Window
Building Name: Chapel in the Woods; Starr CommonwealthStudio Name: Burnham (W. H.) Studios
City: Albion
Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)
Date of Window: 1954
Subject/Title of Window: Saint Francis
Brief Description of Subject: Saint Francis was born in 1182. Although his father was a wealthy merchant, Francis was called the "Little Poor Man." He could not bear to see any living creature suffering, lonely or in need. He called all creatures his "brothers." He was expecially fond of birds and it is written that whole flocks fo them would come and sit quietly near him while he talked to them. Even the fish would come to the surface of the water to hear his voice. Such was Francis' love for all God's creatures.
Our window represents Saint Francis in a rubby brown cossock, highlighted with amber - a lovely warmth of color against the intense blue of the background. Here with the good saint are pictured a few of his "brothers" - the squirrel, the rabbit and the friendly birds.
Shall we pause here at the Saint Francis window and, in imagination, hear the soft voice of the kindly saint repeat the words of his prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace,
That where there is hatred I may bring love,
That where there is wrong I may bring the spirit of forgivness,
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony,
That where there is error, I may bring truth,
That where there is doubt, I may bring faith,
That where there is shadow, I may bring Thy light,
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather
To comfort than to be comforted;
To understand than to be understood;
To love than to be loved;
For
It is by giving that one receives;
It is by self-forgetting that one finds;
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven;
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
From "May All Who Enter This Chapel-in-the-Woods Rejoice and Be Exceeding Glad in The Love of Jesus Christ Our Lord," by Starr Commonwealth For Boys, Albion, Michigan.
Inscriptions: Etta-Miller Burnham
Condition of Window: Good
Height: 4'
Width: 2'
Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Silver Stain
Saint Francis
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