To Trust and to Love

To Trust and To Love

Michael Mayne, who ministered as an Anglican Priest from 1957 until 1996, dying in 2006, wrote several well-received books. In this collection, we are given forty of his unpublished sermons and addresses: twenty-nine take us 'Through the Christian Year' and eleven are 'On Various Occasions'. The title of each, and its context, guides the reader as to content.
There is a 'Foreword' - a biographical and character sketch - by Professor Eamon Duffy, with a short 'Preface' and 'Introduction' by the Editor. The reader is advised to read the last item, 'The Story of My Days' (July, 2002), first. The only criticism of the book is that there is no photo of Mayne.
Among his ministries, he was Head of Religious Programmes in the BBC, Vicar of Great St Mary's, Cambridge and Dean of Westminster. Despite these high profile and demanding roles, his life's ambitions, his 'two compelling desires' (p. 164), were 'to be a useful pastor, and to retain my humanity.' (pp xiv & 164). That he lived and succeeded in these aims is evidently clear in these sermons and talks. The spoken translates well into the written word - always the sign of clear thought, and a firm Faith.
The reviewer was reminded of similar collections by the late Austin Farrar; many more pieces by Michael Mayne remain to be published - this is a welcome first volume.

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