A Prayer for the Feast Day of Henry Martyn

O God of the nations, you gave to your faithful servant Henry Martyn a brilliant mind, a loving heart, and a gift for languages, that he might translate the Scriptures and other holy writings for the peoples of India and Persia: Inspire in us a love like his, eager to commit both life and talents to you who gave them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

About Henry Martyn

From here:

Henry Martyn was born in 1781, studied at Cambridge, and became Senior Wrangler. (That is, he won the Cambridge University annual mathematics problem-solving competition, and was accordingly recognized as the University’s best undergraduate mathematician. “Wrangling” is a British University expression for solving mathematical problems.) He had, moreover, a considerable facility in languages. Under the encouragement of Charles Simeon (see 12 Nov 1836), he abandoned his intention of going into law and instead went to India as a chaplain in 1806. In the six remaining years of his life, he translated the New Testament into Hindi and Persian, revised an Arabic translation of the New Testament, and translated the Psalter into Persian and the Prayer Book into Hindi. In 1811 he left India for Persia, hoping to do further translations and to improve his existing ones, there and in Arabia. But travel in those days was not a healthy occupation, and he fell ill and eventually died at Tokat on October 16, 1812. (The American Calendar commemorates him on 19 October.) He was buried by the Armenian church there, with the honors ordinarily reserved for one of their own bishops. His diary has been called “one of the most precious treasures of Anglican devotion.”

From the Morning Scriptures

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

–Revelation 7:9-11 (TNIV)

I have always taken comfort from this great eschatological vision in today’s passage. The “great multitude” that John describes gives me hope that God’s mercy is wider and his grace deeper than any of us can imagine so that many are saved and will have life.

As you ponder this passage, do you know why the great multitude and angels are so vigorous in their praise of God in Christ? If you do, stop a moment and give thanks for the great gift of grace you have been given and resolve to act like one who is thankful.

If you do not, take some time and get to know the God of the Bible. Chances are if you do, you will want to join this throng in singing unending praises to the God who loves you and gave himself for you.

More From John Wesley

Today I post more from our featured Anglican theologian and writer of the week, John Wesley. Check out Monday’s post for more details on Fr. John.

On preaching:

Immediately it struck into my mind, “Leave off preaching. How can you preach to others who have not faith yourself” I asked [Peter] Bohler whether he thought I should leave it off or not. He said, “Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.”

–Journal (1738)

On the impact of a sermon:

I believe it pleased God to bless the first sermon [I preached today] most, because it gave most offense.

–Journal (1738)

The Fruit of Negativity

Whenever I find myself becoming harsh, rigid, full of complaints, and uncharitable, I know I am harboring a negative spirit. Nothing is more harmful than this spirit of negativity. It attracts to itself ill spirits, like hardness of heart, that may be etched into harsh facial lines; pettiness spilling over into cheap gossip; resentment that crops up in envy of another’s creativity; lack of forgiveness that harbors feelings of displeasure toward another, to say nothing of maladies like pervasive fatigue, sickly self-pity, and depressive moods. This unloving spirit is always divisive. It thrives on gossip and gripes. Our gracious God has the power to dispel this spirit of negativity, to soften the mark of harshness, to give us the grace we need to prevail over evil and the darkness it breeds. Instead of ignoring others or stepping over or on them, with the Lord’s help, we may be able to open our hearts to all in charity, compassion, and commitment.

–Karen Greenwaldt, For Everything There Is a Season

Responding to “Jesus’ Most Distressing Disguise”

There is perhaps no passage in the Gospels which stirs us more deeply than Saint Matthew’s account of the Last Judgment. In the mysterious story of the king who will gather all the nations before him, separating good from bad as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, Jesus gave us his own vision of the meaning of human life. What matters in the end is love expressed in action for those in need. Jesus accepts as done to himself whatever we do to our neighbor.

Come, you whom my Father has blessed…For I was hungry and you gave me food…Go away from me…For I was hungry and you never gave me food. (Matthew 25:34,35,41,42)

With good reason we cannot be indifferent to anyone who lacks the necessities of life. As our knowledge and love of God grow, so does our concern to respond as fully as we can to Jesus in what Mother Teresa of Calcutta calls “his most distressing disguise.”

–Mary Evelyn Jegen, SND, How You Can Be a Peacemaker