by
Tom
Taffel
By
definition, a “living” language constantly changes
its words, usage and meaning. Mary Baker Eddy prayerfully,
and patiently chose her words with great care and deliberation.
And yet today, the meanings of some of these words have
changed.
I like to think of her poems as her prayers. And if we study
them in the context of her time, taking semantics into account,
they can unlock her prayerful feeling, passion and affection
concealed by today’s technologically driven use of
the language. Further exploration of Mary Baker Eddy's words
helps to communicate the ideas they originally conveyed.
As articulate and unequivocal as Mrs. Eddy was, semantics
— the change of meaning and use of words — has
sometimes challenged her precision, intent and clarity.
For example: “O make me glad for every scalding
tear,” has no meaning to us today until we understand
that in Mrs. Eddy’s day, “scalding” was
the most common method used to cleanse clothes, instruments
et cetera. Consider, “O make me glad for every
[cleansing] tear.”
Compiled by Adam H. Dickey, “Poetical Works of
Mary Baker Eddy” contains most of her poems.
Without a doubt, the seven poems found in the Christian
Science Hymnal are among her best and most well known. Utilizing
dictionaries of her time, I have attempted to shed new meaning
and light on the text of these seven poems for today,
based on the definitions of her day which restore the richness,
vividness and healing dynamics that her words may have been
meant to convey.
Ponder
these verses on your own and discover their deeper meaning
to you.
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Poems
in this series:
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Part
1 of a seven part series
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“FEED
MY SHEEP”
Shepherd, show me how to go
O’er the hillside steep,
How to gather, how to sow,
How to feed Thy sheep;
I will listen for Thy voice,
Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
All the rugged way.
Thou wilt bind the STUBBORN will,
Wound the CALLOUS BREAST,
Make self-righteousness be still,
Break earth’s STUPID rest.
Strangers on a BARREN shore,
Lab’ring long and lone,
We would enter by the door,
And Thou know’st Thine own;
So, when day grows dark and cold,
TEAR or TRIUMPH
harms,
Lead Thy LAMBKINS to the fold,
Take them in Thine Arms;
Feed the hungry, heal the heart,
TILL the morning’s BEAM;
White as wool, ere they depart,
Shepherd, wash them clean.
Definitions:
STUBBORN:
Stiff, inflexible, harsh, rough, rugged.
CALLOUS: Hardened in mind; insensible,
unfeeling.
BREAST: Repository of consciousness/conscience.
Seat of the affections and emotions.
STUPID: Insensible, Sluggish.
BARREN: Unproductive; not containing
useful ideas, dull.
TEAR: Physical irritation; grief;
sorrow.
TRIUMPH: To be prosperous; to flourish;
to be victorious; rejoice proudly.
LAMBKINS: Innocent or tender child;
a little lamb.
TILL: Until. (Verb: to care or strive
for, take care of, to improve by labor or study).
BEAM: Splendor. |
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