Christianity
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The genius of Henry Francis Lyte
Last month I wrote that Devon hasn’t produced many well-known hymn writers. But one of the greatest arrived in Devon from Hampshire early in 1822 at the age of 29 and, with his family, moved to Bramble Torr, a...
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The Devon hymn-writer who prepared a lantern for Christ
Next month sees the Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration from 13-17 June, with Victorian Songs of Praise at Pip and Jim’s on Sunday 17 June. Devon hasn’t produced many well-known hymn writers but Sabine Baring-Gould was an interesting and remarkable exception...
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Stories with the ring of truth
Every Easter when I re-read the stories of Jesus appearing to his disciples on the first Easter Sunday, I am convinced that no one could have made them up. Perhaps the most touching is the account of Jesus appearing...
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The secret of George Müller’s happiness
When I was young we used to sing a quaint hymn which began, ‘With harps and with viols there stand a great throng in the presence of Jesus, and sing this new song …’ It had a catchy tune...
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Boniface and the story of the Christmas tree
St Boniface, who was born in or near Crediton around the year 675, went on to play a central role in the conversion to Christianity of what we now call Germany. But he is also important as we think about...
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Richard Hooker and the Anglican way to worship
Heavitree, when I grew up there, had been for many years a suburb of Exeter. But when Richard Hooker (1554-1600) was born there, Heavitree was separated from Devon’s county town by fields and meadows. Richard Hooker proved to be an...
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From Devon to Canterbury
In the entire history of the Church of England there has only been one father and son who have both become Archbishop of Canterbury – and they have a strong Devon connection. The father was Frederick Temple, one of whose...
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George Martin and Dodman Point cross, Cornwall
On Friday, 24 July 2015, Sheila and I walked from Treveague Farm, Gorran Haven, in Cornwall to Dodman Point. Dominating the scene is a large, granite cross erected in 1896 by Rev George Martin. The National Trust...
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Michael Gove: Why I’m proud to be a Christian
Michael Gove: Why I'm proud to be a Christian (and Jeremy Paxman should be ashamed) Jeremy Paxman was on great form last week, reminding us that when it...
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The man the Archbishop of Canterbury would have loved to meet
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, visited this year's Soul Survivor - an annual major Christian youth event in Britain. He was interviewed while there and the interview is available on U-Tube. At the end of the interview he was...
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