“The activity of love and faith is what makes heaven.”

"You didn't cower."
"Looks like a sword."
"It's a carving knife."
"It's beautiful."

HAHAHAHAHA. This trailer made me laugh a lot in the theater.

The Challenge:
A. Post 3 things you've done in your lifetime that you don't think anybody else on your friends list has done.
B. See if anybody else responds with "I've done that." If they have, you need to add another!(2.b., 2.c., etc...)
C. Have your friends cut & paste this into their journal to see what unique things they've done in their life.

1. Memorized "Les Miserables the Musical" in its entirety. In French.
2. Rescued five baby polar bears.
3. Dove for pottery shards off the island of Capri, Italy.

I've decided to finally record a sketch of our trip to France. I'm working from a trip itinerary and my journal so this shouldn't be too difficult. The group consisted of students (me, Kristine, Joelle, Diane, Kelly, Lamar, Dedan, and Heather), Glencairn staff (Lisa Adams, Stephen Morley, Leah Smith, Bret Bostock, and Michael Cothran), and Bryn Athyn community members (Gwen Asplundh, Barbara Acton, Alan and Teal Elder, Jessica Bostock, Clark and Peggy Pitcairn, Shirley Pitcairn, Jenny Maddock, Peggy and Bob Merrell, Soni Werner, Bri Kern, Sean and Holly Connelly, Lynn and Patrick Brannon, and Eyvind Boyesen. We all started out as acquaintances but by the end of the trip most of us were good friends.

I have photos of the churches and people on the trip on Facebook.
Sens, Fontenay, Beaune, and Dijon
Berzé-la-Ville, Cluny, Brancion, Tournous, and Autun
Vézelay, Troyes, Rheims, Laon, and Soissons
Beauvais, Chartres, Saint-Denis, Giverny, and Paris

Monday, June 9
Our flight left Philadelphia in the evening. All flights out of Philadelphia were delayed, but Leah Smith's husband Garrett does air traffic control there, and when his friends found out she was on our plane they bumped us up on the take-off list. The airline staff were so grateful they moved Leah up to first class. I sat next to Jenny Maddock and (amazingly) slept most of the way.

Tuesday, June 10
Our flight landed in the morning, local time. With a time difference of 6 hours we pretty much went from evening to morning without any break. After being processed at the airport we hoped on a bus and drove to Sens to see the Cathedral of St. Etienne. We had an adventure finding lunch and a bathroom, I discovered I knew more French than I thought, and we hoped back on the bus to go to Fontenay Abbey. It rained at Fontenay but I actually liked that since by now I was tired.

Wednesday, June 11
Slept in a hotel in Beaune, I woke up at 6 am (backwards jet lag? I don't know) and couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. There were a few people about, but mostly just the birds and me. It was a beautiful morning and I felt grateful to "greet" France in such a peaceful way. The group met at 8 and walked to the cathedral in Beaune. I wandered off by myself so I missed some of the history, but I was still enjoying the sort of fresh, dazed feeling of France (perhaps I was still a bit jet-lagged). After the cathedral we went to the Hotel Dieu, a hospital where Kristine gave a presentation on a painting by van Eyke. In the afternoon some of us went to Dijon to see the town.

Thursday, June 12
We drove to Berze la Ville today, way south of Paris in Burgundy, where I gave my presentation. It went well and I think my excitement at seeing the frescoes in the chapel helped people be interested. When I went to buy a book about Berze at the gift counter the French caretaker who listened to my talk got all excited and spoke to me in French and English, "Ah, it's her! She knows this place! But you must already have this book!" I was glad she liked it because I didn't want to be seen as a stranger striding into her chapel presuming to know everything.
Then we went on to Cluny, which was the mother abbey of Berze, mostly destroyed in the French Revolution; Brancion, a small church on a tall hill with the most gorgeous view I've ever seen in my life; and the Cathedral of Tournous.

Friday, June 13
Checked out of the hotel and traveled north into Champagne. Our first stop was Autun where we visited the Cathedral St. Lazare and met with Walter Barry from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He showed us a dig site for medieval artifacts and let us hold pieces of pottery that were almost 2000 years old. It was awesome. After lunch we went to Vezelay where Diane talked about the tympanum.

