The Traditional Merry Christmas & Carols

Around this time of year, I usually post a few thoughts on the sacred music of Christmas. Here is 2023's recommendations for the best Carols of Christmas.

Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth

A beautiful introduction and invitation to Advent, this carol draws us into the paradox of God become Man. The tune, by Michael Pratorious, is perhaps one of the best in the sacred music of the Church.

https://youtu.be/-C9QL3b8N1o?feature=shared


People Look East

This carol makes reference to the many names of Christ. For example, the Rose of Sharon, the Morning Star, the Light of the World, the Lord of All. This is a carol utilizing varied metaphors to help us grasp the importance of who Christ is.

https://youtu.be/S_DprAA2u5k?feature=shared


In the Bleak Midwinter

Once again, the mystery of the incarnation is set before us - and we cannot help but respond in wonder and awe. "Our God: heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain..."

https://youtu.be/P2P-XZrK_JY?feature=shared


Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending

This is a proper Advent hymn. It does not simply reference the first coming of Christ to Bethlehem, but dramatically points to His second coming - to which we still look forward - with both hope and trembling.

https://youtu.be/o5k5GFQMJec?feature=shared


See Amid the Winter's Snow

Having sung this more than once in my church's choir this year, I am at a loss for words to describe the beauty of this hymn. Read, listen, and ponder the lyrics of the six verses for yourself.

https://youtu.be/qO1C0SGCp50?feature=shared


Happy Christmas to you all!

A Prologue to the Year

        Rudyard Kipling, one of the great sons of the British Empire, said this: 

        "Fear God, honour the Queen, shoot straight, and keep clean."

        Kipling's words still apply to every facet of life today, and I can think of no better way for the Christian soldier of the King to follow. Following are four points we can take away from Kipling's words:

        1. As the world continually forsakes King Jesus, and dispenses with godly authority, standing in outright affront to His reign, the Christian is commanded to stand against wickedness in high places: both in the physical and spiritual spheres. Proverbs 10:27 says "The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short." The Christian must fear God.

        2. As the governments of the West reject Biblically based law, which in Canada the Queen has sworn to uphold, and thus her governments must as well, the Christian citizen must needs make sure his civil priorities are set straight. 1 Peter 2:17b says "Fear God; honour the king." The Christian must also honour his Queen.

        3. As tyrannical overlords take away the responsibility of men to defend themselves, the Christian soldier is duty bound to his God, his family, and his neighbour to protect them from error and enemies. Psalm 82:3-4 says "Give justice to the weak and fatherless, maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." The Christian must, mentally and physically, shoot straight.

        4. As overwhelming medical technocracy frightens people with twisted emotions about a virus, he ought not neglect his sanctified responsibilities as a Christian and a Canadian to keep strong and healthy in mind and body. James 4:8 & 10 say "Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." The Christian must, in word and deed, keep clean.

        There's not much else to be said. As 2020 ends, and 2021 begins, I say to you, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, my fellow faithful Canadians:

        "Fear God, honour the Queen, shoot straight, and keep clean."

        And with that, I welcome the new year.

___________________________

Written by W. A. Moore 

This Year, You Must Celebrate Christmas

        There are some very personal, difficult decisions being made about celebrating Christmas this year. Perhaps you are trying to figure out if you should stay home by yourself, or celebrate with your family whom you love. Maybe you want to invite a few friends over, or maybe you've been invited to a small gathering, but are uncomfortable with going. Let us think this through in one way.

        This very moment in Canada, there are bureaucrats pushing legislation through the government that allow anyone who feels depressed to get a lethal injection - to kill themselves. There are the 'essential services' of abortion clinics maintaining a roaring business in murder. And since the general idea of society is that we spawned out of a lifeless pool of chance, we live a therefore meaningless existence, and scamper round gathering as many things as we can, before finally being sealed in box and left to rot in the ground. 

        The shadows of death lurk around every corner - as is usual. It only happens this year that a world which tries to forget death, but at the same time deal it out whenever they see fit, has finally embraced it head on. But not from a position of hope. To anyone with eyes to see, they're doing a tremendously good job of scaring themselves to death with the despair of death.

        So what's preventing the majority of men and women from throwing in the towel right now? Why not jump off that bridge on Christmas Eve? Why not turn out the lights, take a cyanide tablet and vanish into the darkness of oblivion? Isn't that the only way out? No. Because whether you want to acknowledge it or not, deep in your innermost being you know that this life is not all there is.

        There is real, true, hope.

        But that hope can only be known through belief in the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ: that He was, is, and will ever be the only Saviour the world can ever know. The Muhammadans can't give life. Buddhism offers no peace. Hinduism gives no hope. And humanism presents no solution to death. The one true God Almighty, who is holy and just, merciful and kind, has given the only answer for our longing for meaning, our searching for truth, our despairing cry for hope. The answer is a person - the Lord Jesus Christ.

        The Rev. Joe Boot has said that "When we worship at Christmas - with our friends and family, with our Christian brothers and sisters face-to-face - to praise the King of kings and Lord of lords, in spite of a medical technocracy, we are not despising our neighbour: we are walking in obedience to our King who alone is worthy of all praise and glory. This is the Gospel."

        Thus only the Christian has the right reason to truly celebrate Christmas. And as one of my acquaintances so rightly put it, "It is high time to celebrate our Saviour by being Merry Christians this season, in righteous defiance of our tyrannical overlords."

