Intriguing Plaques

I was intrigued this morning by these memorial plaques in a city Church. The smaller plaque announces that the Rev. R.C. Lamb was a rector -- which simply means that he was in charge. Then he died. The larger plaque is in memory of his wife -- and it is effusive. She was faithful, patient, wise, kind -- she served, she was loved, she held her Saviour dear, and so on. Yet Rev. Lamb served for 30 years, which is a remarkable ministry -- and his Church left a big impression on history. OBSERVATION: This incongruity really stood out for me. Maybe the explanation lies in the dates. Rev. Lamb probably saw the plaque for his wife go up, and made it a loving tribute -- but as is not uncommon among ministers, he wanted no praise for himself when he died.