Saturday, June 14 (New Church Day false alarm 1)
We stayed in a hotel in Troyes (pronounced Twaah) and I had a moment of excitement followed by distress when I thought it was New Church Day and then heard it wasn't. We walked around town to the Cathedral of St. Pierre-et-St. Paul, and the Basilique of St. Urbain where Joelle gave her talk. The afternoon we spent shopping, relaxing, and checking email. And even though I wasn't there to celebrate in person, I know Abby and Malcolm had a beautiful wedding.

Sunday, June 15 (New Church Day false alarm 2)
Again, I thought it was New Church Day and was terribly disappointed when I heard it wasn't. We drove to Rheims where they were celebrating the Feast Day of Joan of Arc, and some of us went to mass at the Cathedral of St. Remi. There were two Archbishops presiding over mass, Holy Eucharist, a grand procession, and, my favorite part, a children's choir. It was a great way to spend a morning. We celebrated with the people of Rheims by browsing a medieval market for lunch, saw the basilica of Rheims in the afternoon, and continued on to Laon.

Monday, June 16 (New Church Day false alarm 3)
"Kendra! Wait until Thursday!" Kristine almost yelled at me when I asked if it was New Church Day yet. Today we tried to drive the bus up a mountain but got stuck and instead rode a trolley thing to upper Laon and the cathedral. In the afternoon we visited Soissons to see, guess what? their cathedral.

Tuesday, June 17 (New Church Day false alarm 4)
I remembered THURSDAY before I spoke to anyone, so luckily Kristine didn't have to smack me about getting the days mixed up. We left early in the morning and drove to Saint Denis. There was a strike so half the cathedral, including the area where Kelly's window is located, was closed. After St. Denis we continued on to Paris where we had raw chicken for dinner.

Wednesday, June 18 (tomorrow is New Church Day!)
Our morning started with a bus tour of Paris, ending at the Louvre. They now allow photography with a flash anywhere in the museum, so I took dozens of pictures of paintings and statues. After lunch we went to Sainte-Chappelle, Louis IX's private chapel. I was really excited about this because I studied it in high school and wasn't allowed in when I came to Paris before. The windows are wonderful. I spent the evening at a laundry mat, but wasn't bored because I caught up on my reading (I purposely brought only one book, AC, so I would make some progress) and talked with some Parisians also doing laundry.

Thursday, June 19 (NEW CHURCH DAY!!!)
Today we had a free day so a group of us went to Sacre Coeur on Montmartre. I think it's my favorite place in Paris, so I was really excited. Leah, Dedan, and I climbed 300 steps to the top of the dome and took a lot of pictures. Afterwards I went wandering and shopping with Joelle, Shirley, Jenny, Holly, and Sean around Paris. I was exhausted and went to bed very early.

Friday, June 20
Back on the bus, we drove to Chartres where we heard about the building from Lamar, David, Michael, and Dedan. It is a beautiful church and there are 5 windows in the nave that Raymond Pitcairn copied for Glencairn's Great Hall. Kristine and I splurged on lunch at a cafe (usually we get fruit and yogurt from the grocery store or cheap baguette sandwiches for meals) and even had dessert. On the way back to Paris we stopped in Versailles just to see the gardens. I went wandering through Paris with a group in the evening. We ate the most delicious dark chocolate and hazelnut "glace" (ice cream).

Saturday, June 21 (Kristine's birthday!)
Today was Kristine's birthday and the Fete de la Musique (Festival of Music). There was music playing all day all over France, especially in Paris. We drove to Giverny to see Monet's garden, arriving jut 20 minutes before the hordes of other tourists. Then we went to Rouen to see the cathedral, Richard the Lionheart's tomb, and the place where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. A group of us had a delicious picnic by the Seine to celebrate Kristine's birthday, and joined in some celebrations of music walking home. The streets were PACKED with people and there were musicians in every cafe, bar, bridge, corner, etc. There were bands, DJ's, violin players, Native American musicians, African musicians, etc. You name them, they were playing in Paris.

Sunday, June 22
We didn't have a schedule the last day in France, so I was determined to relax and observe as much of Paris as possible. I walked by myself all day: from our hotel to the center of Paris and then visited the Jardin de Luxembourg (where I ate a picnic lunch), La Sorbonne, Notre Dame (where I planned to attend church but there was a huge crowd waiting to get in), and a bunch of smaller monuments and buildings. Our guide, David, estimated later that I walked about 10-12 miles. That evening we ate a delicious dinner at a fancy restaurant on the first level of the Eiffel Tower and then took an evening boat ride on the Seine. It was a beautiful evening and a lovely last night in Paris.