        It will indeed be a very dismal, gloomy, and unsettling Christmas this year - and every year - for those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their King and light of life. But the offer of His hope dazzles through the darkness: will you not only accept it, but live it?

        Go then, join with the fellow soldiers of your King. Celebrate His first coming. Look forward to His return. Fellowship with hearty merriment around a joyous table - where He is with you. Don't live in fear of this world, which is dying. Live bravely in the light of Christ - which is true Life.

'For no gallant son of freedom

To a tyrant's yoke should bend,

And a noble heart must answer

To the sacred call of "Friend."'

~ Keep the Home Fires Burning

Written by W. A. Moore 

How Shall We Judge?

 

        "Eomer spoke: 'How shall a man judge what to do in such times?' 

        'As he ever has judged. Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear, nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men,' replied Aragorn." 

                ~ J. R. R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings 

        I think that this question of Eomer's is of particular concern to most in this age - whether they acknowledge it or not. And I also think that, as a society, we have not sought to work out the answer before needing to use it. Let me explain.

        Over the years, men in the Western nations have operated with an increasingly pragmatic approach to life. The rise of enlightenment(or rather, endarkenment) thought, leading to so-called modernism, and being used in atheist Marxist ideologies has left man with no basis to make moral judgments on his life, his work, or his world. Whatever happens to him, he responds with no other reasoning than that of what must he do to save himself. So he lives for vapid, hollow enjoyment which spirals ever further down into disastrous darkness. I believe that we can see this in no clearer light than in the response of man to this new virus, the response to which has completely upended this world.

        Our society we used to live with, our acquaintances we used to meet, our worldly pleasures we used to take, were all just gaudily painted facades for the utter dereliction and grey emptiness of mankind's existence. There was no reason to do what we did, other than because it worked. Man had no basis to do otherwise: everyone did what was right in their own eyes. He could not make a moral judgement, he could not choose 'the higher path', he could not be right or wrong. In his quest for perfection, he had struck down any standard for morality with the result that his perfection was merely the meanest, lowest level possible to 'get by'. A perfectly pragmatic modus operandi. Pragmatism is simply 'that which works'. But as one theologian said, 'However, 'that which works' must be determined by eternal norms.'

        In 1 Chronicles 12:32, there were certain men who stood out from the rest of the population for one reason: "Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what [they] ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command." There was trouble and confusion at this point in Israel's history. But these were men who relied not on their own understanding, but acknowledged the Lord, and trusted Him to direct their paths(Proverbs 3:5ff). Christian men need to have understanding of these times now, and know what to do. What is decided to be done will indeed look different between households, churches, towns, and countries. But we cannot rely on the authority structures of the world, ones which forsake God's precepts, to instruct our actions. They can and should inform our actions, but not dictate them. 

        Which brings us back to the question: "How shall a man judge what to do in such times?" The answer given states: "As he ever has judged. Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear." In other words, there have been and are still eternal norms, ultimate principles, given to mankind by an sovereign authority that must be followed. What is right and what is wrong have not changed, despite earthly circumstances moving swiftly onwards. What we see now is a rejection of that truth. Man, in his fallen state, cannot ever judge perfectly or justly. But he does have the capability to know how he ought to do so. The eternal norms, or if you like, precepts and principles of a Holy God are the standard by which we ought to judge ourselves, others, and guide us in our actions leading forwards. The laws and commands of the Lord Almighty have never and will never change. 

        F. B. Meyers wrote that one must 'do right because it is right to do right.' Puzzle that one out if you will, and recognize that in order to know what is right, we must look to an authority outside of ourselves. If we merely do what we want, what we make 'right' for ourselves, we have no reason to expect others to agree with us, for their 'right' may very well be the complete opposite of our 'right'. Thus good and ill become defined only by our flawed minds and hearts. It simply cannot work - nay, has not worked. The pragmatic approach to life has utterly failed. Sure, for some it hasn't failed yet, and may not until they die, but rest assured: it will fail, and then it will be too late. Good and ill have not changed: only man himself has, and continues to do so.

        So, we must judge between good and ill, and measure our response carefully and rightly. But our judgement and response will only be right if it is guided and corrected by the Lord's eternal principles. Again, the men of the Lord in 1 Chronicles 12:32 are an example we should follow. These times of furor and tumult, disturbing litigations, and heartfelt distress should serve to point us to the fundamental Biblical principles of judgement of good and ill. Forget this Christmas as simply a time of partying and enjoyment of food and drink. Forget the lights and the decorations and the trees. Forget the presents and things. There are much larger principles which we need to address, in light of these times in which we live, and then know what to do. It won't be easy, it won't be simple. It will more than likely require going against the flow; it will certainly mean disagreement. But that's life - we can't abdicate our duties.

        And indeed, the only reason why we can even hope to be able to judge between good and ill, and take the action required, is because of He who came to earth at Christmas. That will be delved into a little deeper in my next post.

Written by W. A. Moore

From Ocean Unto Ocean - A Timely Hymn

Meter: 7.6.7.6.D ~ Recommended tune: Aurelia by Samuel Wesley

Lyrics by the Reverend Robert Murray, 1880

From ocean unto ocean our land shall own thee Lord,

And, filled with true devotion, obey thy sovereign word.

Our prairies and our mountains, forests and fertile fields,

Our rivers, lakes, and fountains, to thee shall tribute yield.

