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Elizabeth Hudson on Vocal Ministry

11/17/2023

2 Comments

 
… through my backwardness I sat under the burden of the word so long that the proper time slipped in which should I have stood up which was a hurt to both myself and the meeting and I believe made hard work for my companion, for where there is not a keeping our ranks each in our own line of duty, it flings the whole out of joint and the meeting seldom if ever recovers when thus the gospel property is invaded.
       
I have oft compared the ministry to a fountain or spring of water and ministers to pipes through which the water is conveyed to diverse parts of the city, some greater some lesser, according to the distance the stream is to be conveyed ... and very frequently we see one pipe so fixed as to be in some sort dependent on another and if any impediment happens to either it frustrates the grand design of conveyance, and no pipe so small or minute but there is some service or part to act and it’s not acting that part may possibly so disconcert the whole as to incommode a great part if not the whole of the city. 

    
The excerpt above is from the diary of Elizabeth Hudson, a Friend who traveled extensively in colonial America. She’s quoted in Brian Drayton’s Midweek Meditations.

https://library.haverford.edu/finding-aids/files/MC975-01-047.pdf
 
~ submitted by Richard Russell
 
2 Comments
Joseph Olejak
11/25/2023 12:39:45 pm

I liken this passage of access to the pipes to those who have become disconnected from Spirit. They've lots their water line!

"but there is some service or part to act and it’s not acting that part may possibly so disconcert the whole as to incommode a great part if not the whole of the city."

They've become cut off and begin, through their words and actions to "disconcert the whole ... and ... incommode a great part, if not the whole, of the city."

These disconnected folks are capable of some monstrous deeds because they miss the whole, the bigger picture; acting instead out of their own self-interest. They are also in need of empathy because they are deeply alone people. The notion of community and connectedness to others and Spirit is lost.

Reply
Richard S Russell
11/27/2023 08:44:10 am

Hi, Joseph.

I like your comment about folks whose spiritual water pipes have been cut off from the whole community. They may indeed cause harm. And they are likely very lonely, desiring attention from the community even as they cause that harm.

Richard

Reply



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    ​This blog was set up to post content of interest to Old Chatham Quaker members and attenders. Posts related to one's own personal spiritual journey, reports based on interviews with others, and reflections on Quaker-related topics are welcome. Posts by individuals are personal expressions and do not necessarily reflect those of the Meeting as a whole.
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