Unexpected Legacy Series: Jeanne-Marie Bouvier

By Matthew J. Elliott

Have you ever been in a situation where it just felt like you were dealt the worst hand life could possibly have given you? I think we can all say that we’ve been there, so I won't dwell on it, but that is the kind of background Jeanne-Marie Bouvier came from. Does that name sound even remotely familiar to you? How about Madame Guyon? Well, she is known to many who have read her book “Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ” as one of the most influential women of faith the 1600s produced. This particular book was even publicly burned in France (more on that later), but it still found its way into the hearts and minds of thousands and thousands of Christians seeking to understand the value of experiencing a deeper faith. 

As a child, she was born into a wealthy family but dealt with childhood illnesses that kept her from living a normal life. Due to these constant ailments, her education was neglected far more than it should have been. She was even shipped off to live with nuns more than a few times as a child and never really given an opportunity just to be a kid. Her parents were devout Christians but when she was the ripe old age of 15, she was forced to accept a marriage proposal to someone 22 years older than her, whom she had never met. While he too was well endowed, Jeanne-Marie still endured long periods of neglect and a demanding home-life. Her life was not the kind of life one might imagine could belong to a person who eventually became such an advocate for the Christian faith. Everything she struggled with as a young sickly maiden could not prepare her for the struggles she faced with barring children, appeasing an overbearing spouse who gave into his demanding mother who had no interest in the woman her son married, and becoming a widow at the age of 28. Of the five children she gave birth to Jeanne-Marie outlived two of them and still had to deal with their father's mother. 

François Fénelon

Her life, while endowed, was filled with tribulation. So how does a woman with so much pain and suffering end up leaving a legacy like hers? It all comes back to her affinity for making faith a priority even amid everything she faced. In truth, she embraced the practice of Christian Quietism. This is a way of thinking that, according to those who lived by it, taught that spiritual peace and perfection were attainable through contemplating completely the ways of God, and nothing else. Those who sought a life of Quietism strived to rid themselves of human desire and become a completely passive individual, in the spiritual sense. While there is a lot of debate on these practices still today, the point I am making is that Jeanne-Marie Bouvier devoted her entire life, post-marriage, to finding ways for her to embrace a path in life that encouraged a deep and meaningful faith. This is where her legacy began to reveal itself to the world she lived in, but not in the way some may have expected.

In the late 1600s, Madame Guyon was arrested by church leaders who believed that her theology was flawed. While this was a brief imprisonment, her reputation was ruined. In an effort to find support for her beliefs, she began reaching out to others. Eventually, she found the support she was looking for through her cousin, a priest named François Fénelon. He was a French philosopher and would eventually become the archbishop of Cambrai, as well as one of her biggest advocates. Even with his support, Madame Guyon’s beliefs continued to cause her issues and she was arrested again and imprisoned from 1695-1702. Despite all this, she would eventually pick up the pen, so to speak, write everything down, and continue to pursue her beliefs, relentlessly. In her eyes, these beliefs would lead her to a complete understanding of the depths of Jesus Christ. 

Before all this, Madame Guyon had already released material in the form of a book called "A Method of Prayer." It has served many roles over the years and has constantly been a story that questions the reality of what faith is, and what it means to experience it deeply. This book caused so much opposition in France that a group of Roman Catholic priests serving in Dijorn gathered a total of 300 copies and burned them. On the other side of that coin, there was a Frenchman, who took 1500 copies and flooded his community with them. In truth, Madame Guyon is considered one of the most influential leaders of her time. In the end, she was denounced as a heretic by the religious tribunal and forced to live out the rest of her days in solitude until her death. After her eventual death,  this story found new life under the name “Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ” and to this day is considered one of the greatest Christian writings of all time. 

Bastille: Where Madam Guyon was imprisoned

It is a very unlikely story indeed, but this unexpected legacy has influenced believers as much, and, maybe even more, than Brother Lawrence and his short little book. The Practice of the Presence of God. While one cannot deny the simplicity of Brother Lawrence, many consider Madame Guyon’s detailed approach to quietism and devoted prayer a more unexpected legacy. A sickly child, devalued by her family, grew up and found herself in an unhappy marriage where she lost two of her children; One day became an undeniable advocate for devoted prayer and deep faith. She was rejected by so many throughout her life but always stood firm in her faith. This example of dedication has played a vital role in the lives of people across 100s of years. The results speak for themselves and it just goes to show that unexpected legacies are all around us. 

Do you believe that there are those who have a similar legacy today?

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

Are you ready to dive into a captivating series that delves into the journey of a young runaway slave who discovers God in his quest for redemption? Finding Philemon is exactly that kind of series. Follow along on the unexpected journey as Onesimus embarks upon his path of faith and new beginnings.

