Congratulations on surviving another looooooooong weekend without Lent Madness voting to anchor your day, ground your faith, and generally infuse your soul with the will to live. The only lifeline we tossed out was a chance to win your very own life-sized cardboard cutout of 2015 Golden Halo winner Francis of Assisi. Learn how here.
Today's pairing involves two saintly souls whose lives overlapped for a period during the mid-19th century. Vida Dutton Scudder, an American laywoman and proponent of the social gospel tangles with F.D. Maurice, a British cleric and defender of Christian socialism. Both were writers and advocates for the poor and downtrodden.
On Friday, we capped off a week of blowouts with Dietrich Bonhoeffer triumphing over Athanasius 77% to 23% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen. Actually, it wasn't an entire week of lopsided results, as last Monday saw the closest battle of Lent Madness 2016 with Columba eking out a victory over Kateri Tekakwitha.
But enough of the recent past. A full week of voting is nigh upon us which will include our first foray into the Saintly Sixteen on Thursday as Helena takes on Constance. Time to vote!
Vida Dutton Scudder
Vida Dutton Scudder was an Episcopalian, educator, writer, social justice activist, feminist, social worker, and proponent of the American Social Gospel Movement. She was born on December 15, 1861, in Madurai, India, to Congregationalist missionaries. When her father died prematurely in 1862, she and her mother returned to their family’s home in Boston. She graduated from Smith College in 1884 and taught English literature at Wellesley College, becoming a full professor by 1910.
Scudder worked tirelessly for peace and for the working class, labor unions, and the downtrodden. In 1890, she founded Denison House in Boston, which provided social services and education to the poor and those in need. She withstood criticism for two controversial stands that she supported: the 1912 textile workers strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and the United States’ entry into World War I in 1917.
Over the years, Scudder joined various religious groups that combined social awareness with religious beliefs. In 1911 she was one of the founders of The Episcopal Church Socialist League and 1919 saw her founding the Church League for Industrial Democracy. She was also a Companion in the Companions of the Society of the Holy Cross (SCHC).
Scudder’s later years were dedicated to her inexhaustible writings, illustrating her vast knowledge and interest on topics centering on activism and spirituality. In addition to her autobiography, On Journey, she wrote essays in The Privilege of Age, as well as Socialism and Spiritual Progress: A Speculation; The Christian Attitude Toward Private Property; The Church and the Hour: Reflections of A Socialist Churchwoman; and Socialism and Character.
Of her lifelong dedication to Christianity and to social work, Scudder said, “If prayer is the deep secret creative force that Jesus tells us it is, we should be very busy with it.” She also noted, “Social intercession may be the mightiest force in the world.”
Vida Dutton Scudder died on October 9, 1954.
Collect for Vida Dutton Scudder
Most gracious God, who sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in thy Church witnesses who, after the example of your servant Vida Dutton Scudder, stand firm in proclaiming the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
F.D. Maurice
A brilliant thinker but an imperfect communicator, Frederick Denison Maurice influenced many in Victorian England and was a vigorous spokesman for Christian socialism, the idea that greed and capitalism is counter to the teachings of Jesus.
Born in Suffolk, England, in 1805, Maurice was the son of a Unitarian minister. After studying at Trinity College, Cambridge, and earning a law degree, Maurice pursued literary endeavors in London before deciding to enroll at Oxford and study to become an Anglican priest.
Appointed as chaplain to Guy’s Hospital and later assigned to Lincoln’s Inn as a priest, Maurice received a call in 1840 to become professor of English literature and history at King’s College, London. The 1853 publication of his Theological Essays was not received favorably by the principal of King’s College, who declared it theologically unsound. Despite his legitimate protestations, Maurice was found guilty and stripped of his teaching posts.
Although he had worked among society’s wealthiest and most influential members, Maurice also had a deep passion for the poor. Following his dismissal from King’s College, he founded The Working Men’s College and served as its principal from 1854 to 1872. Much of Maurice’s writings on Christian socialism come from this time period. He was also appointed a professor of moral philosophy at Cambridge in 1866.
F.D. Maurice wrote brilliantly and broadly, and his works include commentaries and a series of sermons on The Book of Common Prayer, as well as works on moral philosophy. Famed authors Alfred Lord Tennyson, Lewis Carroll, and George MacDonald knew Maurice well and were influenced by him.
Earnest, passionate, and humble, Maurice was known as a deep thinker, a generous benefactor, a powerful, prophetic voice on behalf of the poor, and a genuinely noble soul.
Collect for F.D. Maurice
Almighty God, who restored our human nature to heavenly glory through the perfect obedience of our Savior Jesus Christ: Keep alive in your Church, we pray, a passion for justice and truth; that, like your servant Frederick Denison Maurice, we may work and pray for the triumph of the kingdom of your Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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157 comments on “Vida Dutton Scudder vs. F.D. Maurice”
I loved both narratives and both candidates. Today I must vote American and for standing by her convictions in the face of a society that did not accept women as having deep thoughts, and especially for her insight about prayer.
While I strongly believe in social work, I do not believe in socialism, which is the former in its bureaucratic extreme and which will always eventually fail under its own weight and the weight of human greed. Inevitably, the oppressed become the oppressors ... unions being the prime example. But in Vida's day ... they were vital ... in ending the horrors of industrial slavery and in creating a middle class. And as for WWI, how much longer would the suffering and slaughter have gone on had we not entered the war?
As with Cyril and Methodious, I'm frustrated the SEC pitted these two so like in many ways against each other in the first round. Near contemporaries, Christian Socialists both makes it very hard to choose. I'm going with Scudder chiefly on the grounds that accomplishing what she did as woman in her time is even more amazing.
