all sincere, kind comments as well as sincere but less kind ones. I have profited from both. Only an unchristian churl would find something to sneer at in that.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Beguiled
Serpent. Yo toots! I saw you taking a gander at the fruit on this handsome tree. Words can't describe how good and the sweet the fruit is. You need to taste it for yourself.
Eve. He said we weren't even supposed to touch it, but it's sure yummy to look at. I'll give you that.
S. Why would He put it there if you weren't meant to nosh on it? He may have gotten bored and wanted to test your reaction to my complimentary schmoozing and chipper talking up.
E. Yes, and maybe there is good and then there is GOOD, and just maybe that fruit is only a tempting knockoff sort of good, something to appeal to "channels of sense, intellect, and aspirations". [Dummelow via time warp]
S. Sweetie, the fruit on this tree has more delights than a Swiss army knife. Talk about good! You can whip up a fruit salad from this tree that would be the envy of a platoon of North Korean generals. Look at some of these endorsements: "Lip smackin' good", "So sweet and good you'll think you're on a date with Elvis", "More gorgeous than Gorgeous George", and "Grrrreat!" (from Tony the Tiger no less).
E. Well, I can't deny I get a goose-bumpy tingle when I look at that tree, and every coruscating fruit has, I see, a little seal of approval from someone (in microscopic print). Still, He said don't think about touching it.
S. Pshaw! Quit being such a dweeb. With an attitude like that you'll never get invited to a wingding or chosen to be a Bachelorette. Maybe the Lord God only said "Hands Off" until He could open a Walmart and you and that palooka over there could rustle up some duds to cover up the petty annoyance of guilt and shame.
E. Guilt? Shame?
S. Bon appetit!
Eve. He said we weren't even supposed to touch it, but it's sure yummy to look at. I'll give you that.
S. Why would He put it there if you weren't meant to nosh on it? He may have gotten bored and wanted to test your reaction to my complimentary schmoozing and chipper talking up.
E. Yes, and maybe there is good and then there is GOOD, and just maybe that fruit is only a tempting knockoff sort of good, something to appeal to "channels of sense, intellect, and aspirations". [Dummelow via time warp]
S. Sweetie, the fruit on this tree has more delights than a Swiss army knife. Talk about good! You can whip up a fruit salad from this tree that would be the envy of a platoon of North Korean generals. Look at some of these endorsements: "Lip smackin' good", "So sweet and good you'll think you're on a date with Elvis", "More gorgeous than Gorgeous George", and "Grrrreat!" (from Tony the Tiger no less).
E. Well, I can't deny I get a goose-bumpy tingle when I look at that tree, and every coruscating fruit has, I see, a little seal of approval from someone (in microscopic print). Still, He said don't think about touching it.
S. Pshaw! Quit being such a dweeb. With an attitude like that you'll never get invited to a wingding or chosen to be a Bachelorette. Maybe the Lord God only said "Hands Off" until He could open a Walmart and you and that palooka over there could rustle up some duds to cover up the petty annoyance of guilt and shame.
E. Guilt? Shame?
S. Bon appetit!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Getting The Lead, And The Apple, Out
The independently owned and operated Tophets we endure from time to time, or even more or less constantly, are there by invitation only, invitations hurried along, no doubt, by fear or befuddled wonderment at mortal mind's many kaleidoscopic spectacles and seamy sideshows.
There are probably times when we wonder, like King George III of England when confronted with an apple dumpling, "how, how the devil got the apple in?" [His fluency in English was never a strong suit.] ("Historic Side-Lights", Howard Payson Arnold) If the porters at the door of our consciousnesses are snoozing instead of watching we are going to be admitting a sinister gallimaufry of undeveloped negatives (in more senses than one). Once past the dozing porters they go to our mental dark rooms, where they are developed (again, possibly in more senses than one) and then "voila" [sorry about the missing accent grave, LowlyWise] or, more precisely, "quelle horreur!" Some are even sent to the enlarger, and the Gulliver's disgust at the sight of the Brobdingnagians is small beer compared to those enlarged and unwelcome horrors. By then, however, mortal mind has run up its Jolly Roger and we bitterly rue our failure to post a diligent watch.
The rudely awakened or startled student of Christian Science may be tempted at such a juncture to "floor it", to flee in a squeel of smoking tires from the pestilential Blackbeard (I know, he was a pirate, not a NASCAR driver.) , after the manner of the person Stephen Leacock describes who "flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions", but sedulous, consecrated, and patient study and prayer are needed, not a frantic Nathan's Famous gorging to make up for lost time. Better to post a dedicated doorman and then add a solid plank a day to our bridge from matter to Spirit than be forced to attempt a leap in unsure, unseemly, and Skivvied hasted over the frightful chasm we ourselves have occasioned.
