The Marion E. Wade Center

In our 18th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. Kathryn Wehr discusses Dorothy L. Sayer’s little-known children’s stories.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #18: The Children's Stories of Dorothy L. Sayers with Kathryn Wehr Dr. Kathryn Wehr discusses Dorothy L. Sayer’s little-known children’s stories: "The Days of Christ's Coming" and "Even the Parrot."The Marion E. Wade Center ...

REMINDER: The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College presents "The Art of Eucatastrophe: The Ministry of Celebration in the Life of the Anxious Soul," a lecture by Amy Baik Lee on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM. This event is sponsored by the Stephen & Marjorie Mead Endowment for Spiritual Formation. Livestream link: https://tinyurl.com/4ucm27kh.

The discipline of celebration seems an unlikely help for Christians who suffer from anxiety. But many celebrations in Scripture and in beloved stories paint a broader and deeper picture than our modern ideas of revelry; they offer us robust inspiration for how we may gather together in the healing presence of God. Drawing from firsthand experience as well as the work of Wade Center authors and other writers, Amy Baik Lee delves into the possibility that fellowship, storytelling, and commemoration can rehabilitate our souls to expect joy.

Amy Baik Lee is the author of "This Homeward Ache," a founding member of The Cultivating Project, and a contributor to the Rabbit Room. She currently serves on the board of the Anselm Society and is a former co-director of the society's Arts Guild. A lifelong appreciator of stories, she holds an MA in English literature from the University of Virginia and still "does voices" when she reads aloud. She writes at a desk that looks out on a small cottage garden in Colorado, usually surrounded by her husband's woodworking projects, her two daughters' creative work, and patient cups of rooibos tea.

This event is free and open to the public and will take place in Marion E. Wade Center, Bakke Auditorium, located at 351 East Lincoln Avenue in Wheaton on the Northwest corner of campus at the intersection of Washington Street and Lincoln Avenue. Parking is located on the east side of Washington Street. For more information, contact the Wade Center.

In our 17th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. Jerry Root, Wheaton Professor of Evangelism Emeritus discusses C.S. Lewis’s personal copy of George MacDonald’s collection of poems "The Diary of an Old Soul."

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #17: C.S. Lewis's copy of "The Diary of an Old Soul" with Jerry Root Dr. Jerry Root, Wheaton Professor of Evangelism Emeritus discusses C.S. Lewis’s personal copy of George MacDonald’s collection of poems "The Diary of an Old ...

Happy first day of classes to Wheaton College students! These are members of Wheaton College's Tolkien Society participating in the "Mastodon March" yesterday to welcome freshmen to campus.

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Continuing Scholars Program at the Marion E. Wade Center.

The program engages works by and about the Wade’s seven featured authors to promote lifelong learning, convivial conversation, and spiritual encouragement in the Christian faith.

Members in each year’s cohort attend lectures, read and discuss a book by one of our authors, and explore the riches of the Wade Center’s collections.

See the comments for the link to learn more and apply today for one of our online or in-person cohorts. The application deadline for the 2024-25 program is Monday, September 23, 2024.

“I know that people charge the Church with lowering reason, but it is just the other way. Alone on earth, the Church makes reason really supreme. Alone on earth, the Church affirms that God himself is bound by reason.”

- G.K. Chesterton, “The Blue Cross,” THE INNOCENCE OF FATHER BROWN

Photo: Robert Stokoe, Pexels

In our 16th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Marjorie Lamp Mead, the Associate Director of the Wade Center, examines C.S. Lewis’s personal copy of The Book of Common Prayer and discusses its influence on his spiritual life.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #16: C.S. Lewis's Prayer Book with Marjorie Lamp Mead Marjorie Lamp Mead, the Associate Director of the Wade Center, examines C.S. Lewis’s personal copy of The Book of Common Prayer and discusses its influence o...