O Christ, for thine own glory, and for our country's weal,

We humbly plead before thee, thyself in us reveal;

And may we know, Lord Jesus, the touch of thy dear hand;

And healed of our diseases, the tempter's power withstand.

Where error smites with blindness, enslaves and leads astray,

Do thou in loving-kindness proclaim thy Gospel day;

Till all the tribes and races that dwell in this fair land,

Adorned with Christian graces, within thy courts shall stand.

Our Saviour King defend us, and guide where we should go;

Forth with thy message send us, thy love and light to show;

Till, filled with true devotion enkindled by Thy word,

From ocean unto ocean our land shall own thee Lord.

        It is perhaps quite timely for the Christian to read and sing this hymn for themselves, their family and country, and above all, their King. Do not be distracted from the appointed task. Colossians 3:1-2: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

A Proof of Prophecy

        Christians know that the books of prophecy in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, were originally written at a specific time, during a particular period of history, for a certain reason. Nevertheless, those words of the Lord are timeless, transcending the ages, and whilst once applied to events taking place over 2500 years ago, are yet still quite relevant and apropos to the times of today. After understanding the first meaning and application of the Old Testament prophecy, the principle and spirit of the truth contained therein can be and ought be considered carefully as to how we observe and live in our current world, cultures, and events.

        Thus, having come across two very different photographs recently, and having been reading the books of Old Testament prophecy of late, here are a few thoughts on a particular truth, a particular prophecy, and a particular world.

Nahum 3:5 says:

"Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and will lift up your skirts over 

your face; and I will make nations look at your nakedness and kingdoms at your shame."

        There are three things to note for this verse from Nahum and this disturbing, saddening, image.

        1. Despite the people of Israel being God's chosen people - for a time - their sin did not go unpunished. That principle carries over to the present day. God has used and will use different nations and people to fulfil His purposes, but we should not ever expect Him to overlook or forgo judgement on sin - both nationally, ecclesiastically, and individually.

        2. The image above is but a symbol and observation on a deeper, darker, and more dangerous spiritual warfare that is being fought. The evil that is in this world will continue to fight against the Sovereign Lord and His Christ. The judgements of God against the wickedness of man will continue to be poured out. Death and destruction are evidence that the effects of the curse still linger. The Christian ought to be sorry for the lost-ness that this image portrays, and be stirred to action to love our neighbour as ourselves.

        3. We must beware: if some Biblical prophecies are being plainly fulfilled yet again - as the image above arguably reveals, we must know that everything God has spoken shall come to pass. Both the bad and good that God has warned and promised will happen until the consummation of the new heaven and earth. Make things right with your Creator now, before the time for justice comes. God is being gracious and merciful in giving time to repent.

Isaiah 66:12 says:

"For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, 

and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, 

you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees."

        Lastly, three observations on Isaiah 66:12 and this lovely image of beauty and truth.

        1. After judgement comes opportunity for reconciliation. Isaiah 66:12 recounts the words of God as He told the people of Israel that after the righteous judgement meted out upon their sin, the Lord would extend His gracious arm of peace and mercy to those who trust in Him alone. He will grant the most precious and glorious blessings to those who honour and revere His name. This hope of future peace is not for a specific ethnic people group, but for each person who trusts in the saving work of Christ on the cross. 

        2. This peace will not come without trials and tribulations on this mortal coil. There will be troublesome times and disturbing consequences from the depravity of mankind that occur - war and destruction will appear. The reason why the Christian must fight for the Gospel is precisely because there will be eternal peace at the end of all things. Peace makes no sense and cannot be known properly unless it's antithesis has been observed and experienced. Therefore, Isaiah 66:12 ought be the Christian's aim, because Nahum 3:5 is where they are.

        3. This ultimate peace, exemplified by the image of a child being cared for and loved by its mother, is a peace longed for within the innermost being of all mankind. Everyone may not realise it, but every heart is waiting for everything to be made right. The problem lies wherein each person thinks that peace and justice is going to be found. Sadly, very many look for it in all the wrong places. It is found only in the Kingdom of Christ. The true beauty foreshadowed in the picture above should point us to the blinding brilliance of the everlasting glory of God.

        The image at the top of this page sadly illustrates for us the depths of darkness and depravity that encompass us all round. We are not immune to sin, and must ever repent. Judgement on sin will continue to occur until Christ returns for His own. Yet the image of a mother with her children reminds us of the imagery used of God with His children - He will cherish and protect them, and under His wings will they find refuge. This is what the Christian must aim for, and by the help of the Spirit, press on towards - not stopping, not wavering. As C. S. Lewis said: “The almost impossible thing... is to hand over your whole self to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead.” Pick up your Bible, read it, and press on.

Note: The first image is easily searchable online(not recommended), and was taken by a reporter during a "protest" - if public indecency can be called such - in the United States. The second image was sent me by an acquaintance who shares the same love for all things good and true and beautiful as I do. Other than that, I have no information on either of the photographs.

______________________

Written and Posted by William A. Moore 

The Creed of the Modern Mind

        Does the following verse perchance sound familiar? Perhaps an astute mind may have picked up echoes of this damnable philosophy in the noisome din of secular media that pervades our beings in this day and age.  Beware - and learn.

"We believe in Marx-Freud-and-Darwin

We believe everything is OK

as long as you don’t hurt anyone

to the best of your definition of hurt,

and to the best of your knowledge.

