Andy Smithyman: a pilgrim writer with amateur feet

It was the turn of the twentieth century and a travelling evangelist by the name of Reuben Archer Torrey looked over a manuscript of collected sermons and lessons he had given. Through the pen in his hand he had captured nuggets of wisdom from his prayerful closet and faithful steps in mission, and now those collected words had become phrases that many were yearning to digest.

The situation was not unique to him, as for a number of years he had faithfully edited the sermons of a well known preacher into published text: taking the rough and sometimes limited lexicon the speaker used, and transforming it into a flowing river of captivating phrases and statements. It was a discipline he didn’t take lightly, understanding how one mistake from his edit could alter the whole essence of what was being said. So he became known as the man of prayer that would lovingly craft each paragraph with sober petition. Soaking in the words the preacher declared, then letting its wealth flourish through his servant hand.

A snippet from one of the chapters in my upcoming book.

Torrey fascinates me. His missionary life visited nearly all the corners of the globe, from the dangerous mission fields of China and Japan, to the overflowing crowds in Australia and India. Some attempted to put a figure upon how many salvation responses came through his campaigns: but through his own dissuasion of such a task alongside the insurmountable undertaking of tracking the ripple effect of such meetings and writings, any figures given in their hundreds of thousands seemed frail and far from the ultimate total. Yet it’s the scene created above that continually captures my attention. When it seemed like the world was looking towards him to supply answers after the death of his friend and treasured mentor Dwight Lyman Moody, he turned the focus upon the pursuit of the Gospel and praised the intricate work of revival… but did it with a twist.

Although that twist is shared within the pages of the future book, I wanted to presently take some time out and appreciate the character of Torrey; specifically the attentive care he placed upon how he crafted his words. For example:

You and I sometimes dwell upon the love of Christ, to give up Heaven for us. We look at Him in the courtyard of Pilate, fastened to the whipping-post, with His bare back exposed to the lash of the Roman soldier. We look at Him as the lash cuts into His back again and again, and again, till it is all torn and bleeding. Oh, how He loved us! But looking down from the throne in heaven was God; and every lash that cut the back of Christ cut the heart of God. We see the soldiers with the crown of thorns, pressing it on His brow, and we see the blood flowing down. Oh, how He loved us! But every thorn that pierced His brow pierced also the heart of God.

Through the dusk of that awful day we see Him on the cross. We hear the last cry “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” We see how He loved us. But yonder, looking down from the throne of light and glory, was God; and every nail that pierced His hands and feet fiercer the heart of God, because He love you, and you,m and you, every one of you…. What are you going to do about this love?

A passionate description of love and a soul searching question, Torrey knew how to craft words upon a page. They appeared in the 1903 edition of his book “Revival Addresses”, but their energy continues to live on to this day. Reuben Archer Torrey: 1856 - 1928.

A page from the order of service for the funeral of General Bramwell Booth, held at the Royal Albert Hall Sunday 23rd June 1929. The following written introduction had the note attached “Kindly read this before the Meeting commences”

Throughout his illness the General has spent the long wakeful night hours in prayer. Often he prayed aloud, often for individuals, often for The Army as a whole, or for sections of the Work; the missionary lands, the children, the homeless. During the week before his death he prayed especially for the Salvation of the people, and those watching in his room noticed the anguish in his voice as he prayed for souls…

Reader, whoever you may be, and whatever your circle of influence, will you not on this occasion make a renewal of your consecration to God for the Salvation of the people? Are you a winner of souls? If not, reminded of Bramwell Booth’s example, will you not lift up your heart to God in prayer in this Meeting that you may know God’s will for you? Should His call for service come to you, will you respond and to-night consecrate your life for the Salvation of the lost?…

The mercy-seat is near the Casket. You are free at any time in the Meeting, whether during the speaking, praying, or singing, to make your way quietly there. 

Not a bad introduction to a funeral… and a cherished find.

A.W. Tozer: Keys to the Deeper Life.

All the more challenging when one considers that the turtle dove can symbolise devoted love.  

Victor Papanek’s ‘Six Principles of Design’:

• Method - the interaction of tools, processes, and materials. An honest use of materials that never makes the material seem that which it’s not. 

