Thursday, September 30, 2010

On Defense (And Dithyrambs)

I was brought up short once again by an article by Mortimer Carr (otherwise unknown to me) in the May 1946 Journal, "Protection and Defense". Perhaps I alone have too often let my mind drop into a rut when attempting to do my duty as required in Article VIII, Sect. 6, "Alertness to Duty", in the Church Manual. Mrs. Eddy there demands, in fact, that each member of the Mother Church "defend himself daily". It was easy for me to interpret this as donning, or at least clattering around vigorously with, an armor of truths daily. Somewhat to my chagrin--well, ok, a lot to my chagrin--Mr. Carr points out that would be protecting, not defending, myself.

He quotes "a dictionary" which states: "the inmates of a fortress are defended by its guns, protected by its walls, and guarded by sentries against surprise." Hosing ourselves down daily with a shower of the letter isn't defending ourselves daily against aggressive mental suggestion. I find the definition of defend in the Students Reference Dictionary (unfortunately no longer available, it seems, from The Bookmark or anywhere else) stronger than those in my desk dictionary. It (SRD) reads, in part, for defend: "To drive from; to thrust back; hence, to deny; to repel a demand, charge, or accusation; to oppose; to resist . . . . To drive back a foe or danger . . . . . To secure against attacks or evil; to fortify against danger or violence . . . . " One certainly doesn't do that with a feather duster of words or a sprinkling of politive thoughts.

Protection is defined, in part, from the SRD: "shelter from evil, preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance . . . How little are men disposed to acknowledge divine protection. That which protects or preserves from injury."

This article of the Church Manual is much too important to handle with butterfingered notions of what the word defend means, and Mrs. Eddy tells us that each by-law in the Church Manual obeyed and lived will contribute to our growth in grace and worthiness to be called genuine Christian Scientists.

Note: I am sorry if I keep giving the false impression that I do not want to write poems and post them here. To the reasons already given for my seeming unwillingness, I would add that when I sit down pen in hand to listen to the inspired whisperings of Euterpe or Polyhymnia I become instead a Quasimodo tormented not by "the bells, the bells", but those legions of cherished verses which come crowding in with their mellifluous elbows flying. It is too easy in such circumstances to end up with a poetic bricolage or pastiche, which I obviously do not desire. Then there is Shakespeare in all his overwhelming glory.

Finally, as to the cryptic, probably Chinese, "comments" I know not what, whence, or to where.

19 comments:

Regular said...

Goodness, you're back on so soon. Good I stopped by as I truly enjoyed reading your latest.

Cambridge said...

Good job, blogger. A very good read.

Dorothy (PA) said...

Thanks for a strong essay. I found this to be quite strengthening and I'm grateful you posted it.

From California said...

Isn't God wonderful to give us all the help He does, in the directives of our Leader, in the periodicals (early ones), and in the bloggin you are doing.

Anonymous said...

Glad the Chinese have given up. Hope they have. Rather frustrating to not know what in the world they were saying.

Thanks (MA) said...

Interesting treatise on "defend". You've given your readers a lot to think about here.

W. T. said...

There you go, sending me to the dictionary again. Or what I prefer, Google. The second word in your title I'm not familiar with. So...

Many thanks! said...

Well written, Christian. Your theme in this one makes me think of our Master's command to Watch, and Mrs. Eddy's excellent article on same in Prose Works.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is such a blessing. Keep batting them out.

M. J. (Chicago) said...

Thanks, blogger. You're giving me an education--in several ways.

Portland said...

Hi Christian.
I've said this before but want to tell you again how much your blog postings are helping me. Do continue giving us the fruts of your study and pondering. And applying I am sure.

CS - (UK) said...

Your excellent essays calls to my thought some of the vigorous verbs our Leader uses in her writings when instructing us on how to apply CS. No shrinking violet her when it came to affirming God's allness and denying what the carnal mind would have us believe is actually taking place.
CS takes work!

Midwest said...

I can see why my friend likes your blog. A lot of good stuff here.

Anonymous said...

You express yourself well, Professor. Always a pleasure checking out your latest.

Being helpful said...

Dithyramb -

1. a usualy short poem in an inspired wild irregular strain

2. a statement or writing in an exalted or enthusiastic vein

Regular viewer said...

You and your flock are certainly a learned bunch!

Anonymous said...

You mention those earlier periodicals quite a lot, and I agree with you, that this was the era when CS metaphysics was safe to read. One knew no one "up there" was trying to water things down to please the lowest common denominator and make it easy for the mostly disinterested public to find some truth to hang onto.
Keep giving us solid, pure in your blog.

Los Angeles said...

Like your blog entries. You have a fresh way of writing about spiritual things.

George said...

I like this blog. Glad I came across it while looking for something else.
You write well.