We believe in sex before, during, and

after marriage.

We believe in the therapy of sin.

We believe that adultery is fun.

We believe that sodomy’s OK.

We believe that taboos are taboo.

We believe that everything’s getting better

despite evidence to the contrary.

The evidence must be investigated

And you can prove anything with evidence.

We believe there’s something in horoscopes

UFO’s and bent spoons.

Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,

Mohammed, and ourselves.

He was a good moral teacher though we think

His good morals were bad.

We believe that all religions are basically the same-

at least the one that we read was.

They all believe in love and goodness.

They only differ on matters of creation,

sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.

We believe that after death comes the Nothing

Because when you ask the dead what happens

they say nothing.

If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then its

compulsory heaven for all

excepting perhaps

Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Khan

We believe in Masters and Johnson

What’s selected is average.

What’s average is normal.

What’s normal is good.

We believe in total disarmament.

We believe there are direct links between warfare and

bloodshed.

Americans should beat their guns into tractors .

And the Russians would be sure to follow.

We believe that man is essentially good.

It’s only his behaviour that lets him down.

This is the fault of society.

Society is the fault of conditions.

Conditions are the fault of society.

We believe that each man must find the truth that

is right for him.

Reality will adapt accordingly.

The universe will readjust.

History will alter.

We believe that there is no absolute truth

excepting the truth

that there is no absolute truth.

We believe in the rejection of creeds,

And the flowering of individual thought.

If chance be

the Father of all flesh,

disaster is his rainbow in the sky

and when you hear

'State of Emergency!'

'Sniper Kills Ten!'

'Troops on Rampage!'

'Whites go Looting!'

'Bomb Blasts School!'

It is but the sound of man

worshipping his maker."

        Steve Turner, English journalist; “Creed” his satirical verse on the post-modern mind. Taken from Ravi Zacharias’ book "Can Man live Without God?" Pages 42-44

The Stakes Are Too Low

        Has it crossed your mind that perhaps one of the reasons for the recent surge of unrest and violence across the world is that no one is playing for high enough stakes? 

        A little perspective might not go amiss: right now, in North Korea, underground Christians risk death every single day. Up until the early nineties, many Christians in countries behind the Iron Curtain risked torture and long imprisonment. In the former Soviet bloc states, some still do. In China, there is significant persecution today - to what extent we don't really know, but it's not a walk in the park. Throughout many areas in Africa, Christians are under barbarous attack by devilish men who seek to kill and destroy, as we have seen over the past couple of weeks in Nigeria. Even in Hong Kong, which was one of the most free Asian states until this past year, the usurping Chinese government has just passed legislation which makes sharing the Gospel quite dangerous in different ways, calling it seditious. 

        But here, in the so-called Western world, where we are apparently so civilised and free and well-off, it seems every finger points to everyone else and accuses them of generational racial prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry. We fight and argue on social media over strange ideas of injustice that somehow appear to have sprung up overnight, but yet are told they have been around forever. We flood the streets to protest and vandalise since our lives and feelings have been hurt. We aren't being arrested or tortured or killed for peacefully opining different ideas, actions, or speaking the Gospel. So what stakes are we as a culture actually playing for? More importantly, what stakes is the Christian church playing for?

        Of course, the sins of injustice, corruption, and prejudice have indeed been around for a long time. The Lord God already destroyed all of humanity, excepting eight persons, for complete and utter wickedness over 5000 years ago. And still, every so often something touches off the powder keg of emotions and feelings, and the resulting "boom" is heard and observed all over countries across the globe. Yet all that is merely symptoms of the greater issue. Zechariah 7:9-14 says the following:

        "Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.' But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts. 'As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,' says the Lord of hosts, 'and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.'"

 

        The prophet Zechariah was explaining the reasons for which God had judged the people of Israel after they had returned from their exile in Assyria. And it should be quite frightening to see that what happened 2500 years ago is what is happening today. Do we today think that we are immune or beyond the reaches of such wickedness as described so long ago?  The people of the world today stop their ears and shut their eyes to the true laws of God. Mankind devises evil and destruction against his neighbour just like before. We do not show kindness and mercy to each other. nor do we render justice as the Lord Almighty has instructed. Our hearts are hardened by the deceitfulness of pleasure, money, sexual immorality, laziness and self-love. Let no one say the Bible is irrelevant today. 

        Trying to solve injustice and sin without the Gospel is like kicking a soccer ball into the goal over and over again, cheering for each point scored, only to realise that you've been aiming at your own net every time. A good effort and decent skills, but a completely useless outcome. The people who riot and destroy, along with those who condone such lawlessness, are not shooting for the right goal - and they don't realise it. Neither are the politicians, the heads of public services, leaders of armed forces, CEO's of corporations, or anyone else. One can try to placate, calm down, and mollify those who complain about feelings and unfair ideas and never realise that nothing can solve any idea, any injustice, any hurt feelings. Legislation cannot do it; neither money nor apologies: absolutely nothing except for the truths of the Gospel.

        When Christians forsake the Gospel in the pursuit of ethnic social justice, we throw the baby out with the bathwater, and run from the very solution which we then desperately try by fruitless means to obtain. 1 John 5:1-4 says: 

        "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." 

