Yesterday was the feast day of Thomas Ken, who wrote the hymn below. I did not read the Lectionary until last night or I would have posted this yesterday. The only verse that I knew before today was the final verse, the Doxology, but the rest of the hymn is lovely also.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily course of duty run.
Cast off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.
All praise to thee, who safe hast kept
and hast refreshed me while I slept!
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless life partake.
All praise to thee, my God, this night
for all the blessings of the light.
Keep me, oh keep me, King of Kings,
beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Today is the feast day of Thomas De Koven:
James de Koven was born in Connecticut in 1831, ordained to the priesthood in 1855, and promptly became a professor of Church history at Nashotah House, a seminary of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin. In 1859 he became Warden of Racine College, an Episcopal college in Racine, Wisconsin. Nashotah House was from its inception dedicated to an increased emphasis on the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and on the use of ritual practices that recognized and honored that presence. This met opposition from other Christians who were suspicious (1) of anything that suggested Roman Catholicism, (2) of anything that seemed fancy and pretentious, as opposed to the plain, blunt, simplicity that was considered to be an American virtue as well as a virtue of the New Testament Church, and (3) of anything that varied from the practices they had become used to as children.
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In 1874 he was elected Bishop of Wisconsin, and in 1875 Bishop of Illinois, but because he was "controversial" he failed both times to have his election ratified by a majority of Bishops and a majority of Standing Committees of Dioceses, as required by canon law.
De Koven's story serves as a timely reminder that controversy within the Episcopal Church did not begin with the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson.
UPDATE: Elizabeth at Telling Secrets has posted a lovely sermon on Thomas De Koven by Cynthia Hallas.
there is an Episcopal retreat center in Racine WI (about 2 hrs north of Chicago) named after DeKoven. My brother and his wife were married in the chapel there, which is quite nice and very English.
ReplyDeleteIf you find yourself near Racine go visit the DeKoven center sometime.
http://www.dekovencenter.pair.com/
Dennis, that's good to know. I like reading the lives of the saints, especially the more obscure saints, because I pick up interesting bits of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI went to the DeKoven Center's site. The chapel is lovely and very English, with the seats along the wall.
About 25 miles from here is a small Episcopal church that looks very like St. John's on the outside, but is quite different inside. It is no longer a parish church but is used a few times a year for concerts, weddings, and baptisms.