The Anchor: To Retain
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Anchor: To Retain
Scripture Reference:
- Romans 8 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A huge anchor lies on the beach; behind it a sailor talks to a hiker. In the left background is a village with a church. Several ships sail on the sea. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem, as well as for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant Scripture text is Romans 8:24-25.
Motto:
Make thyself a firm knot,
On the Support of hope.
Poem:
It is said; Hope, is Suffering’s solace.
Hope, is the Anchor of our Soul,
As we go, to the blessed East,
So as to preserve life’s Ship.
The Iron Arm, in a pact,
Gone through the fire and firmly riveted,
Fastens itself in hidden soil,
Sunken down in good faith:
While it storms and blows merrily,
With tossing in the wild waves,
Or veering toward the shore,
And similar perils of the Sea.
O Sea! of the life of this Time,
Immense, to earthly eyes,
We have to the land of Salvation,
Set out with Hope.
Be then the wind for or against,
We must sail on, and not be faint-hearted,
He who starts his Journey with God,
Will not complain about the difficulty,
When he rests after weariness,
And after hoping, he will be,
At the very richest Heavenly coast,
The country of all those loved by God.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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