TITLES OF WONDER

Ever wondered about the titles of F.W. Boreham’s books? If you have, then I think FWB would be pleased. His book titles (and his essay titles) were a window into the world of wonder which his essays championed and into which he wanted his audience to join him. One of his book titles, “A Reel of Rainbow” (1922) was something a young child said to him when he lived in New Zealand. It made him wonder. “When Swans Fly High” (1931) came to him when he and Stella were in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens for their weekly visit and a flock of swans took off from one of the ponds and flew inexplicably high into the sky. That got him wondering. This is why many are finding his essays are so good for the soul. In a world of engineering precision and scientism Boreham reminds his readers that this world is still full of wonder.

As a young boy he would go for walks with his father. He particularly enjoyed their Sunday walks to their local church. Although it was only a short distance, his father some managed to find new detours and things of amazement along the way. FWB grew to share his father’s fascination with plants, rocks. fauna, insects, and landscapes. Over time, FWB’s propensity to wonder would eventually be further developed by his mentor, J.J. Doke. It was Doke who introduced him to art, science and history. “Read!” J.J. Doke told the fledgling pastor, “Read!” And read Boreham did! He read much and he read widely. His essays are garnished and seasoned with the labour of his extensive and eclectic reading. But above all, F.W. Boreham helps us to consider the wonder of the ordinary and common. What makes him unique though, is that he shows that what makes these otherwise ordinary subjects so wondrous, is that they all declare the wonders of their Maker and Redeemer. 

In a world where many of us live lives that are a day-to-day blur often deprived of wonder, supplementing your Bible reading with an F.W. Boreham essay may be just thing to put a little wonder into our day. For starters, try one of these-

• The Luggage of Life (1911)
• The Supremacies of Life (1911) 
• Round Abouts And Swings (1917)

And when you do, I hope you have a wonderful day!

Andrew Corbett