“Now we'd better start you off,” observed Mr. Ingleby. “Here's the guard-book. You'd better have a look through it to see the kind of thing, and then think up some headlines. Your story is, of course, that Dairyfields' 'Green Pastures' Margarine is everything that the best butter ought to be and only costs ninepence a pound. And they like a cow in the picture.”

“Why? Is it made of cow-fat?”

“Well, I daresay it is, but you mustn't say so. People wouldn't like the idea. The picture of the cow suggests the taste of butter, that's all. And the name—Green Pastures—suggests cows, you see.” . . .

“I see. Just something about 'Better than Butter and half the price.' Simple appeal to the pocket.”

“Yes, but you mustn't knock butter. They sell butter as well.”

“Oh!”

“You can say it's as good as butter.”

“But in that case,” objected Mr. Bredon, “what does one find to say in favour of butter? I mean, if the other stuff's as good and doesn't cost so much, what's the argument for buying butter?”

“You don't need an argument for buying butter. It's a natural, human instinct.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Anyway, don't bother about butter. Just concentrate on Green Pastures Margarine. When you've got a bit done, you take it along and get it typed, and then you buzz off to Mr. Hankin with the result. See? Are you all right now?”

“Yes, thanks,” said Mr. Bredon, looking thoroughly bewildered.

- Dorothy L. Sayers, MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, Chapter 1

Photo: Sorin Gheorghita, Unsplash

The Wade Center is pleased to announce the release of the Shirley Sugerman Papers, comprised of correspondence, notes, and drafts relating to the publication of Evolution of Consciousness: Studies in Polarity (Wesleyan University Press, 1976). Edited by Shirley Sugerman, Evolution of Consciousness contains scholarly contributions written to honor Owen Barfield on his 75th birthday. Shirley Sugerman Sugerman was a psychology professor at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey....

Announcing the Shirley Sugerman Papers at the Wade Center The Wade Center is pleased to announce the release of the Shirley Sugerman Papers, comprised of correspondence, notes, and drafts relating to the publication of Evolution of Consciousness: Studies …

In our 15th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Drs. Crystal and David Downing, former Wade Center Co-Directors, present J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing desk and one of the dip pens he used for composing texts.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access this and more videos: https://tinyurl.com/2fvbescw

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

“Marriage, save for rare ill chances or strange fates, was the natural course of life for all the Eldar. It took place in this way. . . .

In due time the betrothal was announced at a meeting of the two houses concerned, and the betrothed gave silver rings one to another. . . .

After the betrothal it was the part of the betrothed to appoint the time of their wedding, when at least one year had passed. Then at a feast, again shared by the two houses, the marriage was celebrated. At the end of the feast the betrothed stood forth, and the mother of the bride and the father of the bridegroom joined the hands of the pair and blessed them. For this blessing there was a solemn form, but no mortal has heard it; though the Eldar say that Varda was named in witness by the mother and Manwe by the father; and moreover that the name of Eru was spoken (as was seldom done at any other time). The betrothed then received back one from the other their silver rings (and treasured them); but they gave in exchange slender rings of gold, which were worn upon the index of the right hand.

Among the Noldor also it was a custom that the bride's mother should give to the bridegroom a jewel upon a chain or collar; and the bridegroom's father should give a like gift to the bride. These gifts were sometimes given before the feast. (Thus the gift of Galadriel to Aragorn, since she was in place of Arwen's mother, was in part a bridal gift and earnest of the wedding that was later accomplished.)”

- J.R.R. Tolkien, MORGOTH’S RING: HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH VOLUME X, “Laws and Customs Among the Eldar”

Photo: Sandy Millar, Unsplash

In our 14th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Melissa Doogan, Wade Center Office Manager, talks about C.S. Lewis’s copies of books by Edith Nesbit, the children’s writer who Lewis named as an influence on his Narnia stories.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #14: Melissa Doogan with C.S. Lewis's copies of Books by Edith Nesbit Melissa Doogan, Wade Center Office Manager, talks about C.S. Lewis’s copies of books by Edith Nesbit, the children’s writer who Lewis named as an influence o...