• Use - does it work? 

• Need - expanding exploration further to consider the difference between ‘want’ and ‘need’. 

• Telesis - the process of nature and society to achieve the goal.

• Association - our psychological conditioning. 

• Aesthetics - the nature of beauty, art and taste.

Design in life, far more integral than the products we use.

Found this 1902 edition in a secondhand bookshop; originally presented from a father to a son.

It’s a great collection of devotional thoughts written by James Russell Miller, a character of the faith that balanced the questioning of assumed beliefs with respect for treasured gems.

Over the last twelve months I have been buried away in my office, attempting to put my rambling words into some sort of sense for a new book release in September 2012. With just a final chapter and conclusion to write the end is now within sight, and as with previous writings the focus is upon revival history… with a subtle twist hopefully.

Whilst it’s been a busy period of time, it has also been a great and enjoyable process to go through. It never ceases to amaze me that when I believe I have a handle upon a historic story of faith, another line of narrative reveals a whole new dimension to this pilgrimage we all partake of. It’s an exciting experience, but also one that challenges me to never assume that the final paragraph written signals the end of the manuscript as a whole.

Over the next few months I plan to update these posts with updates about the development of the book, useful tools and programmes I have come across… not forgetting teasing pointers towards some of the content found within the pages I have written.

Seems fitting to close this post with a quote that I have used within my own pages: courtesy of Christopher Hill’s book “The World Turned Upside Down”.

There are few activities more cooperative than the writing of history. The author puts his name brashly on the title page and the reviewers rightly attack him for his errors and misinterpretations; but none knows better than he how much his whole enterprise depends on the proceeding labours of others.

Storm Thorgerson talking about album cover design work: Love the imagery of being patient with a process that marinates an idea.

http://www.coolhunting.com/culture/storm-thorgerson.php

A.W. Tozer: Keys To A Deeper Life

Tozer has a way of provoking a response within, to present to each pilgrim of faith a consideration of their own walk and how true it really is. A worthwhile provocation and one I believe, is a continual act of our devotion.

It’s about getting things down to one number, using stats the way we read them, we’ll find value in players that nobody else can see… People are overlooked for a variety of biased reasons and perceived flaws: age, appearance, personality. Bill James and mathematics cuts straight through that.

Of the 20,000 notable players for us to consider, I believe that there’s a championship teams of 25 people that we can afford because everyone else in baseball undervalues them. Like an island of misfit toys.

(Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, Moneyball)

A worthwhile expedition to tread; the journey to discover the island of misfits. It’s all about how you choose to see things. 

• Josh Lyman: There's a Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee?
• Leo McGarry: Yes.
• Josh Lyman: Made up of members of the "There But For The Grace of God go I" Club?

A classic book, timeless in its articulation.

“True religion confronts earth with heaven and brings eternity to bear upon time”.

Adam Savage does it again:

“One of the funny things about owning a brain is that you have no control over the things it gathers and hold onto, the facts and the stories: and as you get older it only gets worse. Things stick around for years sometimes before you understand why you are interested in them, before you understand their importance to you… The simplest questions can carry you out to the edge of human knowledge”.

One of the many reasons why Sorkin rocks.

The ‘Bruce’ echoing the hope and social power of the DIY ideology / subculture.

Bruce Springsteen: Jack Of All Trades (Wrecking Ball Album)

A new word within my lexicon, “flaneur”. A perfect rule to appreciate the creativity of life that continually dances right before the eyes.

Railway Engineering: the nuts and bolts of hidden beauty. (Sarah Bakewell: Guardian 1st March 2012)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/01/railway-engineering-nuts-bolts-beauty

I give a lot of attention to sentences, but mainly because they don’t come out right for me on the first go-round, or the second, or the eighth, or the thirtieth. Revising takes me a lot of time… When I’m working on a story or essay, if I find something messed up, I make myself start over and read it through again. If I find something else wrong, I start back over, and I keep starting over until I can read it without stopping, until I don’t suffer any doubts. That takes a long time.

Paul Maliszewski and his craftsmanship of writing.