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Introduction
From 1630 to his tragically early death just three years later, George Herbert was parish clergyman in Bemerton, Wiltshire. Sensitive and artistic, but stubborn in good principles, he was much loved by his parishioners. Here, Izaak Walton recalls how Herbert expounded the purpose and chief feasts of the Christian calendar, from Christmas to Pentecost.
He [George Herbert] instructed them also what benefit they had by the Church’s appointing the celebration of holy-days and the excellent use of them, namely, that they were set apart particular commemorations of particular mercies received from Almighty God; and — as Reverend Mr Hooker says* — to be the landmarks to distinguish times; for by them we are taught to take notice how time passes by us, and that we ought not to let the years pass without a celebration of praise for those mercies which those days give us occasion to remember, and therefore they were to note that the year is appointed to begin the 25th day of March;* a day in which we commemorate the angel’s appearing to the Blessed Virgin, with the joyful tidings that “she should conceive and bear a son, that should be the redeemer of mankind.” And she did so forty weeks after this joyful salutation; namely, at our Christmas; a day in which we commemorate his birth with joy and praise: and that eight days after this happy birth we celebrate his circumcision; namely, in that which we call New Year’s day.
* Richard Hooker (?1554-1600), author of The the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity (1594-1662). Hooker is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the intellectual life of the Church of England under Elizabeth I and James I. He was a vigorous opponent of the Presbyterianism that eventually dominated after Charles I was executed in 1649, and Oliver Cromwell’s Puritans governed the country.
* Herbert will shortly give January 1st as New Year. March 25th, Lady Day, was the Anglo-Saxon New Year, and Herbert evidently regarded it as the honorary beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year.
Précis
Izaak Walton recalled how George Herbert spoke of the feasts of the Church year. They were important returning landmarks, he said, showing the merciful acts of God which all of us should constantly hold in our minds. Herbert mentioned Lady Day first, as a beginning, then Christmas, and a week later New Year’s Day, marking the Circumcision of Christ. (59 / 60 words)
Izaak Walton recalled how George Herbert spoke of the feasts of the Church year. They were important returning landmarks, he said, showing the merciful acts of God which all of us should constantly hold in our minds. Herbert mentioned Lady Day first, as a beginning, then Christmas, and a week later New Year’s Day, marking the Circumcision of Christ.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, despite, just, not, ought, since, who.
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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