The Way that Leads to Death

The Church Walking With the World
Matilda C Edwards
from Best Loved Poems 1936

The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.

“Come, give me your hand,” said the merry World,
“And walk with me this way!”
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
And solemnly answered “Nay!

I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to death;
Your words are all untrue.”

“Nay, walk with me but a little space,”
Said the World with a kindly air;
“The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.

Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain.

The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe.
There’s room enough for you and me
To travel side by side.”

Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low:

“Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair.”

The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.

“I will change my dress for a costlier one,”
Said the Church, with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the World gave, in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While over her forehead her bright hair fell
Crisped in a thousand curls.

“Your house is too plain,” said the proud old World,
“I’ll build you one like mine;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine.”

So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold.

Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.

There-were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

“You give too much to the poor,” said the World.
“Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?

Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and costliest wine.

My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in.”

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan’s cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.

Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
“I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast.”

The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside-
“The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride.”

The angel drew near to the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame.

And a voice was heard at last by the Church
From Him who sat on the throne,

“I know thy works, and how thou hast said,
‘I am rich, and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;’
Therefore from my presence cast I thee out,
And blot thy name from its place.”

Pride and Prejudice, Again.

Yesterday I finished one of my commute books, and in trying to decide what to listen to on my way to work, I landed upon Pride and Prejudice. I never tire of it, and re-read it at least once a year, and watch the BBC video every couple years. To get my Elizabeth and Darcy fix. It has everything nothing to do with Colin Firth. And I lie like a rug.

But listening to it may be even better than reading! Especially since the version I am listening to is complete with British accent, much more authentic than the one in my head.

I was pondering last night why this is a book for me, and many others, of which I never tire. Probably because the verbal sparring is still so funny, and male/female communication, while it is much different in style, really doesn't vary in substance. Let's face it...miscommunication between the genders is neverending. Its one of the biggest things that I try to focus on in my relationship. Don't make Joe guess what I am thinking/feeling/asking him to do. Why do we expect our partners to mindread? Perhaps it's because as women especially, we assume we already know what our men our thinking? Ouch.

So P and P is my standby. And I look forward to my morning commutes for the next month or so. Mostly.

Book List 2011

My reading has slipped a little this year. I have, I confess shamefacedly, been watching too much television.  But here's an abbreviated list of some that I either read, or listened to during my commute.

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery: an old favorite. It's like comfort food. Non-fat comfort food.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Somehow this makes my list every year. I don't always read the whole thing, but it's one that I can pick up at anytime. This year, however, I listened to it. And laughed aloud in the car. Here are a few comments on P and P.

Right Ho, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse: I love Wodehouse's dry wit. Bertie Wooster makes me giggle. For the longest time, I had a terrible time watching House, because Hugh Laurie will always be Bertie in my mind. He's an accidental genius.

Little Women, Little Men and Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott:  The first two I had read years ago, but it was fun to reread them, and to finish the story and see my favorite heroine Jo, not only as a young woman, but as an older, married, and surprisingly mature woman.

North to the Orient by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Anne has a way of writing that makes me think I could have been an adventuress with her. I am kidding myself. This is her journal of her trip with husband Charles through the arctic circle to China in an all-too-small (in my opinion) plane.

Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy: Yes, a football book.. Sort of. It's really more of a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps and live-your-faith-in-action book. Great read for men.

Murder at the Library of Congress by Margaret Truman: The late M. Truman was the only daughter of President Harry Truman. She wrote this great series of mysteries set in DC in a way that is realistic about politics without being terribly cynical.

Creating a Beautiful Home by Alexandra Stoddard: Another one that is ALWAYS on my bookshelf. Stoddard's philosophy of home-keeping (not housework!) are inspiring to me and strike a chord.

Made in America by Bill Bryson: subtitled, An Informal History of the English Language in the United States. Bryson is funny. I mean, I read a whole book not just IN English, but ABOUT English. And mostly about how we Americans have butchered it for years.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: Brought back fond memories of reading this to Michael when he was about seven.

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhaun: An interesting compilation of survey info about what men really think. Pretty eye opening.

King Solomon's Mines by H Rider Haggard: Read my review here.

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts: A sweet easy read about a girl whose life begins as a train wreck, but who finds a family in Wal-mart. Okay, that's an over-simplification, but it was a nice bedtime read.

Happiness for Two by Alexandra Stoddard: Pointers on making your honey happy. For a lifetime. Written in short chapters so I kept it in my purse for when I was waiting for something. Usually my honey.

Book Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Who could resist a book called Austenland? Certainly not me!

Jane Hayes is a 30-something single woman with a major problem. None of the men she dates can measure up to Pride and Prejudice's Mr. Darcy. Oh, and this is the dark, handsome, brooding, but deep inside shy in public situations Mr. Darcy as portrayed by Colin Firth in the A and E version. Sigh.

Jane's elderly aunt leaves a bequest in her will, not cash, but a 3-week stay in Austenland, a vaction estate where the guests must dress and behave as though they are in Regency England. Sound fun, until you remember that the noble gentlemen, the gardeners and the rest of the staff are actors, and in real life are not what they seem. Does Jane find her Mr. Darcy? Does that man even exist?

This was a fun and quick read with quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. I knew I was hooked from the introduction, which reads:

For Colin Firth

You're a really great guy, but I'm married,

So I think we should just be friends.

PS Thanks, mom, for leaving me your P and P video. I will try to stop watching it at least once a week. Or not.

Movie Review: The King's Speech

I think it is no secret that, in my opinion, any movie where I can gaze upon Colin Firth starring Colin Firth is probably worth watching. The Kingi's Speech exceeded expectation.

Firth won the Oscar for Best Actor, and the movie won for Best Film, and for once, I agree with the Acadamy's decisions.

The story is set in pre-WWII England, and is based upon King George VI's struggle with a stutter. After his older brother abdicates the throne to marry a divorced commoner (and an American, no less), the new King must make a very public, nationally broadcast show of strength as the country heads into war. I thought it interesting that while he fully understands that his position is as a figurehead, and that he has no real power, he takes his responsibility seriously that he "speak(s) for the people". He knows that if he is unable to communicate strength and national pride it will be detrimental for the country.

A beautiful friendship develops between the King and his speech therapist. Even though the therapist refuses to bow, and calls him "Bertie", he does so not from a lack of respect, but rather the opposite. He respects the King as a man, and wants to aid him in success.

I definitely recommend this movie. Mom does as well.