Working for the common good: beauty and transformation

Today, we hear sad accounts of service personnel being afflicted with mental problems once they are discharged. One of the most thrilling parts of John H. Wyndham's story is his "changed mental outlook" with his return to civilian life (The Ultimate Freedom, p. 74). This change was a positive one as he pondered the options that lay ahead.

He "waited for some new idea to come to [him]" (ibid). And ideas came! 

Beautiful ideas. After the desolation of the war years, he found he "just could not stop beautifying" (p. 75). He writes that it "appears to be a law that if we improve what we have to the utmost, we inevitably rise to higher achievements" (ibid). 

In his next roles, we discern his burning desire to learn, to develop and expand his talents, and to be a blessing as he, and later his colleagues, strove for the common good. It was proved that "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy).

Here is another discovery Mr. Wyndham shares with his readers: "there is a law of God which supports every normal human footstep for improvement and progress" (p. 87).

Can you imagine the transformation of his workplace's drab, old-fashioned reception room into one which "was a glory of colour and beauty, with new desks, built in seats for clients, and a large coloured illuminated mural of an orchard in blossom" (p. 89)? 

I've just googled "orchard in blossom" and found the most glorious painting by Vincent van Gogh. Maybe the mural looked as spectacular as this painting! (Sorry, copyright does not allow me to reproduce it here.😢)

Ah, this precious little book is such an inspiration every time I open it! 

Julie Swannell

No hate. No fear.

In Australia, Anzac Day is celebrated on April 25 each year. 

For the prisoners-of-war held captive with John H. Wyndham during World War II, one minute of one April 25 would turn out to be like "legions of angels" ministering to them. 

"The spirit of Christ had surely defeated the powers of evil" writes Wyndham (p. 59). 

At Wyndham's request, the camp commandant had agreed to allow the bugler to sound the "Last Post" at 11am and every man (prisoners and guards) on that campus stood to attention in a moment of respect and dignity sorely needed by all.

Julie Swannell

Norman's old-world courtesy

 Don't you love the story of Norman in John H. Wyndham's book "The Ultimate Freedom"?

Wyndham's careful and kind description of his friend shows a gentle respect and camaraderie between the two men, even as they bore the deprivations of life as prisoners-of-war.

Norman "was a cultured man with several degrees, who, in private life, held a high position in government ... [and] ... was well versed in Oriental and European philosophy" (p. 38).

The lowly garb afforded the prisoners could not diminish the glow of "his old-world courtesy [which] shone like a precious stone among the prisoners and even the Japanese, whose processes of thought he seemed to understand thoroughly" (p. 39).

How precious were moments of levity to the prisoners-- and how beautifully drawn is the way Wyndham relates Norman's reluctance to come clean with a delicate issue.

Julie Swannell

All men truly under God's direction

 After telling his readers about the extraordinary experience of a week of fasting - only a gulp of water was given during that week - and how through focussed prayer and controlled thinking he came through the ordeal in perfect health, John H. Wyndham speaks about learning how to practice Christianity.

He writes (The Ultimate Freedom pp. 34-35):

"During my three-month period of solitary confinement I became convinced that all men are truly under God's direction. And this conviction finally gained for me the respect and trust of both the guards and the farm commandant. The prisoners, too, evidenced this respect and trust, for incidents of misunderstanding or disobedience were few.

However, one such incident did occur, a lesson as I see it now in Christlike behavior. For this was what my prisoner-of-war experience, like any other trial, was about -- learning to practice Christianity. One morning while I was walking around the farm, my attention was suddenly drawn to screams coming from the direction of a road which led along the barbed wire fence..."

Mr. Wyndham then describes an ugly incident in which he was led to fearlessly stand up for his fellow man in the face of a violent outburst. He writes: "The overcoming of fear truly does go hand-in-hand with spiritual growth..." (p. 37). 

His "trust in good had grown stronger" (ibid).

Perhaps we are reminded of hymn 216: All good for you His wisdom planned; / O trust in God and understand.