There are probably times when we wonder, like King George III of England when confronted with an apple dumpling, "how, how the devil got the apple in?" [His fluency in English was never a strong suit.] ("Historic Side-Lights", Howard Payson Arnold) If the porters at the door of our consciousnesses are snoozing instead of watching we are going to be admitting a sinister gallimaufry of undeveloped negatives (in more senses than one). Once past the dozing porters they go to our mental dark rooms, where they are developed (again, possibly in more senses than one) and then "voila" [sorry about the missing accent grave, LowlyWise] or, more precisely, "quelle horreur!" Some are even sent to the enlarger, and the Gulliver's disgust at the sight of the Brobdingnagians is small beer compared to those enlarged and unwelcome horrors. By then, however, mortal mind has run up its Jolly Roger and we bitterly rue our failure to post a diligent watch.
The rudely awakened or startled student of Christian Science may be tempted at such a juncture to "floor it", to flee in a squeel of smoking tires from the pestilential Blackbeard (I know, he was a pirate, not a NASCAR driver.) , after the manner of the person Stephen Leacock describes who "flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions", but sedulous, consecrated, and patient study and prayer are needed, not a frantic Nathan's Famous gorging to make up for lost time. Better to post a dedicated doorman and then add a solid plank a day to our bridge from matter to Spirit than be forced to attempt a leap in unsure, unseemly, and Skivvied hasted over the frightful chasm we ourselves have occasioned.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
"Simplify, simplify."
"Our life is frittered away by detail. . . . Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumbnail. . . . Simplify, simplify." (Henry David Thoreau, from Walden)
Advice more relevant today than when he wrote it over 150 years ago. No reader would be poorer for the investment of time required to read Thoreau's major works. He is a magnificent and highly idiosyncratic thinker and writer, probably the finest America has produced.
To return to my last from that brief obiter dictum, I will once again let another have the floor. (This approach to blogging could get to be a habit.) I was much impressed by an article in the Salvation Army's April 10 "War Cry", "Divine Interruption" by Whitney Von Lake Hopler. I don't have the space, or permission, to reprint the entire, fairly short, article, but here are the six simple points, plus one brief exerpt, she made.
1. Make yourself available for God's assignments.
2. Take time to actively listen for God's voice.
3. Focus on God's plans rather than your own.
4. Keep eternity in view. . . . Remember that not all urgent activities are important ones.
5. Pray for the grace to respond to people's needs with compassion instead of irritation.
6. Don't let fear stop you.
"The War Cry" is published biweekly and is well worth $10 (yes $10) for one year, $19 for two years, or a whopping $28 for three years. If you are interested in subscribing call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. I don't think any Christian would find it money ill spent.
Advice more relevant today than when he wrote it over 150 years ago. No reader would be poorer for the investment of time required to read Thoreau's major works. He is a magnificent and highly idiosyncratic thinker and writer, probably the finest America has produced.
To return to my last from that brief obiter dictum, I will once again let another have the floor. (This approach to blogging could get to be a habit.) I was much impressed by an article in the Salvation Army's April 10 "War Cry", "Divine Interruption" by Whitney Von Lake Hopler. I don't have the space, or permission, to reprint the entire, fairly short, article, but here are the six simple points, plus one brief exerpt, she made.
1. Make yourself available for God's assignments.
2. Take time to actively listen for God's voice.
3. Focus on God's plans rather than your own.
4. Keep eternity in view. . . . Remember that not all urgent activities are important ones.
5. Pray for the grace to respond to people's needs with compassion instead of irritation.
6. Don't let fear stop you.
"The War Cry" is published biweekly and is well worth $10 (yes $10) for one year, $19 for two years, or a whopping $28 for three years. If you are interested in subscribing call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. I don't think any Christian would find it money ill spent.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sticking To Our Guns
There is something appealing, to a certain turn of mind at any rate, about the Stetsoned, two six-shootered gunslinger, squinting gimlet-eyed before him, face bronzed by years in scorching desert suns and chiseled by searing heat and wind-driven sand. Maybe the stump of an old cheroot clinched defiantly in his teeth. Ever alert and ready to take on any foe or confront any danger.
All Scientists would do well to pack the two six-shooters of the Truth: the Bible and Science and Health. It is essential that Christian Scientists be ever alert to error and quick on the draw with these two powerful sources of inspiration and spiritual strength. The distaff reader may not find the initial picture appealing, with or without the cheroot, and this fanciful image is not meant to suggest that the gentler sex should become metaphysical Ma Barkers. Maybe Annie Oakleys. But we all need those two powerful sources of Truth, Life, and Love and must know how to use them instantly through a familiarity gained only by constant, daily "practice" therewith and humble, contrite prayer for increased understanding of God and His creation. It is the only way out of mortal mind and on and up to greater conscious unity with God.
Greenhorn bravado and temerity will not long suffice for him (or her) armed only with the single six-shooter of daily exerpts from our textbooks. Such as they will ultimately discover there is as much fire power in one of those phony scripted smooches on "The Bachelorette" as in a foolish reliance on anything but the books, both whole books, and nothing but the books. We are told by Christ Jesus that we must know the Scriptures and by Mary Baker Eddy that we must study and ponder both. I know no way to follow these commands without constantly belting them on our hips, so to speak, i.e., keeping them always at our fingertips. And using them faithfully each day.
Note: To Thanks Much, I think G&S and Big-endian were explained. I would add that the egg argument was over which end of the egg to eat from. It was meant to poke fun--and probably more. The Big-endians were Catholics and Little-endians Protestants, so I am told.
