Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Ps. 119, 130

I.

Educo, to lead out; hence to develop and furnish for larger service.  One learns where things are, where to seek for further equipment.

II.

This is a day of specialists, who devote themselves to special preparation–do research work.  Knowledge, when properly applied, is power.

III.

The church pioneered in education–believes that an intelligent piety is essential to the greatest usefulness, in pulpit and pew.  Some things can be done only by persons well furnished in head and heart–as Paul, Luther, Wesley.

IV.

Church schools have made a great contribution to Christian sentiment.

They have had to depend largely on small gifts:  of late a few large gifts have been received.

Most men who [have] had the call to preach are poor and need help to prepare for their life-work.  Hence the appeals from our schools for help to carry on.

They call for help now.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Deut. 6, 6-7; Eph. 6, 4

I.

The child a bundle of possibilities for good or evil.  It responds to life about it and reproduces it.  Herein lives its destiny.

It is entitled to the very best.  It will respond thereto, as in music, art, religion.

II.

The greatest influence for good is a devoted Christian home where father and mother teach by precept and example to fear God and love righteousness.  Nothing else in the world can equal such training.

Yet how many parents neglect it.  The results often are grievous.

III.

The Sunday School is the effort of the church to supplement the efforts of the parents to teach and train the children to worship.  Most of those who join the church on profession [of faith] are from the Sunday School.

But why is there all over the nation a decrease in enrollment?  Parents compel their children to attend public school; why not also the Sunday School?

Let [us] do all we can to reach the children about us; give them every help and safeguard we can.  Do not leave them to the evils of the day.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Five of My Favorite Bible Translations

Photograph Taken Via My Computer Camera, September 13. 2013

From Left to Right:

J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English (Revised Edition, 1972)

The New Revised Standard Version—Catholic Edition (1993)

The Revised English Bible with the Apocrypha (1989)

The New Jerusalem Bible (1985); and

TANAKH:  The Holy Scriptures (1985).

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EDITOR’S COMMENT:

To say to that my piety differs from that of my great-grandfather is to understate reality.  Although I respect the Bible and therefore take it seriously, my attitudes and many of my conclusions are quite different from his.  Some of these differences fall into the category of the merely subjective–with no right or wrong, just preferences one way or another–and others come under the heading of that which I will not defend, for they are legalistic, even if they are consistent with his cultural milieu and therefore historically understandable.  So know, O reader, that I am myself and my great-grandfather was himself.  And know which is which.  Then you will understand reality correctly.

And I, as a Neo-orthodox Christian, know the difference between the word of God (the Bible) and the Word of God (Jesus).  The former leads me to the latter, where I place my emphasis.  Yet often (as is the case here) I notice Evangelicals and others using “Word” to mean the Bible, not Jesus.  (I have numerous conversational examples to cite, so may nobody question the veracity of my statement.)  Language matters in communication.  If we use the same term to mean different things, a lack of communication results.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF ALL EXILED SAINTS

THE FEAST OF GODFREY THRING, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF JANE CREWDSON, ENGLISH QUAKER POET AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE

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Psalm 119:105-112

Our text says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a lamp unto my path.”

Read Definition of the Bible

What shall we do with the Bible?

1.  We can refuse to own one.  

The Bible once occupied a prominent place in homes.

2.  We can let it lie on shelves and collect dust or we can use it to hide money, papers, etc.  

Moody said, “Sin will keep you away form the Bible and the Bible will keep you away from sin.”

3.  We can keep it in our pockets.

[Item #4 is erased.–Editor]

5.  We can admit it to be God’s word.  

Dare you to read the Bible if you don’t want to be a Christian?

It is the world’s bestseller.

Men have tried to destroy it.

The American Bible Society distributes it.

If there is something worrying you, read the book.

One doctor’s prescription to a wealthy woman was to read the Bible one hour each day and then come back to see him.

6.  We can commit it.  

Memorize its precious truths–one verse per day.

Jesus used word vs. Devil in His temptations.

7.  We can submit to its teachings:  Do what it says do.

There is no use to read or commit it unless we intend to obey it.

Recite some important commands–

Swearing–“Do not take the name….”

Sabbath Day–Hebrews 10:25

Biggest crowds at Sunday events–Baseball, Theatres, etc.

8.  We can transmit it.

We can tell it to others.

If you love the Word, there is opportunity to teach it.  One advantage of many churches is that that they give so many work to do.

