Levi Haigh

Poems Booklet #2 : Back Page

The Rev J. T. Marshall. MA, DD, late President of Manchester Baptist College, writing under the date, March 30th, 1923, speaks of Booklet No. 1 as follows:-

"I have always had a profound admiration for your zealous devotion to the Church at Steep Lane. . . . I am fortunate in having- a personal knowledge of the persons and events you immortalise. Those who have a deeper knowledge must admire them even more than I do. To take hold, as you do, of events which occurred within a narrow area of human history and to idealise them by lifting them up into the light of Eternity is a worthy object ; and this is what you have done.

As Wordsworth seized hold of some apparently insignificant event in the life of the woods or the farm, so you have looked with a poet's vision on events at Steep Lane, of little import to the world, but which are among the things that matter most to the 'cloud of witnesses' who are watching the events of this world from the point of view of the Eternal. Holy One."

Ever your real friend,

J. T. Marshall.

Our Pastor, the Rev Arnold Garside, Steep Lane, referring to Booklet No 1. writes:

"The foregoing poems arc the utterances of Mr Haigh's deepest soul; and the expressions of his most cherished experiences. He has composed much poetry of a very comprehensive character, but poet and poem will never be seen to better advantage than in Steep Lane Baptist Church and its Associations.' Nor will this sanctuary, hallowed by much sacrifice, and made sacred by many fellowships and memories, be more carefully, beautifully and lovingly brought before the public. What Rome was to the Apostle Paul, Steep Lane is to our brother. No wonder he makes it the theme of his soul, and the object of his rapture! No theme could be more deserving of the poet's attention: and no poet is better-fitted to do justice to the theme.

The purpose of this Booklet of poems is easily discovered, when the booklet is perused. It is not an attempt at achievement in poetry. It is an expression of the soul: and the soul-song of one who loves the sanctuary, winged to many, far and near, who love to pay their vows in the Courts of the Lord's House.'

If the song "creates responsive melody in other hearts, the poet's work and wishes wi1l have been amply rewarded."

A. Garside.

Steep Lane Manse,
January 15th, 1924.

This and associated entries use material which was kindly contributed by Emily Kearns and transcribed by Sue Johnson

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