Church of England -- Clergy -- Correspondence; Clergy -- England -- Correspondence; Robinson, Forbes, 1867-1904 -- Correspondence
Rest in the Lord. This thought comes home to me more than it used to
do. I like to bring all the perplexities of life--the thoughts and
feelings which I can explain to no one--of some of which I cannot say
whether they are right or wrong, or where the right shades into
wrong--and to leave them with Him to develop (if right), to sift, to
correct. What a blank life would be without God! . . .
Easter brings fresh hope and life. It is glorious to begin existence
in a world which has been redeemed. I am sure--since He rose and
defeated death--we ought to trust to life, to delight in it. 'I am the
Life.'
{145}
Breathe in the fresh air. It is one of the best gifts that the good
God has bestowed upon us. We want fresh air not only in our lungs but
all through, if I may say so, our being. I long to be more natural and
happy--not that I wish for 'religious happiness,' but something quite
different--the happiness which comes in the right exercise of power and
in conscious dependence upon Him in whom we live.
_In reply to a letter from H. P., a master at Clifton College, who was
in doubt whether he ought to resign his mastership and go down to the
College Mission in Bristol._
Christ's College, Cambridge: May 1, 1901.
I have not had time to think over the matter yet, but my first feeling
is that you ought to be very slow to move. If men in your position,
who feel keenly interested in the highest welfare of their pupils and
long to influence them in spiritual matters, all go away to parish
work, what is to become of our public school boys? Masters are only
too anxious to leave for more 'directly spiritual' work, as they say.
But in doing so they leave a work of exceptional difficulty and
importance behind, and who is to take their place? I understand and
appreciate your feelings, but I am not at all sure that you have any
call to go.
How much directly 'spiritual' work have you with the boys? Could you,
if you desired, get more?
I will pray over the matter. Do be slow before you decide to leave. I
believe you ought to stay, {146} although it may be more difficult to
maintain your own spiritual life and ideals in a school than in a
parish. You may be doing more good than you know. It is easier to
find men to do parish work than to do school work of the highest kind.
There is a sermon of Lightfoot's in which he urges clergymen at the
University not to go away, because it is hard to maintain their
spiritual ideals at Cambridge, and because they seem to have so little
direct spiritual influence. May not this apply to your work also?
_To one about to be ordained._
Cambridge: May 1901.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account