None but Zion’s children know

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was very nice although the weather has turned hot and muggy in flyover country and that is never a cause to rejoice (although we try to rejoice in all things).

I helped set up for the Kirkwood Historical Society attic sale. And I bought a stack of books (just what I need, right?)…

I have a small collection of books on the Santa Fe Trail, so the Diary of Susan Shelby Magoffin is a great addition. The Seifert novel is about Magoffin. Shirley Seifert was a mid-century writer from Kirkwood who wrote quite a few historical novels, published by J.B. Lippincott. She was really into her research, but her writing is pretty dry, but I have a growing collection of her books. She also wrote the centennial history of my old church, Grace Episcopal, where she was a member for many years.

Daughter #1 and I went to the actual sale on Saturday and she got a nice table for $20 on which to put her Civil War officer’s desk, which I had bought at auction a few years ago.

We also got some more books. Afterwards we went to a couple of estate sales where we were successful again, rescuing a nice Hitchcock chair for $10.

She had many other adventures dealing with Lowe’s delivery men, UPS men, and ADT installers, but I will leave that to her to describe to you.

I watched the Kentucky Derby–whoop-di-do–but my horse did not win. I remember when Secretariat won fifty years ago. My Sunday School teacher went to the race and he assigned everyone in our class a horse. Mine won, but I think all I got was a $5 gift certificate. Typical Episcopalians–betting in Sunday School!

I did not watch any of the coronation, but Anne wrote a long article about it. Read the whole thing.

It was so strange for example, to listen to that glorious Colossians text read in that exquisite church by a practicing Hindu. Dissonance, at the very least, is the word one gropes for, if not blasphemy. How can that person stand there, after reading aloud about how all things are put in subjection under Christ, how he is the Firstborn in whom all things hold together, and then say, “The Word of the Lord” if he doesn’t really believe it? How can Justin Welby face Charles and command him to stand on the authority of the Bible when he himself has been unwilling to do any such thing?

On Sunday the kindergartners received their very own Bibles in front of our whole Presbyterian congregation. The wee bud stood up beaming with his father and I was very proud. (Lottie was home sick, bit she still got her pink Bible!) I may have gotten a little verklempt.

Afterwards we all went home to eat bagels and sit outside. Good times.

Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name;
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.

–John Newton

P.S. On Saturday we had three blue eggs in our Robin’s nest, but sadly they have all been destroyed by other birds. Nature. C’est la vie.