Highlights from the Wade's front and back summer gardens. Many varieties of flowers are now in bloom, attracting lots of pollinators. Can you spot the two bees in these photos?

Early release of our "Wonders of the Wade" video this week, Happy Fourth of July!

In our 13th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. David C. Downing, former Co-Director of the Wade with his wife Crystal, examines an English translation of Snorri Sturluson’s HEIMSKRINGLA, a 13th century collection of mythic and historical biographies of Norse kings. This ancient source seems to have inspired both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien in their creative works.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #13: David Downing with C.S. Lewis’s copy of HEIMSKRINGLA Dr. David C. Downing, former Co-Director of the Wade with his wife Crystal, examines an English translation of Snorri Sturluson’s HEIMSKRINGLA, a 13th centur...

REMINDER: The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College and Wheaton College Summer Institute present "An Evening with G.K. Chesterton: Apostle of Joy," a one man play, written by and starring John Walker on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM CT.

Join John Walker in his portrayal of G.K. Chesterton, prolific Christian writer, poet and ambassador of the faith on a journey through the afterlife where he recounts his life with wonder and gratitude while unpacking the golden key to his love of Christ. This one-man stage play introduces G.K. Chesterton in a supernatural setting as he travels through the afterlife unpacking the journey of his faith with his ever-present wit and paradoxical wisdom.

John Walker is a Professor of Theatre at Franciscan University and an award-winning actor who has performed in theatre, TV and film from London to Hollywood. He began performing Chesterton on EWTN where his series Chesterton Station is still in production.

This event is free and open to the public and will take place in Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, Room 190 Concert Hall, located at 520 East Kenilworth Avenue in Wheaton. For more information, contact Wade Center at 630.752.5908 or [email protected].

Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/Ba8ZceMngTM?feature=share

In our 12th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Sarah O’Dell, a PhD/MD candidate at the University of California, Irvine, analyzes the unpublished version of the essay C.S. Lewis’s friend and fellow Inkling, Robert E. “Humphrey” Havard, composed as an appendix to Lewis’s "The Problem of Pain."

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #12: "The Medical Inkling" with Sarah O'Dell Sarah O’Dell, a PhD/MD candidate at the University of California, Irvine, analyzes the unpublished version of the essay C.S. Lewis’s friend and fellow Inklin...

REMINDER: The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College presents "Friendship: The Forgotten Spiritual Discipline," a lecture and book signing by Reverend Dr. Pamela Baker Powell on Thursday, June 13 at 7pm CT. The Wade Center's co-director, Crystal Downing, provides a foreword to the book.

"Participation in friendship is a spiritual blessing. It is an unrecognized spiritual discipline that enriches your soul eternally. Here you will have an opportunity to consider your friendship as more than a pleasant engagement and discover what they can mean for your life today and eternally." --Wipf & Stock

Reverend Dr. Pamela Baker Powell is a retired ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church, a former Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Dean of Students at two theological faculties, a speaker/preacher and a writer. She has been the preaching pastor for four churches over the course of her ministry, including at one point, the pastor of an African-American Church. Married to a clergyman, their life together has taken them from California to Texas to Pennsylvania and back again to California! Eight years ago, they retired and moved to the Western Suburb of Wheaton where she is the Parish Associate for Glen Ellyn Presbyterian Church.

This event is free and open to the public and will take place in Marion E. Wade Center's Bakke Auditorium. Parking is located on the east side of Washington street. For more information, contact the Wade Center at 630.752.5908 or [email protected]. Link to the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/ryX8LPjgg8c

In our 11th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. Kathryn Wehr discusses the new Wade Annotated Edition of Dorothy L. Sayers’s "The Man Born to Be King," for which Dr. Wehr provided the introduction and annotations..

