Back to series
Poem: The Windows
Open a print-friendly PDF of this article.
Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word?
He is a brittle, crazy glass
Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford
This glorious and transcendent place,
To be a window, through thy grace.
But when thou dost anneal in glass thy story,
Making thy life to shine within
The holy Preacher’s, then the light and glory
More rev’rend grows, and more doth win;
Which else shows waterish, bleak, and thin.
Doctrine and life, colours and light, in one
When they combine and mingle, bring
A strong regard and awe; but speech alone
Doth vanish like a flaring thing,
And in the ear, not conscience, ring.
Davie Donald, The New Oxford Book of Christian Verse (Oxford University Press, 1981), p. 76-77.

George Herbert
PoetGeorge Herbert, Poet, (1593 – 1633) was known for his humility and self-scrutiny. His poems and lyrics point to the amazing juxtaposition of contrition and gospel-boldness. Born in Wales, raised in England, and educated at Cambridge, he then served as a priest in the Church of England. Although never a healthy man, he tirelessly served the people in his small congregation, being remembered as one who traveled to parishioners’ homes to pray for them and also to bring food and clothing to anyone who needed them.

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.
-
Recent Podcasts
Questions That Matter – Gavin Ortlund and Why God Makes Sense in a World that Doesn’t
by Randy Newman, Gavin Ortlund on January 27, 2023In a confusing and often crazy world we...Read More
-
Jim Phillips: Great Books as Great Bridges
by Jim Phillips on January 27, 2023
-
The Side B Stories – Ken Boa
by Jana Harmon, Ken Boa on January 20, 2023
-
Recent Publications
Reflections: We Must Be Ready At All Moments
by C.S. Lewis Institute on February 1, 2023C.S. Lewis gives a summary of why modern...Read More
-
Reflections: Seize Any Time And Place
by C.S. Lewis Institute on January 1, 2023
-
Reflections: The Poem Itself
by C.S. Lewis Institute on December 7, 2022
0
All Booked
0.00
All Booked
0.00
All Booked
17553
GLOBAL EVENT: 2023 Study Tour of C.S. Lewis’ Belfast & Oxford
https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-2023-study-tour-of-c-s-lewis-belfast-oxford&event_date=2023-06-24®=1
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
2023-06-24

Next coming event
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
GLOBAL EVENT: 2023 Study Tour of C.S. Lewis’ Belfast & Oxford
On June 24, 2023 at 12:00 pmat Belfast, Northern Ireland & Oxford, EnglandTags
Speakers
George Herbert
Poet
Team Members

George Herbert
PoetGeorge Herbert, Poet, (1593 – 1633) was known for his humility and self-scrutiny. His poems and lyrics point to the amazing juxtaposition of contrition and gospel-boldness. Born in Wales, raised in England, and educated at Cambridge, he then served as a priest in the Church of England. Although never a healthy man, he tirelessly served the people in his small congregation, being remembered as one who traveled to parishioners’ homes to pray for them and also to bring food and clothing to anyone who needed them.