 

        If Christians do not obey God's commandments, we are not born of God. If we are not born of God, we cannot overcome the world. All the man-made projects and programs cannot meet the needs of the world. The commandments of Christ for his children cannot be fulfilled in any way other than He tells us in Scripture. There is an uncrossable gap between the world's many broken and useless solutions to the problem of sin, and God's one, infallible, perfect way of Salvation. C. S. Lewis, in his brilliant work, The Screwtape Letters, has the person of a senior demon in teaching a younger demon how to destroy a Christian, say this: 

        "About the general connection between Christianity and politics, our[the devils'] position is much more delicate: We do want, and want very much, to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything - even to social justice.  The thing to do is get a man at first to value social justice as a thing which the Enemy[God] demands, and then work him on to the stage at which he values Christianity because it may produce social justice. The Enemy will not be used as a convenience."

         Lewis' point here is that we must beware of lowering the stakes of the Christian faith and theology to a base level "means" whereby man can obtain sociopolitical change.  Christians must be careful not to use Scripture and interpret it in light of a personal, autonomous morality. We ought to be wary of "means" which use the Bible to advance a moral cause for worldly measures. Such uses are abuses of the Gospel and serve only to detract from and lower the worth and power thereof. This is what is meant by the stakes being too low. Too often it would appear that Christians assume a knowledge of the Gospel, and relegate it to the backseat of their response to certain issues, which leads to a perchance morally idealised, but nevertheless man-centred persuasion of how to solve a social problem with a worldly solution.

        The early church father, St. Augustine, stated that "people hate the truth for the sake of whatever it is they love more than the truth. They love truth when it shines warmly on them, and hate it when it rebukes them." What do you love the most? What truth are you fighting for?  Are you playing for the ultimate stakes of the Gospel and Salvation? Or are you lowering Christ's Gospel to a petty human level? Those man-centred stakes are too low - if you are a Christian, you must raise the stakes to the ultimate level of the Gospel.

Paul Harvey's "If I Were the Devil"

        In 1965, fifty-five years ago, radio commentator Paul Harvey gave this monologue as to the state of the world when it ignores it's Maker. Reminiscent of the demon Screwtape, created by C. S. Lewis, this brief quotation ought to be considered carefully in light of the current world in which we live.

       If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree - Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States[or Canada, for that matter]. I’d subvert the churches first - I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’
        To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington[or Ottawa]…’
        And then I’d get organised. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquillise the rest with pills.
        If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerising media fanning the flames. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions - just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
        Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography - soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress[and Parliament]. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
        If I were the devil I’d take from those who have, and give to those who want until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
      And what do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work in patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus, I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.

 

                                      ~ Paul Harvey, 1965.

A Brief Look at My 1887 Martini-Henry Rifles - Part One

        The Martini-Henry rifle was the front line, standard issue infantry firearm - inclusive of all variants and marks - of the British Army from about 1874 until somewhere around the turn of the century.  I am still reading up on the history of this quite remarkable rifle, so I shall not pretend to know an awful lot about it. (There are some links at the bottom of this post to the Martini-Henry website if you want to read more about this firearm.)  However, I do know that it was the first service rifle for the British Army to feature a cartridge style breech block loading system - as opposed to muzzle loading rifles. The cartridge was slipped in the rear of the barrel directly into the firing chamber, rather than being dropped and rammed down from the top of the barrel. It uses a lever under the butt stock, behind the trigger assembly to access the chamber and cock the firing mechanism. 

        I own two of these rifles. These particular examples were made in England at the Enfield factory for the British Army.  The beginning of the service use of this rifle occurred during the South African conflicts between the Zulus, Boers and the British. One rifle that I own is an early variant: a Mark I Pattern 3. It is marked 1887, but I believe the build date is actually earlier.  My other one is a Mk. IV Pat. B type and could be argued is one of the most reliable and effective out of the many variants. This one was surely manufactured in 1887. It is the one I am firing in the videos. That being said, here is a video of me firing my Mk. IV Martini-Henry:

And here are some pictures of both rifles:

The one with the white sling is restored, whilst the other isn't.

Photographs of both my Martini rifles together.

Restored Mk. IV Pat. B         Un-restored Mk. I Pat. 3

On the left, a restored butt stock; on the right, the un-restored example.

        And here is one more video - despite the audible nearness of the freight-train locomotive, I was quite far away, and at a legal distance, from any property other than that on which I had legal permission to shoot. I plan on doing another post outlining a little bit of the personal history of my rifles, how I restored the Mk. IV, and how I manufacture historic ammunition to shoot.

Links to histories of my particular examples of Martini-Henry rifles:

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=52

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_59&product_id=97

http://www.martinihenry.org/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_59&product_id=56

A Genuine Concern and a Caution

        The text below was first formulated by someone on Twitter of whom I have no knowledge. On Instagram I found a blurry screenshot of their multiple tweets. Thus, I took what was there and edited and added a fair amount to it, in the hope that it might prove useful to Christians at this time.

        It's very concerning how so-called "woke*" Christians believe that "government" is the means to help us end so-called "racism" when that same government legitimizes homosexuality, abortion, and all manner of ungodliness, ironically under the banner of so-called "civil rights" and "equality". Whilst fighting to end racial prejudice** is a noble cause, it's a fruitless effort in this life - by worldly means. In fact, the Lord Jesus said that enmity and strife between peoples and families would arise as a sign of the end times***[Matt. 24:7ff], and also it seems as if "woke" Christians go to sleep on the parts of Scripture that say mankind is fallen, depraved and sinful[Jer. 17:9, et al].

