Salisbury Cathedral is unique in Britain. The Cathedral was begun in 1220, and finished, with the exception of the tower and spire, in 1258. Ah, that spire, generations of artists with paintbrush or camera have attempted to capture its beauty rising above the water meadows of the River Avon.
At 404 feet, it is the tallest spire in England. In 1668 Sir Christopher Wren was called on to survey the spire. Wren found that it was leaning nearly 30 inches out of plumb, and had iron tie-rods inserted to brace it.
It was not a cornerstone problem or even a foundation flaw but the upward reaching 404 foot spire had begun to lean and was out of plumb. Alas, the upward reach had begun to lean in spite of the cornerstone and the foundation!
It is sad to see any once purposeful group retaining pride in their foundational and cornerstone beginnings and all the while, in their striving for prominence, betray the very foundation that they were built upon.
As they exclaim, “Look at where we came from!” they fail to see where they are going. The lean from out of plum continues to worsen as they clamor onward and upward seeking worldly acceptance. Failure to keep the spire aligned to the foundation will eventually bring about catastrophic results.
Amo 7:7-8 “Thus he showed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:”
When the center of emphasis changes from quality to quantity beware. When the upward reach begins to lean earthward — beware.
— jlg —