The responsibility of Sunday School teachers is great.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

SOMETIME AFTER DECEMBER 1952

Above:  Graduation, Randolph Henry High School, Keysville, Virginia, 1943

Image Source = LIbrary of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsa.8d31295/)

Reproduction Number = LC-USW3-033328-E

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EDITOR’S COMMENT:

This poem seems to be related to the previous one:  https://taylorfamilypoems.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/farewell-to-the-seniors/.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 9, 2013 COMMON ERA

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As life’s ship its anchor casts

In the port it has reached at last,

After the work of eleven years,

Your High School graduation nears.

—–

So at this time, dearest friend,

I pause a moment, before the end

Of your High School career

To say a word of hope and cheer.

—–

May your life-ship smoothly sail,

Never meet an angry gale;

May you be free from care and strife,

May you have a fruitful life.

—–

May God keep you all the way–

May you never from Him stray,

Then, some happy day, draw nigh

To meet with joy again–on high.

RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT

MAY 24, 1930 COMMON ERA

Above:  Graduation, Randolph Henry High School, Keysville, Virginia, 1943

Image Source = LIbrary of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsa.8d31345/)

Reproduction Number = LC-USW3-033377-E

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EDITOR’S COMMENT:

My granduncle’s inscription on this poem is:

May 1930, C.H.S.

My admittedly circumstantial conclusion is that “C.H.S.” is Commerce HIgh School, Commerce, Georgia.  My great-grandfather, George Washington Barrett, as the pastor of Commerce First Methodist Church from November 1929 to November 1931.  And my grandmother, Nell Barrett Taylor, was fifteen years old in May 1930.  Thus she was the proper age to be a rising Senior at the time, before public high schools in Georgia added the Twelfth Grade.  Randolph was about twenty-five years at the time, so he wrote the poem in the voice of a rising senior, not from his own perspective.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 9, 2013 COMMON ERA

Amended August 20, 2013 Common Era

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Hail to you, our Seniors, school-mates, friends–

We Juniors our tribute to you bring–

Tho’ you may be scattered to earth’s ends,

Our mem’ry with love to you will cling.

Chorus:

Farewell to you, oh Seniors all,

Rich blessings rest upon each one of you;

Farewell to you, oh Seniors all,

Farewell! Farewell! To you!

—–

Seniors dear, in vain we’ll seek you here,

We will miss your laughter gay and free;

We have loved your comradeship this year,

Thoughts of you will ever treasured be.

Chorus

—–

Seniors dear, in all the coming years,

May your lives be filled with joy and love;

May God’s blessings quiet all your fears,

May we meet in that glorious home abode.

Chorus

RANDOLPH WINBURN BARRETT

MAY 1930 COMMON ERA

C.H.S.

1 Peter 3, 15

1.  See that the heart is His temple, prepared for his indwelling and dedicated to Him.  Let Him dwell there richly by faith.

2.  Enthrone Him as Lord:

(a)  Of thy afflictions.  Love him supremely.  Let Him regulate and dominate all–love only what He loves & approves.

(b)  Subject the will to Him.  “Thy will be done as in heaven so in earth.”  Be “willing and obedient.”  He wills our highest possible good; let Him direct in all things.

(c)  Reverence Him, worship Him, magnify Him, exalt Him.  He is Lord of heaven and earth; let Him be Lord of thy whole life.

3.  He will be thy sufficiency in all things.  In having Him you have your highest blessing and He will supply “these other things.”  The heart will find rest and strength in Him.  Then no matter how much is exacted of you, you will be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in you.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

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1 Peter 3, 13 (Revised Version)

1.  God created all things; hence He is Sovereign of all things.  Creation invests Him with the right to rule.

2.  Jesus Christ is creator of a new and greater creation–the heart of man.  He, by His death, redeems man.  This invests Him of right Lord of heaven & earth–of all men.

3.  Man should so recognize Him and make Him Lord over the heart and life.

Make Him Lord:

(1)  Of the intellect.  He alone is man’s pilot.  In all one’s thinking an anchor is sorely needed.  Christian education alone is safe!

(2)  Of the emotions.  Satan stirs up evil passions.  Jesus will purify and rule them in righteousness–will give holy emotions, desires for a pleasure in all that is good.

(3)  Of the will.  Sin is the anarchist of the soul.  Surrender the will to Jesus Christ.  This adjusts and oils life’s machinery.  “‘Tis best to let him have his way with thee.”