        That is not to say that Christians cannot practice their rights(given by God, through the government He has ordained[Rom. 13:1ff]), as legitimate citizens of their country(That's a complete other post). But one must remember that believers are citizens of an even greater Kingdom, under an ultimate Authority. Why diminish that by only arguing for or against racial prejudice on a horizontal level? So that you show your faith by "works"? Brothers, those "works" that James speaks of are not whatever the world dictates[Jas. 1:22, 25]. We, as Christians, show our faith in God by working according to, and trusting in the Will of God. I could well argue that ending racial prejudice  in this life, by public policy only, is not God's will. Nor will that end by that means be found anywhere in Scripture. Rather, preaching the Gospel and calling men to repentance is His will and the only means for true invisible and real visible change. 

        Christians can march, protest, and make social reforms - or choose not to - as per our liberties in Christ. Yet, while all things are lawful, not all things are beneficial[1 Cor. 10:23-24]. This rioting, anarchy, and violent protesting, is one of those things that is not beneficial. Perchance "noble" in the world's eyes - perhaps. But absolutely futile in the eyes of the God of the Universe. Racial prejudice ought to be condemned. And the Good News - the Gospel - is that such evil was already conquered, once and for all, at the Cross. Whatever you may call it, racial, or rather, ethnic reconciliation already exists in the Kingdom of God and of His Christ. So, love your God and your neighbour by inviting him into the Kingdom, because this earthly kingdom and all its works are perishing.

        "Woke" Christians - particularly those who spend much time on social media, and hearing and thinking what the world spouts nonstop: be very careful that you do not forsake "[H]im who called you in the grace of Christ and turn to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."[Galatians 1:6-7]  I myself have been guilty as charged not a few times. But now, from experience, I warn: believe and operate in a false, social justice driven, narcissistic gospel - and nothing will change.  Share this deceitful gospel, and you do immeasurable damage to the Kingdom of Christ and His children. Now, with knowledge, I encourage: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbour as yourself. What better way is there? Or is there any other?

        "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honourable name by which you were called?

        "If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement." 

 ~ James 2:1-13

May God give us grace to obey Him.

_______________________________________

NOTES:
* "Woke" is most certainly a modern term for "Enlightened". If you know your history, the Enlightenment of the 17th century ought rather to have been called the En-darkenment: when man forsook his maker for his own fallible reason. I pray I don't have to mention how badly that experiment turned out.

** Racial Prejudice: This term better fits with a Biblical view of sin and the fallen human heart than such a misused and umbrella term as "racism" has nowadays become.

*** "End Times" - I argue from the position that the "end times" began when Christ made his first coming, and continue until his second coming and the consummation of all things.

How We Lost World War Two - in 2020

There is a video commemorating the Canadian liberation of Holland in 1945 that can be viewed on Facebook. In it, a girl reflects upon the freedom that Canadians brought to the Dutch held captive in their own country by the Nazis:

        "I was fifteen when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. More than 100,000 Dutch Jews never came home. Our men were put into forced labour. By 1945, we were starving. The [Allied] food drops gave us hope. And then - the Canadians came!"
        A Canadian soldier's voice rejoins:
        "Before Amsterdam, I could not have explained why we were there, all those years away from home. But the Dutch showed us why it mattered."

        This year(2020), I believe we finally forgot the reason why that freedom, which cost so dear, matters. In a little book titled, 'The Soldiers Handbook', which was my grandfather's, there is this little section on why the War - why freedom - mattered:

        "You joined up not because you wanted a fight, but because you reasoned the war out this way: 'Germany, Italy, and Japan have sent their troops across the borders of other countries in order to make the people of those countries serve them in a world [built] on National Socialistic lines. In the world that they propose, there would be no freedom as I know it: freedom to go to church where I liked and when I liked; freedom to vote; freedom to marry and raise children in a house of my own; freedom to read any papers and books; freedom to have my own say in my country's affairs; freedom to speak my own language and thoughts; freedom to criticize a government if I didn't agree with its policy; freedom to join a society or union; freedom to earn my own living and to save some money for my old age. If I, and thousands of other Canadian young men, and young men in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and other Allied countries, who believe as we do, had not offered our services to fight these Germans, Italians, and Japs*, then all of these freedoms that we enjoy would disappear. These Axis countries would have sent their armies across our borders and made us serve them. Our lives would not be worth much. We could not vote, could not go to church, could not voice our opinions. We would have instead, secret police spying on us, imposing fines, and leading us off to camps. Our children would be taken away and taught that they are the property of the State, that they should grow up to obey a Dictator's will, that family and community life are signs of weakness.'

        "That is how you reasoned out this war, and you felt very strongly about it. Of course you liked a little adventure, travelling to other countries, and seeing how other people live. But you knew that there would be hardships, there would be discipline, and there would possibly be death. You were willing to accept all of these because you felt that Canada's way of life - our way of life - in spite of some unemployment and some poor living conditions was basically better and happier than the way of life the Nazis and Italians and Japs would impose upon you.
        "You were willing to leave your home and loved ones, march with other Canadians, British, and Americans to fight for the freedom of the common man."