While I am well aware that Wikipedia is not the best resource, I did reference it for both Vida and F.D.
F.D. gets my vote because of his tireless work, prayerful life and deep spirituality.
Maurice, because I still remember this quote from seminary days (50+ yeas ago): Because I believe in the incarnation I believe in good sewers. (No quotes because my memory is probably not verbatim any more.) I never bought into socialism, but I do like his practical theology.
Thank you, Fr. Bill, for the quote. I'll have to add it to my list of things on which to ponder.
No choices here. I'll take a pass.
I am so excited that a socialist will make it to the Saintly 16. Can't lose today!
Vida - because she stood with the Lawrence MA garment workers - still an issue today with virtual slave conditions for overseas garment workers. Also, it turns out that one of my other heroines, Amelia Earhart, lived and worked at Denison House!
Vida receives my vote. She is the example for our lives in this era of need for all of us to step outside of our comfort zones.
Both were commendable for their work on behalf of the poor, but as an alumna I have to go with the Wellesley woman
My heart jumped when I saw that Vida was taught at Wellesley. I am an alumna too! I am all for a professor who promotes the gospel!
As a member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, Vida has served as a role model for social justice and forward thinking.
Both interesting life paths, but I could not vote for Vida after reading of her support for WWI, one of the greatest most purposeless losses of human life there has been. I would have thought she would have stood with the conscientious objectors. I do love her quote about prayer, but went with Maurice.
Although I am not familiar with either of these good souls I have to go with the man who influenced one of my very favorite authors, George McDonald, and thereby, another great Christian writer, C.S.Lewis.
I don't know if Jesus would be a Democrat or an Independent if here today but I'm absolutely certain he would not be a Republican.
As a long time member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, it's Vida Scudder all the way for me!
Vida all the way for me; I am, after all, married to a UNION MAN
I received scholarship assistance in seminary from the Scudder Foundation. Her family continued her good work for many years after her earthly ministry. I voted for Vida in thanksgiving.
Voted for Vida. She was one of the pioneer social workers in this country. I can understand how she initially supported the US entrance into WW1 and later became a pacifist--the early part of the 20th century was a very strange time. FD Maurice was no slouch either--both are worthy saints trying to make the world a better place.
Sadly, the predominate "greedy capitalism vs. pure socialism" tone of this thread obscures so much of Jesus's capitalist teachings ( such as 3 servants who were rewarded according to what they had done with what the Master gave them). A good grounding in the doctrine of original sin helps us see past the gauzy promise of socialism and into the laity of how sinful mortals really think and act. A reading of the New Testament gives a strong hint to what happened when the Jersualem Church tried to practice socialism. There is biblical teaching to both support and challenge both modern socialism and modern capitalism.
Derek -- I would enjoy discussing this with you some more, but I don't think the Lent Madness comments section is the best place. I am on Facebook: Kathy Floerke. If you are also on Facebook, drop me a message or send me a friend request.
I enjoy these discussions the most, because I see ideas in action and learn about people's commitments. If you take these interesting discussions out to Facebook, I will have to follow you there, but I would much prefer that these ideas get hashed out here within a spiritual context with a congenial travelling party. I do see us all riding toward Canterbury together, and sometimes we're laughing and passing the flask and sometimes we're on each other's nerves, but always we are pushing the boundaries of spiritual conversation. I would be so sorry if these pregnant asides got shifted into the tepid waters of Facebook. (I guess we just got off our horses and are now in a boat. Good night.)
Reality, not laity. Darn auto-correct!
As a Companion of the Holy Cross I vote for Vita who continues to influence SCHC.
As a member if SCHC how could I not vote for
Vida. Her willingness to stand up to society and stand for those who needed support as well as her many contributions to SCHC wins my vote for sure.
As a fellow Companion I hereby cast my vote for Vida!
Hate these days when I want to vote for Both candidates - hard to pick today but I finally chose Vida .
Very difficult choice. I voted for Vida, but it was a difficult choice to make. It seems like one started the movement and the other continued it.
As a Smith alum, M.Ed. 1974, I cast my vote for Vida.
Very similar candidates this time:
-- both lived in the 19th century (although VDS was more of a 20th c. person);
-- both were academics;
-- both were Anglican/Episcopalian by choice;
-- both sought to reconcile Christian faith with a socialist view of politics/economics at a time when this was a more radical viewpoint among mainstream Christians than it is now;
-- both, in doing so, tried to combine theory and practice.
The only differences between them are nationality and gender.
I'll vote for the "underdog" candidate today, once I figure out which one is the underdog.
On days when neither person moves me, or when I'm stuck because both are so moving, I base my choice on any old reason that comes to mind. For example, today, my vote might have been based on determining "Vida Dutton Scudder" can be sung to the tune of "Fascinating Rhythm." As in:
"Vida Dutton Scudder, so fun to say your name,
Vida Dutton Scudder might win a halo.
Vida Dutton Scudder
is anything but tame.
Maurice's votes are way low..."
Ok, this wasn't the basis of my vote, but everything seemed so serious today, I took a leap for humor. I won't do it again for at least four years.
Haha, thanks, Peg S!
Excellent
We need to run Oliver against Trump! He is a winner!
Wow, asking me to choose between two socialists. I am afraid that I must recuse myself from this vote. I expected better from you, Lent Madness...
To be perfectly honest, neither one of these saints really spoke to me today. I could tell VDS was going to win this but went with Maurice instead. I like how he turned the disappointment of losing his faculty position into one of his greatest contributions, the founding of the Working Men's College.