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #11: THE MAN BORN TO BE KING by Dorothy L. Sayers, with Kathryn Wehr Dr. Kathryn Wehr discusses the new Wade Annotated Edition of Dorothy L. Sayers’s "The Man Born to Be King," for which Dr. Wehr provided the introduction and ...

REMINDER: Join us on Thursday, May 30 at 7pm CT for "When A Heart Is Really Alive: George MacDonald and the Prophetic Imagination," a lecture by Malcolm Guite.

This lecture will explore how MacDonald's fantasy writing not only created a new literary genre and inspired writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, but also how the living, numinous, symbols and stories he created continue to speak powerfully and prophetically into our own cultural crisis, two hundred years after he was born.

Malcolm Guite is a poet and priest, and Life Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge. He lives in Norfolk, England, and lectures widely in England and North America on Theology and Literature. His books include: Sounding the Seasons; Seventy Sonnets for the Christian Year (Canterbury Press 2012), The Singing Bowl; Collected Poems (Canterbury Press 2013), Parable and Paradox (Canterbury Press 2016), Mariner: A Voyage with Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Hodder 2017), After Prayer (Canterbury Press 2019), The Word Within the Words (DLT 2021), and Lifting The Veil (Canterbury Press 2022). In 2023 he was awarded the Archbishop Lanfranc Medal for Education and Scholarship by the Archbishop of Canterbury. He also has a YouTube series called ‘A Spell in the Library.’

This lecture is free and open to the public, and will take place in Armerding Concert Hall, 520 Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. The event is sponsored by the Marion E. Wade Center’s Muriel Fuller Endowment for the Imagination and the Arts and is part of the "George MacDonald and the Prophetic Imagination" Bicentennial Conference with the George MacDonald Society.

Link to the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/gEEIHrdIk8g

In our 10th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. Philip Ryken, President of Wheaton College, discusses the Narnia figurines that were originally distributed as part of McDonald’s Happy Meals: https://youtu.be/f0zoAkgqmJ8.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

The Marion E. Wade Center The Marion E. Wade Center is a major research collection of materials by and about 7 British authors.

REMINDER: Join us Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 7pm CT in Bakke Auditorium for THE EVERLASTING MAN: A Guide to G.K. Chesterton’s Masterpiece Book Talk & Signing with editor Dale Ahlquist.

C.S. Lewis called G.K. Chesterton’s THE EVERLASTING MAN the best popular book on Christian apologetics. Celebrate the release of this beautiful new edition of THE EVERLASTING MAN by G.K. Chesterton from Word on Fire Publishing that includes an introduction, notes, and commentary from the speaker. Book signing to follow!

Dale Ahlquist is President of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. He is the creator and host of the EWTN television series, “The Apostle of Common Sense” and publisher of "Gilbert" magazine. He is the author of six books, editor of sixteen, and has introduced or contributed to over 25 books. He is also the founder of the Chesterton Schools Network, which now includes over 60 classical secondary schools in the U.S. and four other countries.

Drs. Crystal and David Downing recently announced their retirement as Co-Directors of the Wade Center and co-holders of the Marion E. Wade Chair of Christian Thought. Dr. James Beitler, currently Professor of English at Wheaton College, will become the Wade Center's fifth director.

Read more about this announcement on the Wade Center's website:
https://shorturl.at/mtBMY

In our 9th “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. Holly Ordway, author of the book TOLKIEN'S FAITH, discusses the oral histories and transcripts available at the Wade Center. Ordway has found first-hand accounts from those who knew Tolkien, Lewis, and other Inklings especially helpful in her own research and writing.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #9: The Wade's Oral History Collection with Holly Ordway Dr. Holly Ordway, author of the book "Tolkien’s Faith," discusses the oral histories and transcripts available at the Wade Center. Ordway has found first-han...

The Wade Center will be open 10am-3pm on Saturday, May 4 in celebration of Commencement and Alumni Weekend. Feel free to stop by!

The Wade's gardens are waking up to spring!