Monday, June 23
We got to the airport early, and it was a good thing because I got stopped and searched at every possible security check point. One airport employee who searched my bag at the beginning was also at a later check point and looked surprised to see me, "Madame! It's you again!" I asked if there was something wrong with my bag but he said they were all just random searches. The flight back was fine, and again I miraculously slept through most of it with help from ear plugs and a mask (even though it was the afternoon...).

So, all in all, it was an awesome trip.

Two little eyes to look to God
Two little ears to hear His Word
One little tongue to speak His truth
One little heart for Him in my youth.

Two little hands to work all my days
And two little feet to walk in His ways
Take them Lord Jesus and let them be,
Ever and only all for Thee.

You'll have to open the file with Real Player, but here's the song if you'd like to listen.
http://lavenderlark.googlepages.com/19TwoLittleEyes.m4a

Shine, shine, Golden Jerusalem
Shine for us all to see!
We'll come through your gates,
We walk in your streets,
We'll be as happy as happy can be,
As happy as happy can be!

City of sparkling colors,
City of heav'nly light
Your gates are pearl
Your streets are gold
Your radiant jems are bright!

Shine, shine, Golden Jerusalem
Shine for us all to see!
We'll come through your gates,
We walk in your streets
We'll be as happy as happy can be,
As happy as happy can be.

Set your music player (or ipod, or whatever) to shuffle, and then starting with the first song that comes on, put that song title as an answer to these questions. In order!! And make sure you write the one that comes up. That makes it funnier.


1.If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say?
The Maid of Culmore, Cara Dillon
a very sad Irish love song...

2.How would you describe yourself?
Bad Day, Daniel Powder
HAHAHA -- but the song is about getting over bad days, so that's awesome

3.What do you like in a guy?
Gabriel fram evene king sewnt (Gabriel sent from heaven's king)
It's an old medieval chanson in Old English and French....Okay, so I have pretty high standards.

4.How do you feel today?
Jerusalem, Libera
Oh I do LOOOOOOVVVVEEEEEE this song comparing England to the Holy Land. And did those feet in ancient time; Walk upon England's mountains green?

5.What is your life's purpose?
O Precious Sign
OH! That makes me happy. Behold one angel when its work is done.

6.What is your motto?
Brightly Wound, Eisley
YES! I hold sunlight and swallow fireflies; And it makes me want to cry...I love you...

7.What do your friends think of you?
Sweet Dreams are Made of This, Eurthymics
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I swear, I am not cheating. I didn't realize you all felt this way.

8.What do you think of your parents?
Twilight, Libera
One of my favorite songs of all time, Low at thy mercy's seat; Father thy children meet; Craving thy guidance sweet; Call to thee

9.What do you think about very often?
The Lonesome Scenes of Winter, Cara Dillon
Why yes, I do. I've drifted far I fear.

10.What is 2 + 2?
Trees, Fiona Joyce
Alright.

11.What do you think of your best friend?
How to Save a Life, The Fray
Very appropriate. And I would have stayed up with you all night; Had I known how to save a life.

12.What do you think of the person you like?
Down So Long, Jewel
I dunno...But I've been down so long; Oh, it can't be longer still; We've been down so long; That the end must be drawing near.

13.What is your life story?
The Battle, Gladiator Soundtrack
HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA. I think this is my favorite so far. This song doesn't have any words to quote, but it is totally my life: starts with strange humming, progresses through intense buzzing violins, crescendos into strong violins with drums and then just AWESOMENESS! Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8P5PhX9WxM

14.What do you want to be when you grow up?
Strathgarry, Simon Wynberg
This is one of the few songs that makes me cry every time I hear it. It represents the levels of heaven to me because it starts off with drums, then strings, then a flute/pipe/chimes, then all three blending together. Absolutely beautiful. I would love this to be me when I grow up. Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3Fpw5vfc5s

15.What do you think of when you see the person you like?
How Could I Ever Know, The Secret Garden
That's perfect! Sure as you breathe I am there inside you, how could I ever know?...How can I bear not to dream about you? How can I let you go?

16.What will you dance to at your wedding?
One Prairie Outpost, Carbon Leaf
The irony ask me, 'where have you been?' I don't know, I don't know; Because I don't know where to begin. Exactly...I don't know.

