Rev Dr Alec Motyer and John Stott Combined Age of 168 Years!

“It’s a fact. Never in the history of the Keswick Convention have two speakers enjoyed a combined age of 168 years! If that’s not Saga material, what is? My elderly eyes were blind with tears as I watched my beloved friend make his slow way to the platform, marked his resolute stance at the lectern (refusing the chair the authorities had provided), and thanked God, with the thousands present, for the best evening meeting of the week, all the accustomed clarity of thought and presentation, and, as ever, total devotion and faithfulness to the Word of God. The same two antiquarians could have been seen eating together on the Monday evening, and breakfasting together on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. This was joy indeed. My mind went back fifty years to the first time I sat beside John – in the library at Lambeth Palace whither we had been summoned to register our protest at the way the revision of Canon Law in the Church of England was then proceeding. He did not know me then and I was too overawed to speak to him. But richer memories came from the 1960’s when he used to invite me annually as a neighbouring vicar to share a study week at The Hookses. That was when, for me, admiration blossomed into a loving friendship, which the years (in spite of tragic infrequency of meeting) have served to increase. John was taken by surprise – and, I think, a bit embarrassed – that both on meeting and parting I kissed him (forehead or hand). But that is what 1 Thes 5:26 directs – even if his commentary says it should be interpreted as ‘a culturally appropriate gesture’. Never mind ‘culture’. How else should I greet one I love and revere in equal measure? Keswick came and went, and the goodness of our Lord Jesus saw both him and me through its demands. We both ‘sang our swansongs’ to that huge gathering, and now we both turn to what Charles Simeon described as ‘running with all our might now that the winning post is in sight’. Running! My zimmer frame trails far behind his, I fear, but I long with all my heart to be identified (however feebly) with his legacy – to know, love, read, study and proclaim the Word of God as long as the Lord gives life and His grace gives strength.” Rev Dr Alec Motyer