Anecdotal Evidence: `He Seldom Mentions Sin'

Anecdotal Evidence: `He Seldom Mentions Sin'
Excerpt:
Auden...wrote an introduction to the celebrated Phyllis McGinley in Times Three (1960), he collected poems that went through seven printings in six years. Here is “This Side of Calvin”:

“The Reverend Dr. Harcourt, folk agree,
Nodding their heads in solid satisfaction,
Is just the man for this community.
Tall, young, urbane, but capable of action,
He pleases where he serves. He marshals out
The younger crowd, lacks trace of clerical unction,
Cheers the Kiwanis and the Eagle Scout,
Is popular at every public function,

“And in the pulpit eloquently speaks
On divers matters with both wit and clarity:
Art, Education, God, the Early Greeks,
Psychiatry, Saint Paul, true Christian charity,
Vestry repairs that shortly must begin—
All things but Sin. He seldom mentions Sin.”

McGinley’s satire is gentle, as is mine.