Sidney's long life reflected his search for truth and profound faith, as well as
his keen interest and the pleasure he took in everyday affairs. He believed that
the Holy Spirit of God is present in all creation. He believed that God's will prevails
ultimately and he lived his life in the simple faith, that the "Unseen Navigator"
was beside him, guiding and caring for him. He believed passionately in the power
of prayer and in the importance of meditation, and above all, contemplation.
Sidney loved all god's creatures, befriending the birds in his garden and the field-mouse
who visited him in the house. He gazed with equal delight at the glistening trail
made by a snail on the path and at the flowers, trees and sky.
We were greatly blessed by his presence at Meeting for Worship, where Sidney ministered
prayerfully and from the heart. As an Aspen tree quivers in the wind Sidney was sometimes
shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit and would "quake". In Long Sutton Meeting
House, shortly before he died, he spoke memorably of the joy of waking in the morning,
breathing and being alive.
The Meeting for Prayer and Healing had been a focal point in Sidney's life for years.
He had a particular concern for mothers and their unborn babies, as well as those
people in our local communities who needed support. He was a fierce guardian of this
meeting and displeased by non-attendance without valid excuse, because of the duty
of prayer and its importance in the process of healing. He handed over leadership
of this group on his one hundred and first birthday.
Sidney and Kathleen moved from Northumberland to Somerset on Sidney's retirement,
somewhat to their children's surprise. They came together to Long Sutton Meeting
for Worship until Kathleen's illness prevented her. Sidney cared for Kathleen through
her final difficult time and kept her memory alive, often speaking of her lovingly.
Sidney founded the Rambler's club in Curry Rivel and led bird-watching walks. When
profound deafness made listening to birdsong difficult he turned his attention to
wild flowers. That was a typical manoeuvre to accept misfortune and find blessing.
He read widely and lived as simply as possible, following his principles. He enjoyed
company and parties and expected the best of his fellow human beings.
Sidney published his autobiography, "Dust and Stars", which includes many of his
poems, in 1995. In the last month of 2011, Long Sutton Meeting published "Promptings",
an anthology of quotations from the mystics, theologians and poets, which Sidney
used to provide for our spiritual nourishment as an "Endpiece" or "Opening" in the
monthly newsletter. In hospital, in the last week of his life, Sidney was still working
on his latest book. He handed over its final editing and publication to his son David.
The poem "Alpha-Omega" by Sidney,often quoted by him, was read at his Memorial Meeting
and in its apparent simplicity, captures the wisdom and profound faith of our dear
friend.
"Lead me, my guide, my truth to learn
Teach me, my God, thy truth to yearn
And fix me, as to thee I turn
Cool me as for thee I yearn
Awake, my soul: Is this dream for me
That in God's heart myself does seem to be?
Hearken, my soul; in spirits purest ray
Rest.........there is no more to say