Throughout this journey, Onesimus will encounter life-changing events that will transform the depths of his heart and aid him in discovering the redemption that only God can offer, and ultimately his way back to his former master Philemon.

----

Sources:

Guyon, J. (1997). Madame Guyon: An autobiography. Whitaker House: 1st edition.

https://www.gcu.edu/blog/theology-ministry/theology-thursday-madame-jeanne-guyon-life-transformed-through-prayer

Guyon, J. (1685). Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ. SeedSowers.

Unexpected Legacy Series: Nicolas Herman

By Matthew J. Elliott

Wikipedia.com

Everyone has that one historical figure who plays a significant role in their development and understanding of the world around them. As a writer who tends to build stories around the lesser-known historical figures in scripture, most of the biblical characters who have played the more meaningful roles in who I have become were not well-known people. In truth, my inspiration came from characters others did not give a second thought. These types of characters always taught me insightful and unexpected lessons that I use even today. However, if you are reading this particular blog post, you are likely looking for the historical aspect of the story. Don’t worry; that is where we will spend the rest of today’s post.

While scripture is one of my primary resources for content; Today, I wanted to bring a little knowledge to the table about a man once called Nicolas Herman. This amazing historical figure was born in the early 1600s in France. History will tell you that this young man was nothing special when he was born, but have you ever heard the saying, “Your past defines you?” Well, the family Nicolas was born into had little wealth and even less education. Nothing about this man would have led anyone to believe who he became as an adult. One thing his parents did have going for them was their Christian heritage, and that is what they taught their son. If you can imagine a scene with me for a moment…

playgroundai.com

It is a dark and stormy evening; a young boy is looking out the window of a poorly built home, watching the rain fall from the sky.  He turns away from the window to see his father home from the fields, pulling an old looking book from the top shelf. Together, the family sits in their half-broken chairs, looking at the words written within its wrinkly and damaged pages. In the corner, a small fire, cooking an even smaller meal. Suddenly, the young boy looks at his parents with the biggest smile upon his face. “I know that one Pappa.” Then, the three of them embrace. After this, the meal is served. Moments later, they all kneel by the young boy's bed and look to the heavens.

While I will never know if something like that happened, the idea is there. Regardless of what did take place in the home Nicolas grew up in, his parents encouraged a life of faith. Was that all they gave him? Likely not, but there is not much history about that time in his life.   What is known though, is that this young man grew up, and throughout his life, he embraced the teachings his parents tried to instill in him, and he eventually became the author of a small book that has inspired millions of people, including myself.  

Before we jump into that, there is more to his story than the impact of his words on the world today. Nicolas grew into a young man whose zeal for life was inspired by a tree hibernating in winter, a sentiment that has inspired me also. When asked by a good friend why the tree inspired him so much, Nicolas would only state that even though he knew the tree was barren, what mattered was that eventually, life would blossom from it again. The friend asked a further question about why this mattered, to which Nicolas replied. ‘It gave me a profound impression of God’s providence and that knowledge has never really left me.’ Who would have thought a sleeping tree could do so much? Soon after this experience, Nicolas became a soldier and fought in the Thirty-Year War, one of the most devastating conflicts in European history. 

During this conflict, Nicolas was taken prisoner by the Germans and given the worst treatment. However, due to his patient mindset and strong will, he was eventually released. Soon after, he was forced out of the army due to an unprecedented leg injury. After recovering, he found work as a personal attendant, but his position there did not last long. His lame leg caused issues with his esteemed employer. Nicolas had many experiences like this throughout his life—all of which led him through war, poverty, and eventually to a monastery. 

pxhere.com

Here, in this monastery, Nicolas adopts a different, maybe more familiar name, Brother Lawrence. Upon joining the ranks of the other monks, Brother Lawrence spent the next 50 years of his life serving in the monastery as a cook, a shoe cobbler, and even a janitor of sorts. He struggled daily with understanding the presence of God and deeply desired to find ways to serve his faith. Eventually, Brother Lawrence found a home living within the community of his monastery. Over the years, he grew in his faith and spent many years learning how to value the presence of God in his life, and this knowledge influenced many of the other monks who lived alongside him.   

The practical way Brother Lawrence lived his life may seem meaningless, but for me, these teachings have influenced my faith in more ways than I could have ever imagined. There is only one book attributed to Brother Lawrence, and it is filled with simple sayings that have inspired many authors today. In truth, his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, even inspired me to write my first book, Ahavah Writings for the Journey. It is fascinating that such a humble man could inspire people more than 400 years after his death. This just goes to show that even the most unexpected people can inspire a legacy that stands beyond the test of time. 

Who is someone who has influenced your life's legacy?