(4)  Of others that they may be led to crown Him Lord of all.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Bed, Ulster Children’s Church Missionary Society Hospital, Between 1940 and 1946

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2004000769/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-matpc-00464

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Luke 4, 18-19

1.  Jesus interprets His mission under the Spirit’s inspiration.  This the right method; a cold, calculating spirit is not of God.  Under this anointing He accepted the Father’s will.

2.  His work was for body, mind & soul.  He never turned a soul away but yearned after all.

None of His work was transient.  It was the beginning of a world movement which the church was to carry on to the finish.  See Jno. 20, 21; also 14, 12.  They were to do not one work, but “the works” He did.

3.  Hence educational missions are scriptural and absolutely essential.  There can be no strong, self-supporting church without it.  It is needed to train the native preachers and workers.

4.  Medical missions is the church continuing Christ’s work of healing.  Else the church “passes by on the other side.”  Easiest made self-sustaining & not one whit behind other departments in Spiritual results, besides the pain it kills.

5.  He will approve it all at last & does now.  “I was hungry & ye gave me meat, sick & ye visited me.”  “Enter ye.”  Will He say it to you?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Infancy of Jesus, Circa 1849

Created by Currier & Ives

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-USZC2-2648

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

1.  Jesus, of course, grew up in a Jewish home.  Is this not obvious?

2.  “The Jews” were not monolithic.  My great-grandfather wrote and spoke of them as if they were.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JUNE 8, 2013 COMMON ERA

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Luke 2, 52

Jesus was human as well as divine:  we deal now with the human.

1.  Increased in wisdom & stature.

(a)  Reared in a Christian home.  Mary favored above other women.  Good mothers before her would incite her to do her best, as did the marvelous things said of Him.

(b)  Taught by the father from six.  As great honor to teach the law as to have received it from God.

(c)  Doubtless taught in the synagogue school in Nazareth.  Rich & poor attended without paying tuition.  Later one was not allowed to live where there was no school.  Spoke in three languages & confounded the Jews with his knowledge of scripture.

2.  Religious influences.

Circumcised on the 8th day, dedicated to God at one month of age, presented in the temple at twelve, synagogue services at Nazareth saw the people going to the feasts.  Mary must have told him the remarkable things of his infancy.  Was free from sin from birth.  Thus his body & soul grew normally, and he increased in favor with God & man.

3.  What helped develop Him will help develop a child today.  Home and church and education needed.  Hereby boys grow in stature & wisdom together.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Hosea 4. 6

1.  Ignorance is a blight.  By it many a bright mind is held in the bondage of death.  It is a cruel slave-driver.

(a)  By it many a life is robbed of much happiness, kept in outlook and prejudiced in mind.

(b)  By it the world is robbed of much wealth of the lives of ignorant men.  An educated laborer is worth more than he would be if uncultured.

2.  Education is the handmaid of progress. Civilization creates wants and supplies them.

3.  To know mere facts is not to be really educated; for one’s mind & heart to be so trained as that he is in full possession of intellect, affections and will, is education.  Character is the test of usefulness, the end of it.

4.  God’s complaint by the prophet is that there is no knowledge of Himself in the land (v. 1).  Here still is a serious lack.  He is forgotten or neglected sometimes.  The church insists such shall not be done.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  Moravian Sunday School, Lititz, Pennsylvania, November 1942

Photographer = Marjory Collins (1912-1985)

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/owi2001014337/PP/)

Reproduction Number = LC-USW3-011768-D

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

My great-grandfather wrote:

 The religious element is the best part of an education.  It is the only part that one can’t forego.

That is an overly broad statement.  I am sure, for example, that arithmetic, reading, and writing are parts of education that one can’t forego.

I come from a different time, one with a stricter separation of church and state–a standard with which I am quite comfortable.  One ought not ask the state to do what parents, guardians, and churches ought to do–and can do more effectively.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JUNE 7, 2013 COMMON ERA

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Deut. 11, 18-20

1.  It is a debt parents owe their children, to provide for the development of their faculties.  This calls for education in general, and religious instruction in particular, as our Lord commands.

2.  The true end of education cannot be reached without making the moral and religious faculties prominent and that their development.  Mere intellectual training is at best Sampson shorn of his locks.  The religious element is the best part of an education.  It is the only part that one can’t forego.

3.  Such training is not possible save in schools under the care of Christian men.  There must be a religious atmosphere.  Religion must not be apologized for nor kept in the background, but emphasized.

4.  Does religion dwarf everyone, make him narrow?  How is it that Christ is become a curse anywhere?  The Bible idea is that due recognition of him anywhere is a distinct blessing.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT