Missionary and translator Henry Martyn.

19Oct
I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
- Isaiah 49:6b

Today is the commemoration in the church of missionary and translator Henry Martyn. Born in 1781, Martyn studied at Cambridge and was blessed with a considerable facility in languages. Following graduation and an abandoned career in law, he went to India as a chaplain where he spent six years translating the New Testament into Hindi and Persian, revising an Arabic translation of the New Testament, and translating the Psalter into Persian and the Prayer Book into Hindi. He died on this day in 1812 at the youthful age of 31 of illness contracted while traveling.

Apparently Mr. Martyn was named “Senior Wrangler” when he was at Cambridge. I love this! “Wrangling," it turns out, is a British University expression for solving mathematical problems, and the “Senior Wrangler” is the winner of their annual mathematics problem-solving competition, an achievement that accords winner recognition as the university's best undergraduate mathematician. 

As an American, I have always thought of “wrangling” in terms of cowboys cajoling horses or other livestock to do the right thing (hence: “Wrangler jeans”!) or engaging in a lengthy and complicated dispute… or both! In any case, it means using the talents God has given you to move a situation in what you feel is the Right Direction. I sometimes joke that my job as Head at Trinity School is mostly wrangling people (ideally in a respectful, gentle, and loving manner!) to keep us all pulling in the same direction. 

I admire people like Henry Martyn who have a gift for languages, and I admire him even more for using that gift to open scripture to those who otherwise might not have been in a position to be edified by it. I pray I, too, can use my gifts in the service of God.  

What gifts do you have to offer the world today? Who and where are you being called to wrangle, for the greater good?

Musical Reflection - Baba Yetu (The Lord's Prayer), Christopher Tin - Stellenbosch Choir

O God of the nations, who gave to your servant Henry Martyn a longing to share your Gospel with all peoples; Inspire us also, that we may be eager to commit both life and talents to you who gave them. Amen.
- Adapted from Satucket Lectionary
Old Testament
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#wrangling #language

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