Rules, Rules, Rules

Be sure and drop by the Blog of the American Chesterton Society (now in our Links) early and often in your bearded browsing. Always high quality bloggage.

Presented in their most recent post is a passage wherein G.K.C. turns up the roots of rules and rule making. Among his observations;

It is the fashion to talk of institutions as cold and cramping things. The truth is that when people are in exceptionally high spirits, really wild with freedom and invention, they always must, and they always do, create institutions. When men are weary they fall into anarchy; but while they are gay and vigorous they invariably make rules.

 

Counterintuitive according to the Spirit of the Age, but somewhat reflected, I thought, in the League Bylaws. Give them a read, now and then.

Talking of which, drop a note in the combox or shoot us an e-mail when you get your membership certificate. Their processing may have been slowed down because the League Postmaster had the affrontery to insist they not be folded. It turns out that the U.S. Postal Service charges extra for not folding your mail. Truly. Apparently, it means such items must be processed by hand, and who knows what chaos such an eccentric request may generate?

The good news is that postal rates to Europe are cheaper than expected, so those of you in the Old World West, please send along your mailing address vie e-mail and you will also soon receive your member certificate, printed on the same authentic imitation Capybara parchment for which League publications are already so justly admired.

The local chapter here in the vicinity of the Homely Office is steadily congealing. Local members have been conspiring and running covert reconnaissance sorties in search of a suitable meeting place. The breathtaking account of our first *official* meeting will be posted.

For those working toward a local TLBC chapter, here are some notes from the Homely Office;

First, there's no hurry. The League did not even exist a few months ago. I have been approaching potential members in person (usually at Mass or some other parish function) by ones or twos. I try to talk to them for a few minutes to get a feel for how much they already know about (and care about) the work of the Four Patrons. I invite everyone, but will probably follow up only with those I think will really enjoy a League meeting. I'm trying to imagine something more tedious than, out of friendship or sympathy, dutifully slogging off to what appears to be a meeting of some sort of geeky fan club for Dead British Guys, where there are a handful of True Believers all giddily talking over one another, and a smaller contingent of guys like yourself who spend the time staring at one another and looking at their watches. Better a smaller, motivated group where everyone "gets" the idea without having to be "sold". Though we hope to spread appreciation for these authors and their ideas, The League is not really meant to be evangelical in its approach. We do not at all pretend to teach, only to (in the words of the late, great Douglas Adams) "share and enjoy". For those on the fringe, offer to lend them a book or essay by one of the Big Four.

Since we now have a good-sized group of interested people, we're beginning to communicate informally to try and set a convenient time and place for the first meeting. After these have been determined, a few flyers and posters will be made up and posted in public spots (the public library, some local book shops and pubs, etc...). Posting notices at one's parish may be a tickly business, as this begins to make The League look like a para-church thing, in which case parishioners may expect that this is something vetted and approved by the parish priest or even the disocese.

I you can post in your parish in an informal way, without this implying official ecclesial approval, go ahead. If not, skip it and stick to personal contacts with fellow parishioners. Keep in mind that it is not necessary at all that members be parishioners, or even Catholic. Or bearded.

I recently was delighted to hear from a League member in a nearby town that his parish priest is aware of The League and wants to join up. That will be sweet! I also plan to invite our own parish priests, as well as priests from some nearby parishes. How many will be interested I can't say, but I want them to know about the group and know they are more than welcome.

Things are coming along nicely. Like a good campfire, the slow burn is best.

**Remember; send in your Bearded Tributes and articles, poems, art, etc... for publication, as well as news of local activities.

Comments

[Darin D]

Got the certificate in the mail today - nice work!

I'm not even sure where my college degree is, but this is going up in my office.

Cheers!

[Fr. Aaron Ferris]

I received my official membership certificate in the mail today. Being acknowledged as a member of the such an auspicious organization warmed my heart so much so that I burst out in hearty (and heartfelt) laughter.

This certificate is certainly going up with my college diploma.

May your beards continue to grow, now and into eternity.

[Tim J.]

The question of eternal beard growth is an interesting one, Father. I admit, sorting out the theological implications is a little out of my depth.

Glad to hear the certificates are arriving, at long last.

[Jeff Hendrix]

The solemnity of the moment was rudely called into question by my thirteen year old son who broke into an incredulous fit of laughter.

Mock if you will, young rascal! We of the mystic order of TLBC know better than to gainsay the wisdom and wherewithal of the Four Men, the Four Loves, the Four Farthings, and the Four Faultless Felons - in short, long live TLBC. Huzzah and selah.

[JoeyG]

Re: eternal beard growth.

There are some traditions that support Christ's having been shaved as part of his humiliation before Crucifixion and that when He came back glorified, perhaps his rebeardedness was part of why the disciples did not immediately recognize him.

C.S. Lewis picks up the theme with Aslan's sacrifice in Narnia...

[Tim J.]

"There are some traditions that support Christ's having been shaved as part of his humiliation before Crucifixion"

That's fascinating. I had never heard that.

[Andrew Preslar]

Membership cert. came in the mail today, and then this timely post! Thank you. Certificate is definitely going up next to lesser monuments of past endeavors.

[A Facebook User]

Received my official certificate this morning. Having concelebrated morning Mass with the school children, run the 2nd half of a "Mass in Slow Motion" for the 6th graders with my illustrious but unbearded friend Fr. Tim, and preparing to bring communion to some of our homebound parishioners, it added lustre to an already good morning! I am very grateful for having been included among the "Founding Members!" I particularly appreciate the hand drawn mustache!

May your beards grow every longer!

God Bless,
Fr. Ben Hasse
In the great snowy north!