Guest Blogger: James Harvey Parmelee (1823-1905)

Guest Blogger: James Harvey Parmelee (1823-1905)

May I introduce my guest blogger, James Harvey Parmelee, my great-great grandfather. Born May 4, 1823, in Wilmington, Vermont, he graduated from Waterville College, north of Montpelier, in 1850, and finished Rochester Theological Seminary, in New York, in 1853. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1854 in Xenia, Ohio, near Dayton, and then served as a pastor in northeast Iowa, in West Union (1855-56) and Charles City (1957-58). On August 22, 1858, he married Mary L. Huntley, of Vermont; he was 35, and she was 28—almost 29 years old.

During the Civil War he served in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and they had two children. Frank Mason Parmelee was born July 18, 1861, in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and my great-grandmother Stella Luellen Parmelee was born July 10, 1863, in Kenosha. During the latter part of the war he was an agent for the Christian Commission in Vicksburg, Mississippi. After the war he served as a pastor in Lacon, Illinois, near Peoria (1866-69), before returning to his birth area and serving in Guilford, Vermont (1870-72), and supplying churches near Bernardstown, Massachusetts (1872-78). In 1887 he officiated at the wedding of his daughter Stella to Perry Lewis Biddle, and in 1888 he and Mary moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in the panhandle, where Stella and P.L. had settled. He died October 22, 1905, at the age of 82.

           

In 1886, at the age of 63, he published a small book on a big topic, Problems in Theology, in which he thoughtfully responds as a theologian to recent scientific discoveries—including, undoubtedly, On the Origin of the Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, first published in 1859 by Charles Darwin (1809-1882). In his preface, James Harvey Parmelee writes, “The deeper we draw the waters from the wells of true philosophy and science, the clearer and purer will be the waters from the wells of God’s holy book. The Bible and the religion taught therein have nothing to fear, but much to gain, in the way of exposition and enforcement, from genuine philosophy and science.”

His conclusion is as true today as it was over 125 years ago: “The writer is well aware that the views expressed in this volume differ from those held by many Christians, as they have been handed down in their form of expression from generation to generation. But it must be borne in mind that much of the best of truth in Scripture is expressed in figurative language. The prophecies are full of it. Read Isaiah and Jeremiah. ‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.’ [Isaiah 11:6] This will never be literally fulfilled, but it shows the mighty transforming power of the gospel over [people’s] hearts.

“Christ spoke much in parables. Underneath the parabolic language lay the real truth. John in the Apocalypse saw the truth in visions. Inside the drapery of language is the absolute truth. The more we can divest the truth from the drapery of the language, the better understanding of the truth we get. But if one cannot conceive the truth without the drapery, then let [one] hold on to the drapery.

“Christ is present reigning in his kingdom, and will be more visibly present to the saints after death. But if one cannot conceive of his presence otherwise than by his personal coming and presence, then let [one] conceive of it thus, for better so than not at all, for the saints are now and forever shall be under the eye of their beloved Lord.

“If one cannot conceive of a future life otherwise than by a literal resurrection of the body from the grave, let [one] believe that; better so than not to have a firm assurance of future life.

“If one cannot conceive how God can judge all [people] according to the deeds done in the body, only as [one] conceives of it as taking place on a general judgment day, and under the process of a civil court with which [one] may be familiar, then let [one] conceive of it thus, for God will surely judge the world.

“If one cannot conceive of the retributive justice of God only as [one] conceives of it under the figure of the ‘gnawing of the worm that dieth not,’ [Isaiah 66:24] and the ‘burning of the fire which shall not be quenched,’ [Isaiah 66:24] of a ‘lake of fire and brimstone,’ [Revelation 20:10] of ‘outer darkness,’ [Matthew 8:12] of ‘being shut out of the holy city,’ [Revelation 22:19] then let [one] hold on to these figures of speech as literal truth, for this truth is in them, God will surely and terribly punish the wicked.

“If one cannot conceive of heaven otherwise than through the medium of a holy city with its jasper walls, pearly gates, and golden streets, them let [one] cling to a literal New Jerusalem, for Christ will surely bring the redeemed to glory.

“But let us not forget that God’s thoughts and ways are as much above ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth.”

Amen.

'Twas the night before Christmas Eve services

‘Twas the night before Christmas Eve services

(with apologies to Clement Moore)

'Twas the night before Christmas Eve services, when all through the city

every creature seemed anxious, hurrying to get ready.

The bulletins were printed, the sermon prepared,

in hopes that parishioners would feel that God cared.