All Scientists would do well to pack the two six-shooters of the Truth: the Bible and Science and Health. It is essential that Christian Scientists be ever alert to error and quick on the draw with these two powerful sources of inspiration and spiritual strength. The distaff reader may not find the initial picture appealing, with or without the cheroot, and this fanciful image is not meant to suggest that the gentler sex should become metaphysical Ma Barkers. Maybe Annie Oakleys. But we all need those two powerful sources of Truth, Life, and Love and must know how to use them instantly through a familiarity gained only by constant, daily "practice" therewith and humble, contrite prayer for increased understanding of God and His creation. It is the only way out of mortal mind and on and up to greater conscious unity with God.
Greenhorn bravado and temerity will not long suffice for him (or her) armed only with the single six-shooter of daily exerpts from our textbooks. Such as they will ultimately discover there is as much fire power in one of those phony scripted smooches on "The Bachelorette" as in a foolish reliance on anything but the books, both whole books, and nothing but the books. We are told by Christ Jesus that we must know the Scriptures and by Mary Baker Eddy that we must study and ponder both. I know no way to follow these commands without constantly belting them on our hips, so to speak, i.e., keeping them always at our fingertips. And using them faithfully each day.
Note: To Thanks Much, I think G&S and Big-endian were explained. I would add that the egg argument was over which end of the egg to eat from. It was meant to poke fun--and probably more. The Big-endians were Catholics and Little-endians Protestants, so I am told.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
This and That
CS Practitioner was wondering if Mrs. Eddy would use the internet. I think the responses from Helen and EJ were pretty much like mine. It is probably not likely that she wouldn't, but her refined spiritual sense of things might well see dangers invisible to me. I think one can safely assert, however, that she would not produce a reported vapidity like spirituality.com, if it still labors gamely on.
The question leapfrogged two immensely important 20th Century media: radio and television. Who knows what use, if any, she would have made of them. Mary Baker Eddy is firmly and irrevocably rooted in the world of print, which has a permanence and solidity none of the others does--at least for me. I also think it is safe of say she would not have been a blogger. Where would she get the time? E-mails? Hmm. Facebook, Twitter, texting? I can't see it, but who knows, she might have become a maven of cyberspace.
As some readers may already know, Ann Beals of The Bookmark has sent out an urgent plea for donations. For many, especially officials in Boston, she is about as popular as the idea of women in the priesthood is to the Pope. One may differ strongly with some of her metaphysics, but I for one would be loath to be without the wonderful writings she offers from the pens of Greenwood, Tutt, Wilcox, Simon, Seeley, et al., the Student's Dictionary, those splendid Bible Lessons from 1898-1910, etc. Most of the items she offers, whether regarded as a sheep or goat, are available nowhere else to my knowledge. I'm aware that for many The Bookmark is a very thorny issue, but I would rather feed on some honey-dew from Ms. Beals' Xanadu than choke down a desiccated and unappetizing snack from the CSPS vending machine. If one doesn't feel he can, or wish, to contribute he can perhaps consider getting anything of interest to him (or her) while the opportunity lasts. It might also help alleviate the financial need as well.
Finally, the lovely closing lines to "Leaves of Grass" by the great American poet Walt Whitman. That most sensuous and materialistic of troubadours is speaking of himself, but I find the lines more touching if I think of them as coming from my heavenly Father-Mother God.
Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,
Missing me one place search another,
I stop somewhere waiting for you.
The question leapfrogged two immensely important 20th Century media: radio and television. Who knows what use, if any, she would have made of them. Mary Baker Eddy is firmly and irrevocably rooted in the world of print, which has a permanence and solidity none of the others does--at least for me. I also think it is safe of say she would not have been a blogger. Where would she get the time? E-mails? Hmm. Facebook, Twitter, texting? I can't see it, but who knows, she might have become a maven of cyberspace.
As some readers may already know, Ann Beals of The Bookmark has sent out an urgent plea for donations. For many, especially officials in Boston, she is about as popular as the idea of women in the priesthood is to the Pope. One may differ strongly with some of her metaphysics, but I for one would be loath to be without the wonderful writings she offers from the pens of Greenwood, Tutt, Wilcox, Simon, Seeley, et al., the Student's Dictionary, those splendid Bible Lessons from 1898-1910, etc. Most of the items she offers, whether regarded as a sheep or goat, are available nowhere else to my knowledge. I'm aware that for many The Bookmark is a very thorny issue, but I would rather feed on some honey-dew from Ms. Beals' Xanadu than choke down a desiccated and unappetizing snack from the CSPS vending machine. If one doesn't feel he can, or wish, to contribute he can perhaps consider getting anything of interest to him (or her) while the opportunity lasts. It might also help alleviate the financial need as well.
Finally, the lovely closing lines to "Leaves of Grass" by the great American poet Walt Whitman. That most sensuous and materialistic of troubadours is speaking of himself, but I find the lines more touching if I think of them as coming from my heavenly Father-Mother God.
Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,
Missing me one place search another,
I stop somewhere waiting for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)