Diary of an Old Soul
By George MacDonald, annotated edition with Timothy Larsen (InterVarsity Press)
Ask almost anyone about the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and they’ll immediately mention The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. A question about another of the Oxford Inklings, C.S. Lewis, elicits a similar response, including The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe from his Chronicles of Narnia.
Inquire about George MacDonald, and some individuals well-versed in the Inklings would remember the Scottish minister and author as a pioneer of modern fantasy and the “Grandfather of the Inklings” although he died in 1905 when Lewis and Tolkien were children.
In 1880, the preacher published A Book of Strife, in the Form of the Diary of an Old Soul as a Christmas gift for friends. The diary contained 366 entries, one for every day, as 1880 was a leap year, with each in the form of a seven-line prayer-poem.
Wheaton professor, theologian and historian Timothy Larsen has taken that original edition, now titled Diary of an Old Soul, and included a must-read introduction and notes. Detailed annotations make MacDonald’s words clearer to the modern reader, fill in the blanks for embedded but unquoted Scripture, and connect the poet’s thoughts to some of Lewis’ and Tolkien’s works.
George MacDonald’s poems in the form of prayers reflect his profound love of and deep desire for an intimate relationship with God, one to which all Christians should aspire. Many entries offer subtle references to Scripture or to events occurring in the pastor’s own life.
For example, Jan. 4 reminds himself that at his own death he will be reunited with the daughter and son he has lost, while Nov. 27-28 reveal his conflicting feelings at his daughter Caroline Grace’s engagement to a minister, upcoming marriage and thus move out of his home. Except for Dec. 25, the prayers don’t reflect the calendar, although there are hints of the seasons.
In some cases, several poems are grouped by theme as MacDonald fills the pages with beautiful images, universal longings, questioning doubts and blessed assurance. Topics include God’s will, hospitality, forgiveness, weariness, prayerlessness, music, love, sorrow, stupidity, obedience and much more.
Many of his memorable lines linger on the heart like: “If I have enemies, Christ deal with them” (June 28), “Faith opens all the windows to God’s wind” (Aug. 5), “If thou wouldst have me speak, Lord, give me speech” (Sept. 11), and “I am thy book, thy song—thy child would be” (Oct. 31).
MacDonald desired that his readers be able to write their own spiritual thoughts evoked by his words and thus added a blank page after each group of poems. Larsen has included those same inviting empty pages in this new, beautifully bound edition perfect as a gift for yourself or a special Christian friend.
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However, the greatest challenge may be reading just one of the very short poems a day. If that happens, read as many at a time as desired, and then go back and use George MacDonald’s Diary of an Old Soul as a daily devotional and prayer book for an entire year so that “My life to thine is answer and amen” (Nov. 22).
Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president
Texas WMU and Baptist General Convention of Texas
Waco
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