"Will there be any stars in that crown I receive when I leave my earthly shroud behind?" (Swedish SA Songbook) Painting by Swedish artist Bengt Engman. The salvationist asks that he be allowed to wear his guernsey as his robes of white are presented. The original painting hangs in the corps hall in Vansbro, Sweden, the home town of the artist.
Friday, January 25, 2008
A Salvationist enters heaven...
"Will there be any stars in that crown I receive when I leave my earthly shroud behind?" (Swedish SA Songbook) Painting by Swedish artist Bengt Engman. The salvationist asks that he be allowed to wear his guernsey as his robes of white are presented. The original painting hangs in the corps hall in Vansbro, Sweden, the home town of the artist.
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5 comments:
I have carried my Officer ID in my wallet for 38 years and my small Covenant Card. At age 63, memory fading, I am forgetting words of the Old Hymns I was brought up on and eyesight going, but I still carry those two cards in my wallet and my Brand New Captains uniform which now has moth holes in it and the stars are missing has laid at the bottom of my cedar chest for 38 years. I said when I left if I have to take this uniform off now I will never put it on again. And I want it buried with me in my coffin . __But I have no regrets. I did what I had to do . I never looked back and did not turn into a pillar of salt. __Thank you all Annonymous' God Bless All of Us
I don't know "Captain" if you'll return to the article where you posted your heart stirring comments, however, if you do, here's a heads up- I'm trying to "connect" with a copy of a painting by a celebrated Swedish artist, Bengt Engman and share it in the blog.__
Bengt became a friend in his latter years; met some 25 years ago in his home town of Vansbro where he was once a Junior Soldier. His love for the army never left him and he painted a lovely rendition of a salvationist entering the gates of heaven- as the salvationist enters he surrendered his tunic, but said to St. Peter, "Sir, I'd be pleased if I could leave my guernsey on - you see I wore it as I was sworn in, and it's the color of the blood that saved me!" And the painting depicts the robes of white being presented to the salvationist; tunic laid to the side but still dressed in his scarlet jersey.__
I wrote a piece 3 years ago for the Swedish Former SA Officers magazine about my meeting Bengt and his joining our family for a Christmas Eve dinner.- The magazine is supported officially by The SA in Sweden, by the way!
Maybe we ought to follow suit...be buried in our uniforms and be dressed for the arrival as we hear the strains of, " There's a Welcome Home!"__
Blessings, Sven
Thank you for sharing that colourful folk art. Interesting how Swedish ethnic culture crosses into our salvationist culture. Our salvationist culture is unique, and we do love our symbols don't we? Our uniform, whether still worn by us or not, is a globally recognized symbol of respect for who we are and Whose we are.
TLR
UK
Saviour, if my feet have faltered_
On the pathway of the cross,_
If my purposes have altered_
Or my gold be mixed with dross,_
O forbid me not thy service,_
Keep me yet in thy employ,_
Pass me through a sterner cleansing_
If I may but give thee joy!_(Albert Orsborn, SASB 522)__
http://www.salvationist.ca/2008/confession-is-it-really-good-for-the-soul (SA Canada)__
The above site might bring blessing to other formers and maybe encourage someone/many to share their story in this former's forum...
Nobody understands what we've experienced like other former Officers -__We've all heard the stock replies; "don't worry about it/ go to the Mercy Seat/ get busy in the Corps".Many of us haven't time to get more_involved in the corps, and that just makes it worse - the 1st. one, "don't worry about it", is glib & impossible, & the 2nd. won't give peace until it's God's time.__Confession is good for the soul, and it's especially good when done in a fellowship among those who know better than anyone else what we've gone through. This fellowship knows through the Holy Spirit...__
Blessings, Former Officer_UK
At a moments glance, this painting reinforced my calling to the Mission of The Salvation Army as an Officer! In the end, it will have been worth the good fight!
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