students of jesus

Oppressive societies throw godly people in prison. Civilized societies have them committed to mental institutions. Christopher Smart was confined for insanity at London’s St. Luke’s hospital for a “disconcerting impulse for public prayer,” also known as “religious monomania.” True, the events of his life happened 300 years ago, but how different are our modern judgments?

While polite society thought Smart was preoccupied with God, his fellow poets saw the width and breath of his genius. 18th century giants such as Dr. Samuel Johnson and Robert Browning admired him, and 20^th century poet said Smart is "the purest case of man's vision prevailing over the spirit of his times." The civilized poets of the British Empire gave lip service to the church; Smart filled his lungs with the passion, wonder, and praise of God. He could not contain his poetic expression to the couplets and meter of cultivated taste. While the literary world was structured, ordered and followed the rules of good poetry, Smart prefigured modern verse by generations.

Christopher Smart saw the goodness of God everywhere. We should all be so crazy.

An excerpt from Jubilate Agno (“Rejoice in the Lamb”)

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.

For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.

For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.

For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.

For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.

For he rolls upon prank to work it in.

For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.

For this he performs in ten degrees.

For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.

For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.

For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.

For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.

For fifthly he washes himself.

For sixthly he rolls upon wash.

For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.

For eighthly he rubs himself against a post.

For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.

For tenthly he goes in quest of food.

For having considered God and himself he will consider his neighbor.

For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.

For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.

For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.

For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins.

For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.

For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.

For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.

For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.