Ray buckley author biography essay

Thomas Crosby of the Methodist mission in Port Simpson, British Columbia, visited Wrangell, he found the four young men from his parish, and a thriving, nourishing , Christian community, respected by both the military presence and the indigenous people. Clah , and offering the continued use of his home, Dr. It should not be assumed that Crosby was not pleased with the community at Wrangell.

In his own way, he became a remarkable supporter, advocating for the need of sending white missionaries to Alaska and seeking support and funding from The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Wesleyan Methodist Church, and what would become The United Church of Canada Methodist. His requests fell on stone ears. Through the advocacy and presence of Dr.

McFarlane in Wrangell and beyond, protestant Christian influence would move continually northward in southeast Alaska. As in British Columbia, and elsewhere, the mission of the church was often merged with the ambitions of industry and governments. Shortly after the arrival of Mrs. FcFarlane, Clah became ill. He refused to leave Wrangell, telling his family that God had called him there, and he would not leave.

His body would die on December 28, , at age By canoe, his father and brothers returned him to British Columbia. His descriptions of the traditional Native communities of the Northwest, are at best paternalistic, racist, and superior. It is in that light that we understand the deepness of the compliment when he refers to Clah as The Apostle of Alaska.

Clah would probably not be comfortable with the characterization of the person that Crosby perceived him to be, and yet the person he was in reality would have astounded Crosby. There is a Yiddish proverb which simply says that those who seek greatness will not find lasting greatness, but those who serve others and seek anonymity will be found out.

Clah and his brethren were not missionaries. They certainly would not have been seen as qualified for mission work by their race and heritage. They would not have been afforded the opportunity of education or worthy of it. There would be no expectation of being included in a plan. An educated guess would lead us to believe that without oversight there would have been no permission for ministry.

But they did not start a ministry. What was begun was not a ministry, but a community. The Tsimshian of British Columbia and the Tlingit of Alaska spoke distinct languages and had been traditional enemies. Being the same color does not mean being the same ethnicity, a guarantor of camaraderie, the same experience of history. The capacity of moving into the neighborhood, as part of the neighborhood, makes one vulnerable to the neighborhood.

True vulnerability does not leave much room for condescension. There is no historical indication that Clah tried to lead anything. It seems that, like Francis, he led with his hammer and not his lips. There was discovered a heartbeat that others heard and responded to. Food was shared, elders were cared for, needs met, and white soldiers and officers at the fort began to notice.

Small groups gathered, until there were too many for houses. Where shall we go next? You can login using your social profile.

Ray buckley author biography essay

Books by Ray Buckley. Saint Francis of Assisi. Benedict of Nursia. Hildegard of Bingen. Brother Lawrence. Matthew Mark John , Who are you looking for? John Who can hear it? Ray Buckley Average rating: 4. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Quotes by Ray Buckley? Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads.

Learn more. So I can perform my magic for those who are in the secret.