new church life: jan uary / february 201 4
beliefs of other cultures throughout history, and to see how these cultures have
received and responded to the Lord’s influx. For while we are taught that the
Lord’s Church exists specifically where the Word is, where the Lord is known,
and where Divine Truths are revealed, we are also taught that there is a union
of heaven through the Word with people who are outside the Church, where
the Word is not found. For the Lord’s Church, whether specific or universal,
is everywhere and exists with everyone who acknowledges a divine and lives
a good life.
So why are museums so important? Speaking to this question and
specifically to the power of objects, Paine said: “Objects have a unique power
to speak to people, and do so on a quite different level to words, or even to
images. That is why religious objects in museums must have an exceptional
role and responsibility in the great cause of helping humankind to understand
human motives.”
After touring our collections and engaging in discussions of our mission
and the ways in which we interpret our collections, Paine humbly suggested
that our goal of becoming a leader in the interpretation of religion is not a
dream, but rather is firmly within our reach.
He noted that the Academy’s Museum is the oldest existing museum of
multiple religions in the world, and that the quality and depth of our collections
far surpass that of any other museum attempting to interpret the phenomena
of religion today. Our challenge is to continue to implement new ways to
share our collections, our interpretative approach, and most importantly our
mission with the world.
The Academy’s Museum has come a long way over the past 134 years,
from the small collection in Benade’s front parlor to a world-class museum,
enriching the education of our students, providing an opportunity for them
to gain career skills through volunteer opportunities and internships, and
sharing our mission with thousands of visitors each year.
I hope you will agree with Benade’s assertion as he sent home those first
1,000 artifacts in 1878 that, “A good museum is a necessary adjunct of a good
school,” and that it is serving today as a vital component within the founders’
vision of a comprehensive system of New Church education.
Brian D. Henderson is Director of the Glencairn Museum and teaches
History in Bryn Athyn College, where he has served in numerous roles,
including Dean of Students. He and his wife, Becky (Rogers), live in
Hatboro, Pennsylvania, and have two daughters – one in the Academy
Girls School, one in Bryn Athyn College.
[email protected]
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