17.What will they play at your funeral?
Remember Me, Lara Fabian and Josh Groban, Troy Soundtrack
Wow! Don't actually want anything this dramatic played at my funeral, but it's a nice song. Remember when your dreams have ended, time can be transcended, just remember me...As long as I can reach out and touch you, then I will never die.

18.What is your hobby/interest?
Devonshire, Patrick Doyle, Sense and Sensibility Soundtrack
OH YES! This story and movie just about sum up all my hobbies and interests!

19.What is your biggest fear?
Destin, Celine Dion
HAHAHAHAHA, a French song about destiny and not finding love in the modern world... Tel est mon destin; Je vais mon chemin; Ainsi passent mes heures; Au rythme entetant des battements de mon coeur.

20.What is your biggest secret?
Teardrops on My Guitar, Taylor Swift
unrequited love...nuf said. Oh no, now you know about my guitar.

21.What do you think of your friends?
Tara, Moya Brennan
Irish folksong:
I'm waiting at the crossroads
Waiting for you
With the blossoms around us
Promising true
Dreaming on the high wind
Dream it for you
And return to our lost ocean blue

I want to believe forever
Sleep softly beside me
And I'll give you this heart
When morning dew falls down
Stood by the hill of Tara
Feel the love in the land

While studying for my Islam exam last week I stumbled upon a quote that I felt was worth recording and posting publicly. He sums up my opinion of politics quite well.

"An issue concerning human rights is the false assumption that sensitivity to human rights is a surrender to relativistic liberalism. Such an assumption is at once ignorant of the nature of liberalism and an insult to religion; it gives liberalism more credit than it deserves and religion less: liberalism is not the fount of all human rights, nor is religion their antithesis."

Abolkarim Soroush, Muslim philosopher and political reformer

You know, I've discovered I really like being around old people.  Waiting for the Alumni Association meeting to start at noon Annika said something about how strange it was that we were the only young people in the room.  There were a few middle-aged people present, but she was right, our generation was barely represented (understandably so since most people aren't alumni yet).  She felt out of place, but I realized I was right at home with a room of gray and white heads.

It's not that I try to get involved, but more that I have trouble declining group invitations so I end up being the only young person at many meetings and events.  While many people pick their social activities based on personal interests, I have to pick based on where I'm wanted.  And I've discovered the presence of younger people is desperately wanted by older people.  I don't feel that I really have a choice about whether I go to meetings or not -- it can be inconvenient and annoying, but it means so much to old people to see young faces.  It's hard to stay away when simply showing up makes such an impact.

But they make a strong impact on me too.  I love hearing their opinions on the church and college, especially because they have spent so much more time caring and thinking about their opinions.  And I've found that old people are the best at encouraging people to be themselves.  Sometimes they tease me for being too timid (one woman calls me "the mouse" because I do everything silently in the background) but mostly they have a way of being annoyed when they know you're just trying to please them.  They seem to care less about what my actual opinions are and much more about whether I understand what I support.  They're happier if I can explain how I disagree with something than if I nod at everything they say.  That's really rare in younger people.

I've been so impressed watching the older generations of Bryn Athyn bravely smiling and being supportive even though they are hurt and worried about the future of the church and college.  Some of them complain, others withdraw from the society, but there are a dedicated bunch who hold on even though they know they're often ignored.  They've willingly put all their eggs in one basket and handed it over to us.

So some of you may have heard that the preschool in Bryn Athyn is being expanded to include daycare.  The decision was made within the last few days by being voted on by the board, and a lot of people are angry that the society wasn't polled or even informed that the decision would take place.  I sent the following message out to an email group discussing the decision, but I thought I'd post it here in case anyone else was interested.

I am glad mothers who need to work want the best care available for their children. I'm glad New Church people have the desire and financial ability to help. Perhaps what we know about early childhood development can make a big impact on how children are cared for. What I'm not happy about is that such a big project, which many people feel strongly about, can be solidified without the society being involved. For most projects I'm perfectly happy to sit back and let people do their jobs making decisions, but I assume that both sides of a question are thoroughly and thoughtfully researched. Judging from the reactions I've heard there was some serious oversight researching opinions in Bryn Athyn.

