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Open letters after a church service
Jan. 20th, 2008 12:53 pmDear Hymn-meddlers:
I have no objection to hymn-meddling ("Brother, sister, let me serve you" is a nice inclusive rephrasing of "Brother, let me be your servant") but I do ask that you find out what the words mean before you start meddling. An example from December 2006: "Pleased as us with us to dwell" does not mean the same thing as the original "Pleased as Man with man to dwell"; in fact it doesn't mean anything much. An example from today: "Be thou all else but naught to me" does not mean the same as "Naught be all else to me", and what it does mean is a rather weak sentiment. Also, like many of the other results of your meddling, it doesn't scan, leaving the congregation in confusion.
Dear Minister:
I promise not to giggle uncontrollably during your otherwise entertaining sermon if you promise not to talk about Jesus being baptised with the dribble of the Holy Spirit.
I have no objection to hymn-meddling ("Brother, sister, let me serve you" is a nice inclusive rephrasing of "Brother, let me be your servant") but I do ask that you find out what the words mean before you start meddling. An example from December 2006: "Pleased as us with us to dwell" does not mean the same thing as the original "Pleased as Man with man to dwell"; in fact it doesn't mean anything much. An example from today: "Be thou all else but naught to me" does not mean the same as "Naught be all else to me", and what it does mean is a rather weak sentiment. Also, like many of the other results of your meddling, it doesn't scan, leaving the congregation in confusion.
Dear Minister:
I promise not to giggle uncontrollably during your otherwise entertaining sermon if you promise not to talk about Jesus being baptised with the dribble of the Holy Spirit.
