Yes, sorry and all that (well, I'm not in the least sorry, really) but you must blame my e-pal 'DM' who sent me a simply stunning link to a 'virtual tour' of King's College Chapel, Cambridge which must rank as one of the most elegant buildings in the world. As I told 'DM', it is nearly as good as Sherborne Abbey which is just down the road from me! I would urge you all to take a few minutes and enjoy the 'tour' and do take a look at the tracery ceiling.
Now, as you will have gathered over the years, I am not a believer; I remain firmly astride the fence of agnosticism, uncomfortable though it be at times. Even so, with or without the presence of God the inherent wisdom of Christianity as a means of conducting one's life is obvious, or should be, to everyone. Above and beyond all else it is both civilised and civilising. Even as I write those words I can sense the atheists readying themselves to hurl at me an enormous list of crimes and misdemeanors carried out by Christians. Thus, would they demonstrate their grunt-snuffling stupidity by failing to recognise that those very actions went against the teachings of Christ, or in other words, the perps were human beings not saints whatever labels they attached to themselves.
To me, there is one man who typifies, in his wisdom and in his humility, the very best of Christian values. He was, amongst other things a poet, and was thus enabled to bare himself as a weak man, beset with sin, and yet always striving, with help from his God, to try, try and try again to live up to his ideals. That man was George Herbert (1593-1633):
He was a Cambridge man and would have known King's College Chapel intimately, although I am not suggesting that this poem is based on his recollection.
THE CHURCH-FLOORE
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MARK you the floore? that square & speckled stone, |
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Which looks so firm and strong, |
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Is Patience: |
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And th' other black and grave, wherewith each one |
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Is checker'd all along, |
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Humilitie: |
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The gentle rising, which on either hand |
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Leads to the Quire above, |
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Is Confidence: |
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But the sweet cement, which in one sure band |
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Ties the whole frame, is Love |
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And Charitie. |
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Hither sometimes Sinne steals, and stains |
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The marbles neat and curious veins: |
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But all is cleansed when the marble weeps. |
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Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore, |
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Blows all the dust about the floore: |
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But while he thinks to spoil the room, he sweeps. |
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Blest be the Architect, whose art |
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Could build so strong in a weak heart. |
So, let me get this straight.
You are mowing the church grass just in case........
Clever ruse, Duff.
That'll trick 'em.
Merry Christmas, you old curmudgeon.
Jeez, that's a great word.
I have to settle for Dragon Lady.
Posted by: Andra | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 01:04
"You are mowing the church grass just in case........"
Absolutely! When you have been wrong about as many things as I have it's always worth betting each way!
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 08:08
Many thanks for the wise and heartening post. The virtual tour of Kings is, in my book, better than the real thing. My son started at Cambridge this year, and I was greatly looking forward to evensong in Kings. I was probably expecting some transcendental experience with the choir singing Tallis and the minister making some clever parallels between the glory of God and the sublime architecture around us. Instead, what we got was a crush of noisy German and American tourists who chatted through the whole service. The interior was so gloomy that we could barely see the hymn-book, let alone the fan-vaulting. And the world famous choir were on holiday and we had to put up with a substitute!
I'm sure this says something about the perils of too much anticipation. A beautiful and consoling quote from Oldenburg:
"Look for beauty where it is not supposed to be found".
Posted by: Whyaxye | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 13:40
"Look for beauty where it is not supposed to be found".
A thought I keep recommending to the 'Memsahib'!
But what a disappointment to you. Never mind, 'W', enjoy a splendid Christmas.
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 14:44
As I get older, I seem to be returning to the Catholic agnosticism of my youth. That is, although I don't know the face of God and don't believe you do either as Huxley put it, I find the spirituality of the old Christmas carols, particularly those in Latin, refreshing at this time of year.
So Happy Christmas DD and rejoice, rejoice.
Posted by: Kevin B | Saturday, 24 December 2011 at 23:09
Thanks, Kevin, especially for the link.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 25 December 2011 at 19:18