# LXXXIV: Declension explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The speaker laments the futility of striving to revive past glories, questioning whether renewed efforts would only lead to the same cycle of pride and decay. He concludes that such reasoning is worldly-wise and that the Church must simply obey Christ's command to shine, trusting the outcome to God.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Church and Tradition

The poem reflects on the Church's mission to shine and the danger of falling into form and pride.

### Faith and Doubt

The speaker wrestles with doubt about the efficacy of effort, ultimately affirming trust in God's will.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who questions the value of striving and reviving dead memories.

### Lord

The Lord who bade His Church arise in the dark ancient time and wills that she should shine.

## Key lines

> When I am sad, I say, “What boots it me to strive, And vex my spirit day by day, Dead memories to revive?”

In my sadness, I question the point of struggling daily to bring back the past.

_The speaker expresses despair over the futility of trying to restore former times._

> Nay, this is worldly-wise; To reason is a crime, Since the Lord bade His Church arise, In the dark ancient time.

No, this thinking is merely human wisdom; it is wrong to reason so, because the Lord commanded His Church to rise up long ago.

_The speaker rejects his own doubts, affirming that obedience to God's command is paramount._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/lxxxiv-declension
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters