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I am glad that Mr S (he says to call him ‘Geoffrey’, but I can’t) is publishing on Pilgrim’s Progress. Because I am the young daughter of a much older father, it was one of those books on our shelves at home; my nieces one of whom is my own age, do not know it at all, and I don’t recall doing anything on it at school or College. I am re-reading it, thanks to him, and I hope others here will do so.
My co-author, Chalcedon, who hails from a different part of the North of England, told me over breakfast that he was reminded of the voices of his own youth, and though I am so much younger, it reminds me of some of those of my own, as I was brought up in South Wales, where the Baptist tradition ran strong.
It reminded me that for all my own Anglo-Catholicism, there is another strong Christian voice in this country, and one perhaps not heard by me as often as it should be. My one continuing contact with it is through Pastor Gervase, whose sermons seem to me a powerful voice of Christian orthodoxy – regardless of denominational label. I was intrigued to learn he appears on something I did not know existed until Mr Sales told me – ‘Pirate Christian Radio’. We have, as far as I know, nothing like that in the UK – and perhaps it is this lack which is a sign and a symptom of our problems?
As I travel through the towns and villages around me, I am struck by the number of chapels I see. Where I live there are two churches and two chapels, but I had not really noticed until it was pointed out to me that there are two other old chapels now converted to private houses. Once alerted to that, I see it all around me, and I am ashamed that whilst I know quite a lot about early church history, I know next to nothing about the men and women who raised these chapels.
I visited Stoke, where Pastor Gervase preaches, and was struck by something which, if I knew more, I could say more about. His own chapel is in a run-down inner city area, a shortish walk from a Welsh Miners’ chapel, which has been converted into a restaurant, and a redundant Anglican church which is now being converted into something or other; there were several other chapels nearby, I am told.
What struck me here was a lost world. These chapels were the result of popular piety. They were in places not served by the Established Church, and founded at a time when Catholicism was either proscribed, or looked on with suspicion. These were the worshipping places of people moved by the word of God which found them where they were. It was working-class and lower-middle-class people who pooled their money to make chapels where they could hear God’s word. I wonder what the descendants of those people, who have far more money than their ancestors, do with it now?
I need to read more about this. This voice, once so strong in this country, and strong I think still in America, is all but silenced here.
I’ve a fair collection of stuff on this subject, Jessica, and I’d be happy to lend you some of it. I’ll look out a few things. Thank you for this; I take it kindly.
Very kind Mr S – I shall email as usual
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It is pleasing at least to this old man, to see the younger generation showing proper respect, there is also this though, my Chatelaine, if you are requested to address a senior by their given name, it is also somewhat disrespectful not to. But it is an individual thing, for you to decide.
It is somewhat stronger here, and although I also know little of it, being of a mainstream historical church (2 of them in my lifetime) I think it a good thing, although it can lead to faulty doctrine at times, and it can lead also to divisions in the body of Christ. But, with good will on both sides, it needn’t, and I would love to have your readers of the smaller churches chime in here.
I hope so too.
I shall, in time, graduate to Geoffrey – of course, if he were called ‘Dave’ that would be different
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You smart-aleck, you
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I completely understand. And yes, he is very deserving of respect.
That’s me
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And ridiculously charming you are
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Ridiculous, certainly
xx I hope charming too 
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No, the ridiculous modifies the charming, as you well know, I doubt I’ve met a more charming lady.
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Since we are genuflecting. remember , call no man father(religious title).
Ah, Bozo, I did see your comment the other day. My church, like yours, has no priests, that is not true for older churches than ours. Are they wrong? Possibly, the founder of my church the Rev. Dr. Luther was both a priest and an Augustinian monk, and his conclusion was that they were in error, and ushered in the universal priesthood, which the Catholic church has acknowledged.
That said, the proper form of address to a priest is Father, it is in no sense an indication that he is my father, he as I, acknowledges that Christ is the High Priest of the Father.
It is simply a mark of respect, as is referring to a Jewish rabbi as rabbi, a military officer by his rank, or a person who has attained a doctorate as doctor.
No one is genuflecting, these are the ways that a polite society has run for centuries, it creates a sense of order, and respect for all.
I am glad to call you my Brother in Christ, Bosco
Uh, let me check. yes, i did put religious title in my wonderful post. You better call the sergeant…sergeant sir, or youll be doin push ups til dinner time.M y church is my body. And i am the priest.Jesus forbid calling men Rabbi, Rabbi! As he di forbid calling men Father(religious title. Its up to you to follow Jesus reccomendations
My church is really small. Im the only member. The church is the body of the saved. I believe it was Paul the got down on people who made sects. Some say they are of Cephas, some are of Appolos. Now, the world has tons of sects and names. All of them are wrong.Jesus is the stone the builders rejected.The corner stone is the top stone on a pyramid. The top stone on the great pyramid never got there. Jesus is the cornerstone.He is a man, not a religion. He is in heaven and paradise in his flesh as he was taken up. Like wise he will return. In our flesh shall we see god.(Job)
We shall so Bosco – and I think Mr Sales is right about Pilgrim’s Progress – there’s an animation here:
Sister Jess, i just cant feel moved to read Pilgims Progress. Im to busy regressing in my walk with the Lord. The cares of this world are winning the battle. In case you havent heard, the cost of living in california is way up and jobs and money are scant. the politicians are grabbing all the money. Im thinking about jumping off a cliff.
Well I don’t think you should be doing any such thing Brother Bosco.
Yes, I had heard things were dark with your State, and they are here. For sure the great Enemy is, as Peter says, like a lion prowling around to see who he can devour. Don’t let it be you.
You know, Pilgrim’s Progress might be just the thing for you – because like its hero, you are in the Slough of Despond. I will pray for you Bosco.
Take care, please
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Despond. I have that tattooed on my forhead. I have a daughter, as many know. I stand on the promise that my house will be saved. She is my house. I have no one else. I learned recently that she was going to the calvary Chapel near her house, cause her nephew wanted to go. Now she tells me she is going to another place, with more young people. I recommend calvary chapel cause there are saved folks there. Its not a religion. But there are other gatherings of saved folks. I use the word gathering because our bodies are the temple of the holy ghost. For the saved that is. The unsaved, their bodies are the temple of the devil. But my joy will be complete when my daughter gets saved. She isnt at the moment. But i stand on the promise Jesus made.
And there is no better place to stand Brother. I really think you would enjoy Pilgrim’s Progress – it is like all our journeys, but very like yours now.
I wish all the best to your daughter.
Ill watch the video you or someone put up. its easier than reading. Plus, the local bookstore went out of business. its now a Fish Fry
Mr Sales recommended it to me – do watch it – I think you’ll recognise the journey
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Well i made it thru chp7 in the video. It started to get predictable. I can say now i know alittle about the book. It was cute.
It certainly has a message for us all
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I absolutely love the book Pilgram’s Progress. My Mom read it to us so many times growing up.
Good to see you here, Ms. G. Yes, I hadn’t read it in years, but am enjoying rereading
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it’s so good. how are you?
Not too bad – too much snow and no opportunity to wear nice things – but that apart – fine. And you?
haha, that’s funny. I couldn’t live in the snow, I love the heat.
I am fantastic. Thanks for asking!
Good to hear it. There is no way to stay warm and look pretty in the snow
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