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Forgotten Heroes
Apr. 17, 2009
George Herbert: essay
| Here's my last British Lit. essay I wrote. My dad said it was really good and that I should post it so here it is. I've been crazy busy with debate, but I'll post again soon. The Courage to do whats right By Alex Macdonald In brief acquit thyself bravely, play the man. This quote pretty much sums up a lot of what George Herbert has to say in amazing spiritual collection of poems, the Temple. Basically, it takes bravery to be good, and we as Christians need to exercise that bravery. Dare to be true. Nothing can need a lie. Dont lie to get yourself out of trouble because, a fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. The lie to hide the fault makes the fault twice as bad, Herbert tells us; but rather, he says, let thy heart be true to God/Thy mouth to it(your heart), thy actions to them both. For only, Cowards tell lies, and those that fear the rod. We must be brave to admit the truth, and we must admit the truth to keep our hearts true to God. Scorn no ones love, the poet instructs us, though of mean degree. Jesus accepts the love and worship of all us sinners despite our faults. While here on earth, he even accepted the oil and tears from the harlot and rebuked those wwho would have turned her away. If we want to be like him we must not only love all mankind but accept back the love of any who give it to us, regardless of how loathsome or sinful they may seem to us; for as Herbert says, Why should I feel another mans mistakes/More than his sickness or poverty? Many times we sink into despair, wondering what we will do with our lives or else looking back on how we have wasted them, but George Herbert tells us, Do not be fooled: For all may have/If they dare try, a glorious life or a grave. It doesnt matter how much time we have wasted or that we have no idea what God has planned next for us. If we just are brave and trust in Him we assured of either a glorious life or else of a glorious death which is just as great. We can all have this glorious life in Christ if only we have the courage to reach out and take it. Dont just take the easy way out. The gate to Heaven is narrow and it takes a lot of bravery to enter through it. I brief acquit thyself bravely, play the man. Then you can pass through. |
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Posted by
Anonymous 
Apr. 19, 2009 - Untitled Comment
I look at martyrs in 3rd-world nations (i.e. Indians in Orissa) and marvel at the courage that God gives them to suffer through what they do. I hope that God would give us the same strength as well.