Julie Swannell

RAAF

I have found a photo of a young John H. Wyndham (author of The Ultimate Freedom) in RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) uniform. And some more information about him and his daughter who formed Mountaintop Publishing for the express purpose of publishing her father's prisoner-of-war and post-war story.   

I found it by searching for Auriel Wyndham Livezey.

Joyce Voysey

How was it possible that God would help?

Early in his book, The Ultimate Freedom, John H. Wyndham speaks of himself thus: "How was it possible that God would help me for I considered myself such a sinner" (p. 17).

Ah! Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy says the communication is always from God to man. (Actually, the sentence reads (S&H p. 284: 31-32): “The intercommunication is always from God to His idea, man.”) Thoughts on how to manage his captivity came directly from Mind, God. John knew that of his own self he could do nothing; as he heard, he spoke and acted.

He was obviously a student of Christian Science when this experience came upon him, and he still considered himself to be a sinner.  

As I read the Bible Lesson this morning, I begin to see John’s progress and the proof of what he says. It seems to illustrate how the truths of the Lesson can be applied in the most dire circumstances, with Biblical certainty and results.

John Wyndham’s captors seemed not to be able to resist his goodness.

Joyce Voysey, 4 Jan. 2024

An excellent spirit

As I read the Bible Lesson (subject: GOD) this morning, I came to the part about Daniel’s experience when the rulers and presidents were jealous of him.

“Then Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6: 3). [Although this particular passage is not included in the Lesson's citations this week, it is close by.]

The thought came that, like Daniel, John Wyndham, the author of our book The Ultimate Freedom, seems to have been an extraordinary presence, which his Japanese captors recognised. Like Joseph in captivity too.

How about Psalm 27:1 in the second section (citation 9) of the lesson! It could easily have been one of the Bible truths which came to our hero. Paraphrase: “The Lord was/is the light of (his) salvation; whom shall (he) fear?”.

I am reminded of John Bunyan’s allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress (published in two parts in 1678 and 1684). Not that I really know the book, but it did come to mind. There were excerpts from the book in my School Reader, the study of which was, I feel, the foundation of my love of reading and of good books – back in the 1940s.

In that imprisoned situation, John Wyndham lived the truth of the Bible and Science and Health, even though those “companion books” were not available to him.

Joyce Voysey, Jan. 4, 2024

A ripple effect

John H. Wyndham's daughter, Auriel Wyndham Livezey (pretty name!), provides a splendid Preface to The Ultimate Freedom. 

She remarks on the "ripple effect that one life can produce", pointing to the ever-widening nature of her father's story:

1. He "deals with his own experience".
2. Then he enlarges the circle to "others around him".
3. Finally "he speaks on a national and international level". 

Auriel then explains that this account is not about "his life, but rather of the possibilities of life."

It is an inspiring spiritual journey.

Julie Swannell

Note: I have two copies for sale if anyone (in Australia) is interested.

A prisoner-of-war

The Ultimate Freedom by John H. Wyndham may be regarded as the most inspiring prisoner of war story ever told.

I recall my introduction to this book. A man came to my church at Burleigh Heads, Australia. He was championing the book. I do not recall if he was actually selling copies. I remember being wary of it because it wasn’t printed by or for The Christian Science Publishing Society. How grateful I am that eventually I was persuaded to get a copy and read this precious volume.

The book was privately printed by the author’s daughter Auriel Wyndham Livezey. I think the publisher Mountaintop Publishing was/is her own company.

I met the author when I introduced his lecture at my then church in Brisbane. I particularly recall part of my introduction (my first ever): “A wise man has said, Strangers are only the friends you haven’t yet met. Please welcome your new friend, John Wyndham.” Or along that line.

I see that Wyndham’s lecture titles were:

• Do we think or just think we think.
• What are your dimensions for living.
• The Divine Adventure.

Perhaps my lecture experience was The Divine Adventure. I am not sure.

It seems that one can obtain a recording of at least one of John’s lectures in his own accented-by-Dutch-heritage voice.

I find that a Google search brings up many, many entries for this book and some for his lectures. There are also several entries on our Redcliffe Reading Room Blog for July 2018! Good reading there!

Joyce Voysey