The Scottish-American preacher Peter Marshall is one of my heroes. Not only for his robust faith and his imagery-laden sermons that read like poetry. Not only for his distinction as one of the most respected chaplains of the United States Senate. And not just because his beloved Westminster Presbyterian was right here in Atlanta.
I absolutely love the picture of a truly happy marriage that his wife Catherine gave me in her shining biography, ‘A Man Called Peter’. And I deeply respect a man whose view on women and marriage was old-fashioned enough to be unorthodox, even in the 1930’s. My family and I read this book aloud together, and I remember that upon hearing the following quote from one of his sermons, I grabbed the book as soon as we were done for the night and scribbled it madly in my journal. It was like a bright standard, a ray of light shed upon my future hopes…
Marriage is not a federation of two sovereign states. It is a union–
domestic
social
spiritual
physical.
It is a fusion of two hearts–
the union of two lives–
the coming together of two tributaries,
which, after being joined in marriage, will flow in the same channel in the same direction… carrying the same burdens of responsibility and obligation.
Modern girls argue that they have to earn an income, in order to establish a home, which would be impossible on their husband’s income.
That is sometimes the case, but it must always be viewed as a regrettable neccessity, never as the normal or natural thing for a wife to have to do.
The average woman, if she gives her full time to her home
her husband
her children…
If she tries to understand her husband’s work…
to curb his egotism while, at the same time, building up his self-esteem
to kill his masculine conceit while encouraging all his hopes
to establish around the family a circle of true friends…
If she provides in the home proper atmosphere of culture
of love of music
of beautiful furniture
and of a garden…
If she can do all this, she will be engaged in a life work that will demand every ounce of her strength
every bit of her patience
every talent God has given her
the utmost sacrifice of her love.
It will demand everything she has and more.
And she will find that for which she was created.
She will know that she is carrying out the plan of God.
She will be a partner with the Sovereign Ruler of the univers.
And so, today’s daughters need to think twice before they seek to make a place for themselves
by themselves
in our world today…
Dr. Peter Marshall
I have no life but this;
To lead it here;
Nor any death, but least
Dispelled from there;
Nor tie to earths to come,
Nor action new,
Except through this extent,
The realm of you.
Emily Dickinson
What a beautiful celebration of marriage. Thanks for reminding us.
Wow…that’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
although i found the sentiment in the poem very beautiful, i find it interesting that catherine marshall most definitely did have a career as a writer–in addition to her wifely duties.. so what do you make of this.. just wondering what you think
Hello Catherine!!!
That’s a good point–Catherine Marshall was a very successful writer. In fact, it was probably her book about her husband that causes his memory to be still respected so deeply today. But, for all appearances, she wasn’t writing to make a name for herself but to fulfill a unique call that God had given her–not in opposition to her wifely duties but as part of the whole person God had equiped her to be. I think that’s where the distinction lies–it’s not so much what each of our individual situations looks like but why we’re doing what we’re doing. A woman living fully in her specific gifts and talents is a joy to her husband and everyone around her. But God has so created us that, as Catherine says, ‘we acheive greatest happiness and greatest character development as our husband’s career becomes our own, and as we give ourselves unstintingly to it and to our homes’. That doesn’t disqualify us for anything outside of that blessed realm, but I think that it’s a continual battle in our world today to give the role of ‘wife’–under God–our first and our best.
Thank you for reminding me of this beautiful selection of Peter Marshall’s. Catherine Marshall’s life parallels another one of heroines-Elizabeth Elliott. Her writings also have had a great influence on many women’s lives–and men too!
I agree with you, Claudia…Elisabeth Elliot is an AMAZING writer, and, from what little I know of her, an amazing person!
I’ve just picked up _Christy_ for the umpteenth time a few nights ago for my before-bedtime read!
Lanier
thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree with you and very much appreciate your kind response
Christy is one of my favourite Christian novels. I think that Catherine Marshall began writing because she needed the income. When Peter Marshall died unexpectedly, she was left in very tight financial circumstances. He didn’t believe in insurance. She became a very successful writer and continued on working as a roving editor for Guideposts with her second husband, Leonard LeSourd, who was the executive editor of the magazine. She also founded “The Intercessors,” a nonprofit prayer ministry. She was like the Prov. woman – working plus raising her family and apparently doing a good job – This is what Leonard Lesourd worte – “”During our 23 years of marriage, I did discover the secrets behind her extraordinary gifts of communication. There were two. One came out through the dedication she showed in rearing my three young children–despite lungs that never operated at more than 75 percent normal capacity. It emerged as she struggled for the precise descriptive phrase in her writing, as she sought the exactly right color for a living-room chair, as she searched for total perfection in stereo music. She tried to lift the sights of her family and friends by planting dreams in our hearts of achievements that appeared beyond us. This reach toward excellence was a part of everything she did.”
Thank you Lanier and thank you ‘Island Sparrow’ for that precious quote
from Leonard Lesourd about Catherine Marshall. ’she tried to lift the sights
of her famiily and friends by planting dreams in our hearts of achievements
that appeared beyond us.’ What a wonderful tribute…
I agree!
Thank you, Island Sparrow for such a lovely tribute to Catherine Marshall…
This is one of the most wonderful sites I’ve ever stumbled across. I’ve never considered myself a poet…but I can appreciate the beauty of one. Thank you for sharing such touching thoughts and quotes.
Dear Lanier,
Your post has sent me upon a most wonderful journey! I checked out “A Man Called Peter” at the library and am reading it for the first time with such pleasure. I have grilled my mom and my aunt regarding their knowledge of Peter Marshall. You see, my preacher grandfather (AKA Aphid Squisher) was in the same presbytery as Peter Marshall and my grandfather was the Stated Clerk (Secretary) of Presbytery. The two men exchanged pulpits a few times, and my mom got to meet Peter Marshall. Mom remembers having a picnic at Rock Creek Park in Washington, after church in the glorious New York Avenue Church. She also vividly remembers when Dr. Marshall visited her dad’s church and someone called her Peggy. Dr. Marshall was near, and replied, “They should call you Mar-r-r-garet!!” My aunt remembers that my grandfather said the actor who played Peter Marshall in the movie really captured him well on screen.
Well, once again, you have written such a lovely post. THANK YOU!!!!
Oh, Deb! That is so neat!
I had always meant to ask my grandmother if she heard him preach at Westminster and I so wish that I had. I’m happy about your ‘journey’ and the interesting family connection it has turned up. Thank you for sharing it! 
Lanier, I do not know if she heard him preach at Westminster but she heard him speak rather regularly at lunchtime on the marble steps of the Peachtree Arcade. She and my Granddaddy never missed him there and so loved hearing him…