I have been using the slide talk ‘Let There be Light’ produced by the Tyndale Society’s Ploughboy Group quite regularly. It occurred to me that it might be helpful and of interest to others to learn of some of my experiences speaking to local historical societies, church meetings, Probus and other groups.
My adoptive county is also the land of the Tyndales and Hytchens and, so far, I have been invited to give more than twelve talks here. Although I cannot approach the knowledge, fluency and eloquence of our chairman and I do not have the special linguistic insights of Sir Rowland I have found this form of ‘preaching’ (if such a term should be used) most rewarding and exhilarating. I really am enjoying sharing my personal enthusiasms about the riches of the Tyndale translation.
I have noticed that the native ignorance about a local son, with naturally a few notable exceptions, is almost as profound as that of English people at much greater distances and it makes me question the gaps in my own early education.
I am fast learning from my mistakes such as forgetting to pack a torch, checking the time allowed for the lecture and misjudging an audience’s attention span and tolerance. Nonetheless, it is proving a happy time full of amusing memories. A violent thunderstorm broke on the occasion when I was telling the story of Elia on Horeb at Winchcombe Public Library. A tremendous crash seemed to tear something from the fabric and later one poor lady found that a huge tile had crashed upon the roof of her car parked outside. I am sure that she has not forgotten that evening either!
The one thing I have learned is that these lectures are so full and rich with all the words I love and am anxious to share that time passes far too quickly. I sometimes find myself kicking myself all the way home remembering certain fine details I have omitted.
David Green, February 2001
Editor’s note
It would be very helpful and interesting to hear from other people who have been using the ’Let There Be Light’ slide talk. Any comments and, indeed, extra material could improve any future edition.