QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

The Magnetic Meeting

Dare I claim, with prophets far and nigh, that I have been to the mountain top?

Drawn there by magnetic force, as the medieval legend and Mandeville's "Travels" relate; but having been stripped in the process, as nails from boards, of all my internal supports. My privileged status in the community, my 20+ years of education, my exalted vocation, my indomitable confidence in my decisions, and ultimately my prideful hope for the future - all unwittingly removed from me as I drew closer to the Magnetic Mountain.

Yet, what initially I believed to be a curse was actually a blessing for making it to the mountain top unburdened by the weight of my self-centeredness. Such an experience, to me, is not unlike what I feel drawn by Quaker Meeting to offer as vocal ministry.

Stripped of any sense of status, learning, and even ministry, I allow myself to be unburdened of self. Then I follow Another's decisions and hope for the future.

The effort, as the climb, is often gradual, even relaxed; yet, just as often, steep and thrusting at its conclusion. More breathless, as the air seems thinner, words come slow, even painfully so, until I can get a footing.

Atop, the view is clear and sharp leaving me to think that this view from the Magnetic Mountain can be the message for the Magnetic Meeting. Then I realize that, for those who have not left the safe harbor of self, it's just a nice and somewhat confusing personal account. What a pity - really and truly!

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Comment by Tony Smith on 8th mo. 9, 2013 at 11:38am: I was not familiar with the Travels of Sir John Mandeville when I first read your blog. It is a travel book written in the late 14th century. While it was one of the most popular books of the Middle Ages it is a fantasy book filled with bizarre fabrications. The text is interesting reading but not completely true fact. I am familiar with magnetism, magnetic lines of flux, and their effects on the Earth’s magnetic field. Navigators relied on the magnetic compass to guide them in their travels for centuries. But the compass, an instrument that reacts to the Earth’s magnetic field, is not an absolute accurate predictor of one’s heading. Why? It is because the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field varies slightly depending on where you are around the globe. Also, the Earth’s magnetic field is distorted by objects within your vessel that are made of ferrous magnetic materials (e.g. the ship’s hull, the sail mast, cargo, etc). Navigators have learned over time that even a tiny angular degree of error will significantly change your destination port when traveling long distances.

And so, with the above being said, I offer the following travel advice to all Friends as you chart your course and embark on the journey to the Magnetic Mountain. Do not rely on fictitious travel manuals. Understand that your spiritual compass can be influenced by the magnetic field of your destination. Don’t be drawn by false magnetic forces. Question and challenge everything. Rely on your knowledge, your education, your support system, and the Light which will guide you to safe harbor. Life is a long journey and there is so much in stake to lose.

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