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Dean Edward Meyrick Goulburn, 1818-1897 : a study of his devotional writings

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JacksonJCK_1955redux.pdf (43.98Mb)
Date
1955
Author
Jackson, John Calvin Knox
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Abstract
 
 
Whatever weaknesses and limitations there are in Coulbum1 s writings they fade out of sight in the light of his total worth. He does not follow the stern, masculine spirits like St. Peter, Athanasius, Bossuet, Luther and J* Calvin but the gentle, compass!onate souls like St. Francois de Sales, Pénelon, St. Francis of Assisi, and Jeremy Taylor. Both types have their assets and liabilities. It is only folly to disavow one or the other; it is wise to acknowledge that both the stern and the gentle have their place in the service of God.
 
In his own age Goulburn made a strong impact on the minds of average people as well as on the thinking of the clergy. His sound and holy wisdom joined a lyrical spirit and a poetical heart to write in a manner that gripped thousands an both sides of the Atlantic. Because his influence, like his spirit, was neither startling nor dramatic it is not easy to appraise fully the result of his writing. What we do know is that people read Ids devotional writings and were greatly helped by them. We know that his saintly character won the admiration and respect of the clergy. In his own age he influenced men like F. W. Robertson, Richard C. Trench, Edward W. Benson, and Frederick Temple. He also had a mighty impact upon the students at Rugby School: his preaching and his saintly life made an indelible impression on them. His influence has continued wherever men have read Ms writings. Interestingly enough, three of the notable writers Goulbum has influenced have written along the same practical line he did. A, J. Worlledge's work en Prayer. well marked with references to Goulburn, seeks to translate theological knowledge into the vernacular of every day practical religion. The modest titled book, The Lower Levels of Prayer, tells of the author' s indebtedness to Goulburn. This book by Dr. George S. Stewart, has in turn influenced countless other writers on the life of prayer. Principal Charles S. Duthie's book, God in His World, is the most recent to reflect the influence of Goulburn' s teaching.
 
For the greater part it most he admitted that Goulburn has not continued to he the direct influence he -was in his own time. But yet there are very few devotional writers being read today. For the vast majority the names like Boehme, à Kempis, Law, Andrewes, Taylor, Teresa are not household words. Even Banyan is rapidly becoming a forgotten name. The judgment, however, falls not on Coulburn and the other devotional writers; it falls upon us. It is only as we study these devotional books and let the Holy Spirit make real to us the insights and thoughts of a holy man like Goulburn, that we can know his true worth and feel Ms real influence. To read his writings and to feel their uplift is to live in high spiritual atmosphere. At the end one can only thank God that heaven loaned him to earth to educate us for eternity.
 
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/30310
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