My Favourite Hymn.

My Favourite Hymn. 07 / 11/ 2010.
People vary enormously, and factors such as temperament, mood, personality, background and up-bringing, all play a part in one’s choice. When I was growing up, school assemblies had a definite and very powerful effect, and their limited repertoire of “old faithfuls” come to mind even now, as do the parodies of well known hymns, vividly portrayed in the film, “Oh What a Lovely War!” Also the B.B.C’s broadcasts such as a Hundred Favourite Hymns have shown how deeply ingrained many of the more traditional tunes and words, are in the minds of so many.One hymn that is very important to me personally is “The Old Hundredth” in the Geneva Psalter:-

“All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
Come ye before him and rejoice”

The following three verses are as equally clear and fervent. The message is in the style of the Hebrew Prophets and “goes right home”. The author is said to have been Wiliam Kethe, a Scot in the late 16th Century , ( which may be an additional reason for me to love it) but the tune comes from Calvin’s Geneva. It is, however, not partisan or sectarian, and its appeal is universal.

Michael B. Buck.

A Fair Deal for A New Independent State.

B64_051110.

On 28 / 10 / 2010 Mr. Roger Boyes in his commentary in the Times advocated the compulsory union of Republica Srpska with the remainder of Bosnia, with its sizeable Muslim majority. So far readers have seen no reply. Therefore, in the interests of free and fair comment and debate, the following passage appears below:-

Mr. Roger Boyes in his commentary on 28 / 10 / 10 in the Times stated his clear belief, that coercion is better than democratic choice. The record has shown that for many reasons the Serbian people in Bosnia have no wish to be united with the Croats and Bosniaks. Republica Srpska should therefore be recognized as an independent and sovereign state. Even so, it is likely to take many years before Republica Srpska and Residual Bosnia will be able to cooperate on practical issues of common concern. The course advocated by Mr. Boyes will mean more conflict and bloodshed.

Republica Srpska should become a member of the United Nations Organization, and should in due course, be admitted to membership of the European Union.


Michael B. Buck. 05 / 11 / 2010.