        75 years ago last week, Victory in Europe Day, May 8, 2020, World War II came to a close in the West. There was still the war in the East to deal with, but there was an end in sight. Freedom to live as one liked, within the bounds of moral law, was won. Or so it seemed. Gradually, and with such a slow advance as to be barely noticeable if not ignored, those freedoms paid for in blood, have been relinquished by some and stolen from others. It may not seem like much has been taken away, but it has. Let me briefly outline the facts below.

        Today, if you question an opinion made by a person with letters after their name, you are told you must be uneducated.

        Today, if you suggest another explanation for an social issue, you are branded insensitive.

        Today, if you give an opposing view to a topic, you are labelled "far this" or "far that" quite uncharitably. 

        Today, if you insist that men ought to be men - woe betide your toxic masculinity, you bigot.

        Today, if you state that women are women, what a sexist, patriarchal fool you must be.

        Today, if you argue that all people are equal in value, you are decried as a racist.

        Today you must be tolerant of everyone - and tolerant means complete agreement.

        Today, if you make your own choice to not immunize, you obviously don't care about anybody.

        Today, if you step out in the direction of what you believe is right, against the masses, you're wrong. 

        (Except there's no right and wrong anymore, unless you're wrong, or you agree with the majority, because that's right.)

        The list could go on and on and on and on and on . . . . . . . . . and on. And hardly surprising, it seems. Across the internet, through the halls of post modern education and politics, in the news articles and on social media, in everyday life, in ones wishes to go out and do this or that, and in the choices that each family makes - the freedoms that were fought for 75 years ago have vanished. Our children are taken away and indoctrinated for multiple hours everyday by the state and consumer media. The internet and mainstream media corporations censor and dispose of anything that is contrary to the popular agenda, and people are beaten and hurt for speaking their thoughts in the public square. We cannot logically criticize anyone or say what we think either online or in public. Our handheld devices drag us into the access of every form of nastiness, obscenity, and filth. And they also listen to us, know where we go, who we visit, what we do, and how we think. 

        Quite recently, we could not - and in many places still cannot - go to church where we like and when we like: that may be only temporary, but how easily it happened! Now we have also stood in eerie lines for bread at stores - which thankfully are still reasonably stocked. People cannot travel when and where they wish within their own country, let alone the world. Laws and orders have been made without the opportunity for votes or debate. Laws that make some people more equal than others. Laws that make some people less equal than others. Some people in the West - not to mention the East - have even been threatened to hand over lists and names and addresses: everyone seems to forget that totalitarian regimes make a habit of doing that. Right now it seems that everything mentioned in the little book above - mentioned as a bad thing - has come or is coming to pass.

        "And then the Canadians came!" Now, it's like they never came. Now we sit back, entertained to boredom, working non-stop to pay off infinite debt. We kill our children before they are born. We kill our parents before they are dead. We kill our marriages before they happen. We kill our economy for - what? To live a few more years on this broken world? To save people's lives today when we stabbed them in the womb four months ago and patted ourselves on the back for so doing? We are a comfortable bunch of hypocrites, acting as if everything is fine. The world is broken and is falling apart before our faces, and all we do is close our eyes. We hate even thinking about hardships, discipline, and death. We live for the latest fad, for the release from having to choose between right and wrong, for the here and now, not caring about anyone except ourselves. No armies had to march across borders to bring this devolution of society and culture. They didn't have to, for hardly anyone put up a fight. As Tolkien wrote, considering the power meant for good, but turned to evil, entrusted to men in Lord of the Rings: "They were all of them deceived."

        So, 75 years on, after the freedom for which your fathers and mine fought has been practically lost, what are we going to do about it? Can the world be fixed? How do we repent? The freedom of the common man has become slavery. Perhaps we actually missed the right sort of freedom altogether. Hopefully, we still can fight for what is right. For, God being our guide, we must.

_______________________________

* 'Japs' was slang 75 years ago, just as 'Frogs' was likewise for the French. It is now not a culturally acceptable term for the modern nation and people of Japan.

Happy Christmas to my Readers

        Seeing as I typically revive this blog for random important occasions, and seeing as Christmas is fast approaching, and seeing as I actually have something written, today I post once more on my blog. Over the past few months I have been composing a few pieces of poetry, and perhaps some might well be able to be sung as hymns. Thus, laid out below, is one of my Advent hymns which I wrote a few weeks ago, and with no little trepidation share for anyone reading my blog to peruse. Here is a brief background to the composing of this hymn.

        There seem to be times of my life when poetry and hymnody flow somewhat unforeseen and without much hard mental work from the end of my pen. Of course, that's not to say I don't think about what I write, but nevertheless, I do believe the Holy Spirit unmistakably guides my thoughts and pen at certain times. This was one of those times, when a few couplets jumped into my mind driving home from work and by the end of the next day, the hymn was complete. The hymn considers the wonderful mystery of the Incarnation, reflecting upon the paradox of the eternal, omnipotent God coming to earth as a finite, human baby. It considers the long awaited fulfillment of prophecy, both in the first and second comings of Christ, before finishing with a doxology of praise to the Triune Godhead. I hope you are blessed in the reading as I myself was surprisingly blessed in the writing. The metre and a suggested hymn tune are noted below in case any would like to know how to sing it.

Look! The King of Glory

Meter: 8.7.8.7. - Recommended tune: Merton

Look! The King enthroned in glory

Plants His footsteps on the earth.

Wonder at this marv'lous mystery

Ponder now the virgin birth.

