Poem - God's Garden. COMMENT to the Templar Annual Service

Comments, Knights, Poems, 

From Donald

domdonald.org.uk 

Dear William,

One poem leads to picture and poem again.

Families also processed in the Knights Templar celebration.

In the Buffet, talking with a mother and the children, I came to my news' of "God's Garden".  Joan's interest was the instant response of the poem and her  garden, "God's Garden".  She has been fond of the poem, - 

"One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth."

The Blog prompts the happy association of picture and poem above, (the full poem shown below, W,).  

 Thank you ...

Donald. 

  &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&     

Fw: Poem -- 'God's Garden'.  

On Sunday, 25 May 2014, 11:48, William ...
> wrote:

Dear Father Donald,

...  

Edith was thrilled to see her garden photos on your Blog! The garden is her retreat - she often quotes the line from the poem, 'God's Garden': "One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth" (the full poem is shown below!)

It will be wonderful to celebrate the Ascension with you on Thursday! Such a bonus for me!

Nearly there! DV.

With my love in Our Lord,

William

  

        Poem - God's Garden

THE Lord God planted a garden
In the first white days of the world,
And He set there an angel warden
In a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,
That the hawk might nest with the wren,
For there in the cool of the even
God walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden-closes
With their shade and their sun-flecked sod
And their lilies and bowers of roses,
Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,--
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.

For He broke it for us in a garden
Under the olive-trees
Where the angel of strength was the warden
And the soul of the world found ease. 

                                 Dorothy Frances Gurney  

Knights Templar Annual Divine Service

Knights Templar , 25 May 2014

Annual Divine  Service

Opening Hymn  Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus

First Reading  Matthew 5:1-10

Homily  Abbot Mark Caira

 

Clear sky after night of pouring rain.
Reflection from pot holes 

 

Melrose (Abbey) Heart of Bruce

Melrose Abbey - heart and crown symbolising Bruce's heart

Archie, KCT, and a friend  Alex, visited us this afternoon.

One event recently was the discovery of an exciting
memorial of the Heart of Bruce at Melrose Abbey.

^{In the manner of the BBC Antique Roadshow, Archie, in a Melrose shop,
found a wrought moulded commemoration of Robert Bruce's heart.} 

^{He is an enthusiast for the like of this antique.} 

^{He aimed to get back to purchase it only it was already bought - so disappointed!}

^{Before Christmas, a package was delivered at home for his wife.} 

^{To their amazement the object was the 'sculpture' of Heart of Bruce.} 

^{It was an even more surprising Christmas gift - it was won by Joan in a Raffle.}

^{The photographs show the size of the model. It is already used in cermonial events of the Knights.}

The Knights Templars of the Preceptory and Priory of St. Bernard De Clairvaux prepare to celebrate the Feast of Pentcost, Sunday 7th. May. at Nunraw

^{Local school history fills out the details regarding the motto of the Bruce's rallying cry, 'DOE OR DIE'.} 

Table-top dimensions of Robert Bruce's memorial.

The Kelso High School - School Badge
www.kelso.scotborders.sch.uk » Information
The Kelso High School badge was adopted when the school was opened and is based on the Coat of Arms of Douglas of Springwood, an estate just across the River Tweed from Kelso.
The leader of the Scots, King Robert the Bruce, having successfully gained Scottish independence from England, was keen to go on the crusades to the Holy Land. However, ill health prevented this and he died in 1329. He made his close ally, Sir James Douglas, promise to take his heart to the Holy Land after his death.

After he died, Bruce's heart was wrapped in lead and placed in a silver casket. Douglas, together with some followers, set off to fight in the crusades. They landed at Seville in Spain and joined the fighting there. Douglas was killed in battle at Zebas de Ardales on 25th March 1330. His body and Bruce's heart were brought back to Scotland and Bruce's heart was buried at Melrose Abbey.
In recognition of this deed, the Douglas' were awarded the Coat of Arms with the heart and crown symbolising Bruce's heart. The motto 'Doe or Die' commemorate Bruce's rallying cry to his troops "let us do or die" before the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and immortalised by Robert Burns in his famous song Scots Wa' Hae. The badge was adopted by Kelso High School when it was founded.