Growing With My Garden

This post ends our work with George MacDonald’s novel Thomas Wingfold.  After a three week break, we will turn next to Paul Faber, Surgeon, the novel which is a sequel to this one, and which MacDonald thought to be his best work in the novel genre.  As soon as I have a syllabus prepared. I will send it out to you.  If you have friends who might be interested, invite them to join us. Our reading for today continues focusing our attention upon the spiritual progress that is being made in most of the characters.  While Leopold’s health is declining , Wingfold makes regular visits to the Manor House, and in one of his conversations with him, Wingfold gives what is a splendid summary of the manner in which the Spirit of God works with people: . . . all about us, in earth and air, wherever eye or ear can reach there is a power ever breathing itself forth in signs, now in a daisy, now in a wind-waft, a cloud, a sunset; a power that holds constant and sweetest relation ...

We have one more session and we will have completed this novel.  We’ll take a short break and then turn to another work.  If you have any suggestions as to what you would like us to read next, please let me know.  My email address is rolland.hein@wheaton.edu.  Possibilities that come quickly to mind are:  GMD’s novel Paul Faber: Surgeon, which is a fine sequel to our novel; any of the works of Lewis, or any of the works of Charles Williams, or whatever.  I would enjoy hearing f rom you. Early in our reading for this session, Wingfold visits Helen and they have a tense interchange.  Nevertheless, when Wingfold has left and Helen is alone, “she began to know in heart that the curate was right.”  Just as it is listening to his conscience that has brought peace to Leopold, so our hope for Helen’s peace of heart lies in her listening to her conscience and obeying it. As Wingfold leaves, he is so filled with righteous anger he “could no longer ...

 Thomas Wingfold: Chapters 46 - 63 I know I speak for all fellow readers when I say each comment on prior posts has really been appreciated.  Be sure to read them. They have really stimulated me to further thought, as I’m sure they effect all who read them similarly.  I cannot help wondering how many are reading and enjoying our novel.  I’m confident that all who give their imaginations to it find it an insightful and provocative experience.  So much of the value of what we are doing lies in sharing our responses with each other. We’d all like to hear a comment from you; don’t feel as though what you say must be profound.  Share with us whatever thoughts come to mind, or questions you may have.  Our reading for this week begins with Wingfold delivering a strong sermon on Christ’s invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. . . .”  Again, people like Mrs Ramshorn and Bascombe react negatively a...

Much of the fascination in this week’s reading lies in the subtle yet persistent ways in which God is shown to be working in the characters’ lives in a variety of situations. Helen’s spiritual awakening is begun by her selflessly ministering to her brother Leopold.  “. . . without any thought, not to say knowledge of him, she had yet been doing the will of the Heart of the world.”  This is the beginning of her way to God. When Leopold expresses a desire to talk to Bascombe, Helen is reluctant to bring the two together.  In riding with Bascombe and hearing his opinions, something within her takes exception to them: “She thought her cousin very clever, but could not enjoy what he said. . . .”  As one reads, the text continues to give evidence of God’s subtle working in her thought life. When Wingfold visits Polwarth, the latter shares a poem he wrote describing the mystery of God’s working within his own experience.  He goes so far as to say his very thoughts...