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You will notice one or two changes in this issue of your Magazine, and I hope you will agree that they are changes for the good and not just
"changes".
I am hoping to have a "Personality Page" in each future issue, and the system, will be to spotlight members of the staff in order of length of
service, with Barnardo's. Who better to start this feature but Mr. Maslin? I thank Mr. Randall for his co-operation in writing the appropriate
tribute.
My congratulations to Eric Holden for producing the two best snapshots in the competition, and to John Smoker in coming third. I was rather
disappointed with the small number of entries, but that does not lessen the standard of the photographs that were submitted. I think the owl is
really terrific.
Although the next publication will not be until Christmas, we have the summer holiday in between, and the competition for that issue will be
one prize for the best holiday snapshot, and one prize for the best holiday story (non-fiction).
One last word in the form of an appeal. Please let me have ALL copy in for the Christmas issue as early as possible and not later than Monday,
25th November. Copy should be written on one side of the paper in ink (or typewritten). Thank you!
Seeing is Believing
One experience during my recent holiday in Austria I shall never forget. Most days the rain descended steadily as it did in England and on one
such day, with a few friends, I motored into Switzerland to a place called Santis, where there is a cable lift, which carries passengers, a few at
a time, to the top of one of the alpine peaks. If you can imagine a mountain side with steel pylons built every hundred yards or so up the steep
slopes and a steel rope slung between them stretching over deep crevasses you can picture the scene in your mind. Along the steel cable travels
a small cabin, hanging from it into space. For the greater part of the journey we passed through the clouds, able to see only a few yards of the
cable either side of the cabin until it disappeared into the mist, apparently with no support whatever. I thought of Doubting Thomas of the
scriptures and what a panic he would have been in, if it were true that he only believed in what he could see. Though it was rather an eerie
feeling for us, we should have been very stupid to become alarmed, for we well knew that many had passed e same way in safety and a
moment's reflection assured us that controller of the mechanism knew his business and wanted us e safely. How true this is of our earthly life,
We cannot see very far ahead and sometimes we have to pass through clouds of sorrow or misfortune, but the wise travel the road of life in
faith and hope, trusting that in God's good time His light will shine upon them. For me and my companions that hope was soon fulfilled, for
eventually we rose above the clouds and sunshine flooded the snowclad mountain side. Arrived at the summit, we got out of the cable car and
entertained ourselves in the freshly fallen snow. This was a most unusual exercise in the middle of July and I was mighty thankful that none
of my companions could match the Goldings boys in speed and accuracy of throw.
R. F. W.
Competition
"They that deny God destroy man's nobility; for certainly man is of kin to the beasts by his body, and if he be not kin to God by his spirit he is
a base and ignoble creature . . . Take an example of a dog, and mark what a generosity and courage he will put on when he finds himself
maintained by a man ... So man, when he resteth and assureth himself upon divine protection and favour, gathereth a force and faith which
human nature itself could not obtain. Therefore, as atheism is in all respects hateful, so in this, that it depriveth human nature of the means to
exalt itself above human frailty."
BACON (ESSAYS)
What does this mean? Put it in your own words so that its meaning is clearly understood by an average Goldings boy. Pass the result of your
work (not more than 200 words) to the Chaplain. A prize will be awarded the writer of the best entry, which will be judged by a schoolmaster,
a housemaster, and another.
Chaplain's Notes
FEELINGS
Our behaviour should not depend on our feelings. If it did. little work would be done, and there would be much chaos in the world. I mean, if
we are only good-mannered and industrious, and honest and pure, when we feel like it, what frightful beings we should be! No! Actions should
be the fruits of disciplined lives, and the boy or man who is tempted to be terribly bad-tempered and "all upset inside", yet can still play the
game and uphold the the dignity of his humanity, and can still be polite and respect his tutors and employers—he is the one who becomes
master of himself, which is true freedom indeed.
PRINCIPALS
Part of a minister's duty is to remind his flock of the simple discipline of going to church, reading the Bible, saying prayers faithfully,
receiving the Holy Communion regularly. But how often do we here it said: "I don't feel like it!" Should these things depend on our feelings ?
Should we only do them when we feel like it? Should we only drive carefully when we feel like it—or raise our hats to a lady—or go to school
or wash our necks? No! A good life is a disciplined life, with principles of conduct and behaviour which remain unchanged through all its
changing scenes. We must be careful lest, by only attending to the things of God "when we feel like it", our "feelings" become responsible for
losing our raison d'etre altogether.
WIMBLEDON
I think it is only necessary now to add two things to all that has been said in complimenting the ball-boys. The first is that we hope to have a
cooler rig for next year, and the second is to quote from a leader article in the Times.
"How fascinating are the ball-boys who 'flicker to and fro, to and fro'. The ball-boy is an essential part of one of the famous scenes of the
world, the squire of immortal knights. He is for ever a-tip toe, ready to dash forward, stoop at full gallop to retrieve a ball and so across the
court with his prize. It is frightening to contemplate what would happen if in his enthusiasm he should stumble, but he never does; he is safely
over and teed up again on the other side, his eyes glued on the players. The learned sometimes tell the unlearned that never have they seen
some eminent personage exhibit the quality of concentration so well and with such few lapses. But the ball-boy never loses his concentration.
Ping—he darts across the court. Pong—here he is back again." Rather nice isn't it? And in such an important newpaper too! Congratulations,
ball-boys and all who helped to make this year such a success.
E. A.
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