My baking was wrapped, including communion bread,

while visions of leftovers danced in my head.

And I and my man, John, with a stack of DVDs

had just settled down, when I heard on the TV:

“Sales for the season are less than expected

so more jobs in many sectors are to be eliminated.

Meanwhile executives’ salaries are rising again

in addition to big bonuses and stock dividends.”

Well, trying to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life,”

I started to feel lots of guilt and some strife.

Were my homemade gifts and attempts at simple living

really responsible for the economy dwindling?

Did the fact that I didn’t buy from catalogs or malls

contribute significantly to millions’ downfalls?

Would the season’s reason not be completed                                                                     

until end-of-year figures had been calculated?

Where’s the good news of great joy for all people

amid the bad news leaving everyone fearful?

When what to my wandering mind should appear

but alternative newscasts I’d like to hear:

“Corporations began tithing their before-tax profits

and gave every worker a bonus and chocolates.

The Salvation Army’s had no robberies this year,

and the City Mission is swamped with volunteers.

“Congregations of all brands, pooling their resources,

have so much to give—they can offer folks choices.

Soup kitchens gladly are doubling their recipes

as haves and have-nots come together to eat.

“In other news, it’s noted throughout the whole land

folks sharing holiday meals with those outside their clan.

Clothing closets are getting space and donations

from major department stores across the nation.

“Soldiers home from Iraq and Afghanistan have been called up for duty

distributing toys for children—there’s so much booty!

Meanwhile Wall Street reported very sharp declines

in the sales of cigarettes, liquor, beer, and wine.

“Also down are purchases of guns both real and toy,

while children’s books are in demand by every girl and boy.

The U.S. Congress, right before it adjourned,

passed gun-control laws. The N.R.A. is said to feel spurned.

“Depression is dwindling, contributions are rising,

the drop in domestic violence and drunk driving’s surprising.

Hospitals, fire and police stations are quiet,

but temples, mosques, and churches are so packed—clerics riot!

“With folks of all creeds letting go and relaxing                   

the holidays are proving to be not so taxing.”          

So, fellow dreamer of putting the world to rights,

Merry Christmas to you, and to you a good night!

It's a Heavenly Life

It’s a Heavenly Life

Some interns working in the cavernous film depository of a Hollywood studio (Qumran Pictures) recently discovered a canister of celluloid containing a scene for the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Stored in a clay pot of dead cinema scrolls, the reel of black-and-white footage was found to be in excellent condition despite its being over 66 years old. According to film historians, this never-publicly-viewed scene was left out of the movie because it was judged to be “too religious.”

The scene comes toward the end of the movie when George Bailey, in despair over losing a large sum of money, considers ending his life by jumping off a bridge into the icy river below. In the released version, George’s guardian angel Clarence, working to earn a pair of wings, attempts to convince George that his existence has been worthwhile by showing him what life would have been like without him. But in this newly-discovered scene, Clarence is replaced by the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah and the water-walking Jesus who find themselves with a hopeless George in the cozy bridgekeeper’s cabin having the following conversation:

George: Who . . . who are you?

Jeremiah: I’m Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.

Jesus: I Am. But you can just call me Jesus.

George: Wh . . . where did you come from? H . . . h . . . how did you get here?

Jeremiah: A rather anxious colleague of ours, Clarence, called us and said you could use some help. He thought we might be able to relate to you being as how we’re all eldest sons who followed our fathers into the prophet-making business. I understand your old man was a banker? Mine was a priest. Need I say who his father is?

Jesus: Now, now, Jeremiah.

[to George]: Don’t mind him—he’s never forgiven the kings of Judah for disobeying my daddy’s commands. Actually I don’t think he’s ever quite forgiven my daddy for sending him to them in the first place. To tell the truth—my job basically—we were sent by Daddy through Clarence.

George: Holy c . . . I mean, Jee . . . I mean . . . You mean, God sent you, both of you, to me?! I don’t remember this being in the script!

Jesus: It’s in the scriptures, remember? I became flesh and lived among you, and I continue to be with you.

George: Well, gosh, Jesus, I don’t want to put you out. Surely there are other people who need you more than I do . . . I mean, there’s a war going on, people are still recovering from the Depression . . . .

Jeremiah: That’s what I said, but we both figured you’re more likely to listen to us than any of the world or national leaders do—we’ve seen “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Plus millions of people watch this movie year after year. If only we’d had cinema in the good ole days, I wouldn’t have had to go around personally demonstrating all the time—breaking clay pots as a metaphor for God’s wrath, wearing a yoke to symbolize the Hebrew nation of Judah’s servitude under the foreign nation of Babylon—one sign after another. The headaches I suffered from giving visions to a people who refused to see!