‌

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Blog. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

Are you ready to dive into a captivating series that delves into the journey of a young runaway slave who discovers God in his quest for redemption? Finding Philemon is exactly that kind of series. Follow along on the unexpected journey as Onesimus embarks upon his path of faith and new beginnings.

Throughout this journey, Onesimus will encounter life-changing events that will transform the depths of his heart and aid him in discovering the redemption that only God can offer, and ultimately his way back to his former master Philemon.

----

Sources:

*The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence

*Soulshepherding.org/brother-lawrence-writings-story

Photographer Marjory Collins: Rebel Looking for a Cause

During the late 1930s and early 1940s, photographers hired by the U.S. government roamed the country, recording on film the realities of rural and urban America. Some of these photographers worked for the Information Division of the Farm Security Administration (FSA), documenting the drought, poverty, and despair of the Great Depression.

As the economy improved with the onset of World War II, the FSA became less important while the need for collecting and disseminating information about the war became evident. The Office of War Information (OWI) was created, incorporating the FSA Information Division and various other offices, with the goal of informing the public about the war efforts and portraying the United States in a positive manner both domestically and overseas.

Roy Stryker, head of the Historical Section of FSA Information Division, was tapped to lead the OWI Photography Division. During the course of his federal career, he hired a number of outstanding photographers, including at least four women: Dorothea Lange, Marjory Collins, Marion Post Wolcott, and Esther Bubley.

Marjory Collins
Photo Library of Congress
Collection

While Lange’s work is well-known, the other women have been less heralded. I’d like to introduce you to Marjory Collins, who called herself “a rebel looking for a cause.”

When she began her career in the 1930s, women magazine photographers were rare. Collins worked for such magazines as PM and US Camera, and her photos was represented by major agencies, including Associated Press and Time, Inc.

Shortly after the OWI was created in 1941, Collins joined the team of photographers hired to document home front activities of the war. According to the Library of Congress, Collins “created remarkable visual stories of small town life, ethnic communities, and women war workers.”

From January 1942 to June 1943, she took more than 3,000 photographs while on about 50 different assignments. Most of these are preserved in the FSA/OWI Collection in the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Waiting for trains at Pennsylvania Station, New York City
--Marjory Collins Photo
Library of Congress FSA/OWI Collection

Stryker wanted the OWI photographs to show “visual stories about the ideal American way of life and stories that showed the commitment of ordinary citizens in supporting the war effort.”

For one assignment on women in industry, Collins was told to capture “representative types actually at work rather than posed 'cuties,'" and to show "the very important contribution made towards final victory and how they have adapted themselves to wartime conditions."

This was in contrast to another OWI objective of making wartime jobs seem glamorous to encourage more women to join the workforce. As a result, Collins received criticism from some of her fellow photographers, who wanted the OWI photographs to show only the positive aspects of American life.

One of Collins’ stories showed a young widow, whom Collins called “Mrs. Grimm,” and her six children under the age of twelve. Collins considered these images among her best work, as they portrayed “life as it really is.”

Patsy Grimm, age 6, dusting and Mary Grimm, 8, sweeping
in the front room. Their mother, a 26-year-old widow, was
 a crane operator during WWII. Buffalo, NY
--Marjory Collins Photo
Library of Congress FSA.OWI Collection

Mrs. Grimm worked as a crane operator, and the photographic story showed the family’s struggle to stay together and properly care for the younger children.

Collins left OWI in 1943 and went on to work as a freelance photographer in Alaska, Egypt, Ireland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Italy for U.S. government agencies and the commercial press.

Sadly, she also married and divorced three times. In the third divorce, sometime between 1948 and 1950, her husband destroyed many of the prints and negatives from those years abroad.

Her OWI assignments had raised her social awareness. To support various causes, she became a writer and editor, as well as photojournalist. Throughout her life, she participated in such social and political causes as civil rights, Vietnam War protests, and women's movements.

Around 1970, she experienced ageism and sexism when she found herself out of a job and in need of an operation. To address the needs of mature women like herself, she founded Prime Time, the first magazine for older women. It continued until 1976 and reached a circulation of 3,000.

Collins continued to study women’s history and the role of older women in society until 1985, when she died of cancer at the age of seventy-three.

