Lift Up Your Hearts

The Dean, who preached on Wednesday, read an extract from the Rule of S Benedict to illustrate the work of the Archdeacon. It seems to me to apply as guidance to any person of business. 


Of the Cellarer of the Monastery

As cellarer of the monastery let there be chosen from the community one who is wise, of mature character, sober, not a great eater, not haughty, not excitable, not offensive, not slow, not wasteful, but a God-fearing man who may be like a father to the whole community.

Let him have charge of everything. He shall do nothing without the Abbot's orders, but keep to his instructions. 

Let him not vex the brethren. If any brother happens to make some unreasonable demand of him, instead of vexing the brother with a contemptuous refusal he should humbly give the reason for denying the improper request. Let him keep guard over his own soul, mindful always of the Apostle's saying that "he who has ministered well will acquire for himself a good standing" (1 Tim. 3:13).

Let him take the greatest care of the sick, of children, of guests and of the poor, knowing without doubt that he will have to render an account for all these on the Day of Judgment.

Let him regard all the utensils of the monastery and its whole property as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar. Let him not think that he may neglect anything. He should be neither a miser nor a prodigal and squanderer of the monastery's substance, but should do all things with measure and in accordance with the Abbot's instructions.

Above all things let him have humility; and if he has nothing else to give let him give a good word in answer for it is written, "A good word is above the best gift" (Eccles. 18:17). Let him have under his care all that the Abbot has assigned to him, but not presume to deal with what he has forbidden him.

Let him give the brethren their appointed allowance of food without any arrogance or delay, that they may not be scandalized, mindful of the Word of God as to what he deserves "who shall scandalize one of the little ones" (Matt 18:6).

If the community is a large one, let helpers be given him, that by their assistance he may fulfill with a quiet mind the office committed to him. The proper times should be observed in giving the things that have to be givenand asking for the things that have to be asked for, that no one may be troubled or vexed in the house of God.

A Haileybury Week

At the beginning of the week there was a meeting at Haileybury for parents of those in Lower School 2 all about the International Baccalaureate which can be taken by VI form pupils instead of A levels. It is possible that in time IB may come to replace A Levels altogether in schools like Haileybury. I have posed about IB before, and I think it is a great course. Haileybury has offred the option for over a decade now and has great experience and deep enthusiasm for the courses.

Then, after the shenanigans on Wednesday the General Committee met on Thursday evening. It is the President's job to chair the meeting and it was my first time. It is quite a big group and there is much wisdom at the table in many different fields. We reviewed the finances, which are in good shape, and considered forthcoming events. Members will have had notice of various opportunities - I shall try and post a list in the next few days. Then there was a discussion about the communication we have with OHs, and reflection on how the Society does its work. The Director of development gave a report and the Master said a little about the work of the new schools in Khazakhstan.

Today an e-mail from the Haileybury Youth Trust - do visit their site here. Tomorrow I shall be up at school to collect the boys for an exeat. Qute a Haileybury week.

PS Still not quite ready with what we hope will be good news. Soon. Be patient!

"Wear it Out"!

Sir Bartle Frere and Henry Melvill are buried in the crypt of S Paul's cathedral where we gathered last evening following the installation.  There were lots of living Haileyburians as well. The Master; the Chaplain, The Rev'd Chris Briggs; the General Secretary, Robin Bishop; the Chairman of Council, Michael Gatenby (K 1958) were there as well as the two of my sons who are so far Haileyburians, my sister Anne (H & Aby 1984).

James Thomson, the Master of the London Charterhouse & Past President (C 1953) is sadly not in the picture but he was there. He was the originator of the President's medal which he presented to the Society in its 50th year. I slipped it on under my robes, but the magenta ribbon was showing and the Dean asked after it. He siad "Wear it out!" meaning on top of the robes so that it could be seen in church which I duly did. The Bishop was similarly indulgent. 

The Master, by the way, must be getting fed up with me. I went to a parents' meeting on Tuesday and saw him there, he kindly came to the installation yesterday, and tonight he was at the General Committee of the Society which I chaired. More about that meeting tomorrow.

The happy event which I hope to be able to report looks as if it may indeed come to pass, but be patient on that one. 

Servant

After tonight's service at S Paul's cathedral at which I was installed as Archdeacon of Hampsted there was a wonderful surprise when someone came over and said 'You won't remember me, but you were my fag.' I thought Ihad not seen Jim Dodgin (H 1978) since he left in 1980, but he reminded me that I had entertained him to tea - made by my fag - in 1984 when I was at the top of the school.

Fagging was of course open to abuse, but the £7 a term I was paid by Jim for cleaning his shoes, making his bed and tidying his study was riches indeed. It also meant that I had a supporter in the VI who would not stand for anyone else pushing me about (too much). In those days Removes had no private space at all - linving in the dormitory and in the DC, and there were moments, once it had been tidied, and when he was out, that Jim's study could be mine.

You were my Fag

There was also an arm chair, which had been Jim's and which I aquired when he left. It took that chair right up the school, and jolly comfy it was too. I wonder what happened to it.

I know it could be a bad thing, but fagging was a system that had a lot of good in it too. Being a servant for a bit made me alert to those who serve me in different ways in life. Amid all the gradeur of the Cathedral (and what fun it was!) it did me no harm at all tonight to be reminded of how to be a boss and to be reminded that I was and still am a servant.

Thanks to all those others who came tonight to support and pray for me - there were lots of Haileybury people there. More tomorrow and maybe some very good news indeed in the next couple of days about that which was lost and which might now have been found.

Here is the News

It is what comes of watching trash TV, where I saw it, but here is a You Tube clip of Chris Lowe (L 1962) "interviewing" Osama bin Laden. Chris, who occasionally presented the BBC news in his OH tie, is a member of Council and Director of the Development Board.