Jesus: Okay, Jeremiah, that’s enough. George, we’re here for you. We know you’re depressed about losing some money. We also sense your deep regret over what you had to do and didn’t get to do in your life: Taking on the Savings and Loan and not going to college, staying in Bedford Falls and never making it to Europe. Your burdens multiplied, and your dreams sank. Believe me, I understand what it’s like to have your life taken away.

George: I tell you, I want to do the right thing. It’s just . . . the right thing never seems to happen. I remember the prayer you taught us, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” I guess I don’t see things happening here on earth like they do in heaven, not that I’ve ever been to heaven . . . .

Jesus: But that’s just it, George, you have. You were born there, along with everyone else. God created you to live on earth, yes, but with the memory of heaven always present, especially on earth, since the beginning—including your beginning.

Jeremiah: If I may add something here, George, before God formed you in the womb—and this goes for everybody—God knew us. Before we were born, God consecrated us. You’re a Presbyterian, George, surely you believe in predestination?

George: You call that a wonderful life?! God deciding before I’m even hatched that I’m going to head a measly, no-count S&L in nowheresville?! Why couldn’t God at least have let me get an Accounting degree, something to assist me in my work?!

Jesus: But George, God gave you more than enough to help your work, as well as enhance your whole life. God gives to each and every one of us a heart to love with, a mind to be curious with, a soul to risk with, and a body to do our best with.

George: Well, I often feel my heart desires one thing, my mind is curious about another, my soul—I don’t know where it is—and my body . . . why, I’ve never liked my body! I’ve always wanted a body like Cary Grant or Gregory Peck. Instead I got this ole skinny bag of bones.

Jeremiah: At least your world is confined to a nice community, and your nation isn’t going under. Sure, your uncle has some problems—whose uncle doesn’t? But just wait until you hear about my life, and then you’ll appreciate real troubles!

Jesus [to Jeremiah]: Why does everyone have to have a messiah complex? Don’t you realize I came once and for all so that no one has to bear that cross again? Burdens are heavy enough without using them to keep score.

[to George]: I know this is only a movie, but it’s your life. I once revealed to Shakespeare that “All the world’s a stage” and, by God, the dramas—“only plays”—became gospel. You too can trust God is directing your life—your individual performance—to dramatize good news. And you know what good news is, don’t you, George? Look in your pocket, George, go on, check your pocket.

George: Zuzu’s petals?

Jesus: That’s right, George, Zuzu’s petals.

Jeremiah: Hold on, Jesus, are you referring to that sappy scene where Zuzu asks her father to reattach the petals of her rose—only he secretly stuffs the petals in his pocket?! Isn’t it condescending to use a simple trick played on a mere child as a metaphor for the meaning of life in a complex and hurtful world?

Jesus:  It’s not about when George puts the petals in his pocket. It’s when he takes them out. Remember, George has just seen what life would have been like without him: Bedford Falls is now Pottersville, his mother is an unhappy widow, his wife Mary is a homely librarian, and all his favorite haunts are alien to him. Like us, he came to his own home, and his own people did not accept him. So in despair George heads to the river—

Jeremiah [interrupting]: Just like at the beginning of the movie. Are you saying, it doesn’t matter whether someone exists or not, life still ends in tragedy?! I believe it, but it’s hardly good news.

Jesus: George, tell us, what happens when you head to the river?

George: Well, I’m frantic, really desperate! I want so badly to be a part of life again—my real life, that is. But there’s no way because I don’t exist!

Jesus: And then what happens, George?

George: And then I reach into my pocket and there . . . there are Zuzu’s petals. I start to cry. I’m alive! In this life!

Jesus: That’s grace, George. And then?

George: And then I feel for that scratch on my mouth, and I taste blood, and . . . and I know it’s really me. Blood, tears, this heart and mind and soul and body of mine—this is who I am!

Jesus: You’ve received grace upon grace, George. Whenever we feel trapped or abandoned or like it’s all over for us, our instinct is to head to the river. It’s more than an instinct, though, George. When we’re tired of living a lie and we’re dying for the truth, our spirits are drawn to living water.

Jeremiah: I got it! O God, I don’t know how to say it, for I am only a child . . . a mere child—

Jesus: But God said . . .

Jeremiah: But God said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am only a child,’ for you shall go to whomever I send you to, and you shall speak whatever I tell you to speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you.”

Jesus: Live in truth, not in fear. So, who wants to tell their story first?