Be Not Dismayed, Thou Little Flock

My poem of the week this week, is this bold hymn by Johann Michael Altenberg, 17th century German pastor. He wrote this hymn during the turbulent times of war which followed the Reformation, and they seem pertinent today. Be Not Dismayed, Thou Little Flock Be not dismayed, thou little flock, Although the foe’s fierce battle …

Continue reading ‘Be Not Dismayed, Thou Little Flock’ »

“Let no man seek to avoid that reproach which may be his lot, for preaching the truths of the everlasting Gospel, but let him always avoid the just reproach of handling them in a mean, slovenly, and indecent manner.” – John Witherspoon  

The Gospel, The Cure of Cowardice

“…cowardice would seem to be a sort of fearful yielding of the soul” (Theophrastus, Characters [371-287 BC]) Cowardice “is a disease graver than any that affects the body since it destroys the faculties of the soul. Diseases of the body flourish but for a short time, but cowardice is an inbred evil, as closely inherent …

Continue reading ‘The Gospel, The Cure of Cowardice’ »

Prophetic Presence in the Halls of Power

Here is another quote from Conan Doyle’s, The White Company. The English knights and company while staying with some French nobility hear from the French nobleman how low he thinks of the common people under his rule.  Doyle, as a good Englishman contrasts this with the free heartiness of Englishmen, but then moves on to …

Continue reading ‘Prophetic Presence in the Halls of Power’ »