In our eighth “Wonders of the Wade” video, Drs. Crystal and David Downing, Wade Center Co-Directors, showcase C.S. Lewis’s personal writing desk and chair.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #8: C.S. Lewis's Desk with David and Crystal Downing Drs. Crystal and David Downing, Wade Center Co-Directors, showcase C.S. Lewis’s personal writing desk and chair.The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series o...

Happy birthday to Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis, born April 18, 1915.

Wade Center Image: CSL-F / P-74

REMINDER: The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College presents "Many Times & Many Places: C.S. Lewis and the Value of History Book Talk & Signing," with authors K. Alan Snyder and Jamin Metcalf on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM in Bakke Auditorium.

What is the value of knowing history, especially at a time when universities are cutting back on history courses and degree programs? C.S. Lewis’s education gave him a strong foundation in history. He knew its value, not only for the general public, but also for Christians who want to understand history from a Scriptural point of view. "Many Times & Many Places: C.S. Lewis and the Value of History" draws upon this influential Christian author to help determine not only why history has value, but also to aid readers in grasping how one should divide historical periods, how to develop a historical imagination, and how to avoid key errors in interpreting history.

Dr. K. Alan Snyder has been a professor of history at four Christian universities and is the author of five previous books, his latest being "America Discovers C.S. Lewis: His Profound Impact" (2016). Dr. Snyder teaches at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, as an adjunct professor of history and is on the staff of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Lakeland. Dr. Snyder was the 2022 recipient of the Clyde S. Kilby Research Grant awarded by the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.

Jamin Metcalf is a pastor and educator in Cottonwood, Arizona where he oversees Journey College as well as several other discipleship programs. Jamin holds a master’s degree in Humanities from the University of Dallas, as well as degrees in History and Theology from Southeastern University. During his career in education, he has taught courses on Ancient History, American History, Literature, and Rhetoric. He is also the author of "C.S. Lewis and the Historical Imagination" (2023), "Why Christian Pedagogy Matters" (2019), and the original musical, "The Brightest Star" (2021).

This event is free and open to the public, is an in-person-only event, and will not be recorded. For more information, contact Wade Center at 630.752.5908 or [email protected].

Today in Middle-earth: Frodo and Sam are honored at the Field of Cormallen.

“‘A great Shadow has departed,’ said Gandalf, and then he laughed and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count. It fell upon his ears like the echo of all the joys he had ever known. But he himself burst into tears. Then, as a sweet rain will pass down a wind of spring and the sun will shine out the clearer, his tears ceased, and his laughter welled up, and laughing he sprang from his bed.

‘How do I feel?’ he cried. ‘Well, I don’t know how to say it. I feel, I feel’ – he waved his arms in the air – ‘I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!’”

- J.R.R. Tolkien, THE RETURN OF THE KING, Bk. 6, Ch. 4

Photo: Kai Pilger unsplash dot com/photos/sunlight-across-green-trees-6eCBRY8x3WM

In our seventh “Wonders of the Wade” video, Dr. Timothy Larsen, Professor of History and McManis Chair of Christian Thought at Wheaton, discusses George MacDonald’s copy of The Arabian Nights, a favorite of the MacDonald family.

The Marion E. Wade Center presents a series of 3-5 minute video vignettes called “Wonders of the Wade.” In this series we invite Wade Center staff, Wheaton College faculty, and visiting scholars to present a favorite item of theirs at the Wade Center. Each episode features a museum piece, a first edition, an unpublished manuscript, or a book from one of the Wade authors’ personal libraries, often with notes and markings in them. New episodes of “Wonders of the Wade” are published on the first and third Friday of every month. See the "Wonders of the Wade" playlist on our YouTube channel to access more videos.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications, or watch for social media posts on Instagram and Facebook as each episode is released.

Wonders of the Wade #7: George MacDonald's copy of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS with Tim Larsen Dr. Timothy Larsen, Professor of History and McManis Chair of Christian Thought at Wheaton, discusses George MacDonald’s copy of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, a favori...