Philip Henry Gosse

Philip Henry Gosse

Some years ago I read the "classic" "Father and Son," authored by Edmund Gosse, the only son of Philip and Emily Gosse.

The first time I read it, I found it strangely poignant, and quite an enjoyable exercise. A few years later I re-read it and found little delight at all!

The book now appeared to be somewhat inaccurate and biased. I felt for Philip and spent some time and effort searching for works by him as well as about him. From what I learnt it seems apparent that Edmund maligned him most dreadfully!

Books by Philip Gosse, certainly early print-runs are scarce and expensive. I managed to buy four modern re-prints.

This morning I dipped into his book titled "The Mysteries of God: A Series of Expositions of Holy Scripture;" first published in 1884.

I turned to one of his papers on the "Rapture." On reading the article it became clear to me that I would find little help there as I was unable to follow his argument and had no idea what some of the expressions meant!

Philip Gosse excelled in a number of disciplines not least Marine Biology; he appears to be the "inventor" of the "aquarium." But I think I will look elsewhere for the teaching of the Scriptures! But I do love him in the Lord, or at least the memory of him.    



Three Score Years and Ten

"THREE SCORE YEARS AND TEN."

By the grace of God I reached this milestone along this pilgrim pathway last Wednesday, 28th September. Some eleven years earlier I stood on the brink of eternity. I had to undergo a triple-heart bypass; I was very ill indeed, described by my Consultant as "a walking time-bomb!"

Having come under deserved chastisement at the hand of the one who gave up His lovely Son to death on my part, I did not know how he would answer me. Cast upon Him I spoke as Hezekiah did those many centuries ago, but without any claims to righteousness in order to expect anything of His favour.

I am still "in the body" and relatively very well. But of much greater moment is the fact that I have learned to love Him so much more, feebly though that is of course. He taught me a lesson divine that has changed my life. He glorified Himself in healing me, and He has given me the opportunity to worship and serve Him, and that should it please Him, that more glory will attach to Him thereby. 

"Three score years and ten" Psalm 90 v.10 now gives me extra food for thought. I trust it will do the same for you as for the first time you consider the reality of your own mortality, and the grace of God that has brought you thus far.