Hear! The angels now proclaiming

Long foretold goodwill and joy.

Death defeated, life awakened

Through the advent of a boy.

See! The Father's plan unfolded

Adam's fall and curse of dust

Broken by a heav'nly Adam

Clothed in flesh to ransom us.

Lying within a smaller stable

Greater God did stoop to earth.

Crying in His mother's cradle

Born to give the second birth.

Just Redeemer of Thy people

Thou fulfilled all prophecy.

We await Thy second coming

Every eye at last shall see.

Now with gladdened hearts we bow in

Worship with the heav'nly host

Shouting "Glory!" to the Father,

Blessed Son and Holy Ghost.

Lyrics by William A. Moore, November 2019

Happy Christmas to you all!

Reflections Upon France

          At each final dinner on a Bond Tour, Mr. Bond invites anyone who wants to say something to stand and speak.  I wrote a short speech down that afternoon, reflecting upon our adventures we had, and things we learned.  Thus, here below is my speech as written, with some pictures to illustrate.

Bond Tour Speech

          Good evening, friends. I had to write down what I am planning on saying or else I'll forget it all. Nerves, you know. So here goes:

 "Mr. Bond, Ladies and Gentlemen, my friends. 

          "I speak to you now at the end of our time together, reflecting upon how quickly the time has gone, and yet how much we have experienced as a group during the past ten days.

          "We have explored many historical sites; we have been sobered by the loss of life during both World Wars; and yet we, I, have been encouraged by the reminders everywhere of the hope, freedom and peace of the Gospel, recognizing our death-bringing sinfulness but also the wonderful glory of eternal life to come for those who trust in Christ.

          "My most memorable places visited this tour included Vimy Ridge, where Canada proved herself as a valiant nation under fire over 100 years ago; and walking amongst the myriads of German crosses at St Vaast, reflecting upon the horrific death of so, so many young men on both sides of war. I also look fondly upon the memories made with a wide group of new friends, whether down in the dark Wellington Quarry, or high up the windy Eiffel Tower; and of course being encouraged by Mrs Bond to dance along the river Seine - something which I never thought I would do, but will remember forever.

          "Thank you Mr. Bond for the wealth of information you have taught me. Thank you Mrs. Bond for the work you put into helping plan the accommodations - both for food and rest. Thank you Luuk for your driving of the coach and the many places you suggested we visit. And thank you to every person seated here - every Bond Tour is unique not least because of all the people who make it so.

          "I wish safe travels to everyone and may the blessing of God our Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit go with you as you travel home.

"Thank you."

Paris - As seen from the Eiffel Tower

.

Exploring Paris with friends

Inside John Calvin's parish church

Arromanches - Seaside town in Normandy

Arromanches - Mulberry Harbour sections from WWII rise from the sand

La Cambe - WWII German Cemetery

At the Vimy Ridge Memorial

Thiepval - British & French WWI Memorial and Cemetary

Sunset over the English Channel

My two brothers and sister along with only a 
few of our wonderful friends at the final dinner.

It was truly an amazing adventure, shared with wonderful friends. I shall always remember fondly the fellowship, food, and fun shared with my older and younger brothers and sisters in Christ.

_______________

Written and Posted by William A. Moore

A New Short Film

From HentyCrew Films comes a short film created for a competition, but also made to share the story of my brother as he returned to the place where my grandfather landed in Europe during WWII.

Vote for the film here, if you wish: https://rode.com/myrodereel/watch/entry/5117

July 1st - Dominion Day

        Today is July First. Many call it 'Canada Day' - I refer to it as the day was originally called: Dominion Day. Canada's official title is 'The Dominion of Canada'. This name originates from the motto on Canada's Coat of Arms which, in Latin, reads A Mare Usque Ad Mare or in English From Sea to Sea. The phrase itself is directly taken from Psalm 72:8: "And he shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth."

        Our Fathers of Confederation, the ones who drafted up Canada's Coat of Arms and her motto knew exactly what they were saying. They were firstly pointing to the role of an earthly leader, as Psalm 72 shows, who governs a land with righteousness, justice, and mercy, as a steward of God. But secondly, and perhaps most importantly, they were reminding us, the people of Canada that there is a higher authority over all the earth - the Lord God Almighty.

        He it is who has created this world and given each of us our own little sphere of responsibility. This is an out working of the Genesis Dominion mandate which set out our job to be stewards of this earth under the Lord's authority. We are certainly not perfect at this, but mercifully there is One who is perfect. 

        That is the man, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He reigns over me. He reigns over Toronto. He reigns over Canada. He reigns over the universe. The Lord is the one who has ultimate Dominion from sea to sea, and to the ends of the earth. He rescues sinners from the domain of the devil, and transfers them to kingdom of God. He will execute holy justice and mercy over the world. He will come again and reign in eternal power and glory.

        So what does this all have to do with the first day of July? First, it should remind us of the fallenness of our world. We will never have perfect dominion over Canada, over the world. Second, we should remember that Psalm 72 points toward a future King who will reign in righteousness. Finally, we ought to live in light of that truth - we need to submit our whole being to Christ's Lordship. The Dominion of Canada ought only to serve as a shadow, a faint picture of what God intends for Christians for eternity: endless years of eternal happiness and freedom in the Dominion of Christ.

Happy Dominion Day!

_______________

Written and Posted by William A. Moore