Historians consider the FSA/OWI collection one of the largest photographic projects ever. One researcher, referring specifically to the women, stated, “it can be argued that these socially conscious photographers used the camera lens and the darkroom to create images that reflected their opposition to racial, economic and gender discrimination, shaping their audience's perception as well as our historical view of injustice in American society.”*

Sources:

*Sharon Rodriguez, Women Photographers of the FSA and OWI

Marjory Collins Biographical Essay by Beverly Brannan, Women Photojournalists: Marjory Collins - Biographical Essay (Prints and Photographs Reading Room, Library of Congress)

Oral history interview with Roy Emerson Stryker, 1963-1965 | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

United States Office of War Information - Wikipedia

Marjory_Collins - Wikipedia

Multi-award-winning author Marie Wells Coutu finds beauty in surprising places, like undiscovered treasures, old houses, and gnarly trees. All three books in her Mended Vessels series, contemporary stories based on the lives of biblical women, have won awards in multiple contests.

She is currently working on historical romances set in her native western Kentucky in the 1930s and 1940s. Her historical short story, “All That Glistens,” won honorable mention in the 2023 Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest. In her newsletter, she shares about her writing, historical tidbits, recommended books, and sometimes recipes.

Another historical short story tells of a cafe waitress who waits for the love of her life to come back to her after the war. “A Song for Annie,” is available free when you sign up for Marie's newsletter here.

13 more rules of Victorian etiquette part 2

 

 

 

Last month,I talked about proper manners and how they’ve changed since Victorian times. That post was regarding greeting others. Here is the link if you haven’t seen it.This month I’ll share some Victorian etiquette rules that related to how you interact with others in a public setting.

 

·       Never point at another person.

This is something my mother constantly exhorted we children. And I did the same with mine. A not so kind inquiry often accompanies the pointing.

·       Never wantonly frighten others.

I wish they had enforced this next rule when I was growing up.  Nothing is more upsetting than having the stuffing scared out of you by someone who thinks it's hilarious to see you jump or shriek.

·       Never make yourself the hero of your story.

 How often have you heard someone share something exactly this way? Humility doesn’t seem in fashion for some yet today.

·       Never pick your teeth or clean your nails in the presence of others.

I think we should add toenail clipping to this list.

·       Never question a servant or child about family matters.

We all know children repeat what they see and hear even it there conclusions and what they tell you are incorrect. Employees can be the best gossips, that hasn’t changed much over the centuries.

·       Never read other people’s mail.

Some couples open all the mail whether it has their name on it or not which can create either tension or ruin a surprise. During Victorian times, a parent or guardian might open mail addressed to the unmarried young people in their charge and perhaps destroy it or make comments on the content before the young person could read it.

·       Never call attention to the features or form of someone in the room.

·       Pretend to not notice a scar, deformity or defect of another person.

These rules are hard for children and many adults to adhere to.  How awkward to pretend you don’t notice someone has a limp or other handicap. But to ignore such things was the epitome of good manners.

·       Never punish your child for a fault you are also addicted.

Wow! What a challenge not to punish a child for something you do. Brings to mind the adage:-“Do as I say, not as I do.”

·       Never lend out another person’s things unless you have permission to do so.

Is this anything like not wearing your sister’s clothes without asking? Or lending a book you borrow from a friend before asking if they mind?

·       Never exhibit anger, impatience, or excitement when an accident happens.

I’m sure we all fall short on this one. It’s hard not to have some emotional response when a possession is broken or a child hurts themselves after doing something foolish.

·       Never will a gentleman allude to conquest which he may have had with a lady.

How many romances have you read with a cad just like this. 

·       Never fail to offer the easiest and best seat in the room to an invalid, an elderly person or a lady.

When was the last time anyone offered you their chair, ladies? How many older people are standing on a bus because young people got the benches first? Just an observation.

Which of these Victorian rules were you raised with? Which ones do you still practice today? Which ones do you think need to be reinstated?

 PLEASE VISIT THE BLOG TO COMMENT ON THIS POST.

 Cindy Ervin Huff is an Award-winning author of Historical and Contemporary Romance. She loves infusing hope into her stories of broken people. She is addicted to reading and chocolate. Her idea of a vacation is visiting historical sites and an ideal date with her hubby of almost fifty years would be live theater.

Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter and receive some free short stories as a thank you.  www.cindyervinhuff.com 

Angelina’s Resolve: Book 1 of Village of Women

Proving her skills are equal to a man’s may cost her more than she ever imagined.

Modern-thinking Angelina DuBois is determined to prove her cousin Hiram wrong. He fired her from the architect firm she helped grow when her father’s will left the business to Hiram. Using her large inheritance and architectural degree, she sets out to create a village run by women—Resolve, Kansas.

Carpenter and Civil War veteran Edward Pritchard’s dream of building homes for Chicago’s elite must be put on hold until he gains references. Serving as a contractor under Angelina’s well-known DuBois name provides that opportunity. But can Angelina trust her handsome new carpenter to respect her as his boss? Will the project take Edward one step closer to his goals, or will it make him a laughingstock? Can these two strong-willed people find love amid such an unconventional experiment?