I know very little about this situation, but it scares me to think that decisions in a society come down to money. There are many ways this could help the church, but down at the center it sounds like we're building a daycare because that's what a donor wants. It's just too big of an opportunity to pass up. If having a daycare supports our mission here on earth then that's wonderful. But does it actually fit with our purpose or are we finding ways to make it fit? I do not think a church society should choose any project that so many members dislike. I've heard intelligent, caring support for both sides of the argument and would have loved to see the community grow together by discussing the disagreement charitably. But to save time or trouble or whatever we never had that discussion.

Though New Church daycare would undoubtedly be in a loving, home-like environment, no daycare can recreate the atmosphere of a home. We know a lot about human development that would be useful in running a daycare, but we also have knowledge that strongly supports children being raised at home with their mothers. My fear is that a daycare will lessen or even weaken our focus on the family and home. The fact that staying home with children is quickly becoming a luxury scares me a lot. I trust that the Lord is guiding our society and leaders, but that doesn't mean we're infallible.

Today voters in Pennsylvania will dash to the polls to vote for who they would like to run for the presidency in the fall. Actually, probably only Democrats will go, since the Republicans have already chosen a candidate. All along I've been insisting that voting is necessary, that even if you don't stand a chance you should vote, but now I just have to admit to myself that today doesn't matter. I'm not going to bother. I'll be voting in the fall, but right now it's not worth my time to go to the polls knowing my vote won't actually count for anything. I can either vote for McCain, who has already won so he doesn't need my vote, or vote for someone who has no chance. The one reason I can think of that would make voting useful is that we can see how many Republicans are around compared to Democrats. Those are important statistics. But obviously if most Republicans are thinking like me they won't bother going.

Another reason to stay away from the polls today is that I always get pulled aside and invited to all sorts of Republican events. It has nothing to do with me, it has to do with my age. I'm often the only young (under 45) person in Bryn Athyn who attends Republican committee meetings. I am interested in hearing what older Bryn Athynites think about politics, especially since the young conservative crowd tends to be pretty united in its opinions, but I don't like all their future hopes resting on me. It makes me feel like I need to act more enthusiastic about politics than I really am. I do like politics, and think studying the government is important, but compared to other topics like history, religion, and education I think it's relatively simple.

Don't worry mother, it'll be alright
And don't worry sister, say your prayers and sleep right
It'll be fine lover of mine
It'll be just fine
Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom
No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from
Fill lives with love and bravery
And you shall lead a live uncommon

I've heard your anguish
I've heard your hearts cry out
We are tired, we are weary, but we aren't worn out
Set down you chains, 'til only faith remains
Set down you chains
And lend your voices only to sounds of freedom
No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from
Fill lives with love and bravery
And we shall lead a life uncommon

There are plenty of people who pray for peace
But if praying were enough it would have come to be
Let your words enslave no one and the heavens will hush themselves
To hear our voices ring out clear
with sounds of freedom
sounds of freedom
Come on you unbelievers, move out of the way
There is a new army coming and we are armed with faith

To live, we must give to live
And lend out voices only to sounds of freedom
No longer lend out strength to that which we wish to be free from
Fill your lives with love and bravery
And we shall lead...
And lend out voices only to sounds of freedom
No longer lend out strength to that which we wish to be free from
Fill lives with love and bravery
And we shall lead a life uncommon

Oh how I love the sun!

I didn't realize until yesterday how sun-deprived I've been through the winter.  Yesterday my skin craved the sun so I took a nap out in the glorious sunlight.  I thought my stiff neck or squinting eyes would urge me to go back inside, but instead I spent a whole lovely thirty minutes soaking in the sun.  Then I went for a walk with Miriam and Alison, with the understanding that we needed to pick a sunny route.  Today I sadly went to classes thinking I wouldn't see the sun until late, but luckily Coleman and Thane wanted to watch the workers moving trees so we ate lunch on the steps of Pendleton Hall.  After class I went running as an excuse to be outside, and it was worth it (except my shin is in bad shape).

Now I'm slightly sunburnt, but not painfully.  Hooray for spring!

"It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light.  Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it.  I confess, my dear fellow, that I am very much in your debt."

--Sherlock Holmes to John Watson, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Which "Lost" character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Jack Hey there, Jack! You are a top notch doctor who can solve anything. Although you get overwhelmed with everyones problems you still solve them without a second thought. Everyone loves you! Kate 63% Jack 63% Sun 56% Boone 50% Michael 44% Shannon 38% Locke 31% Claire 31% Sayid 25% Sawyer 19% Charlie 6%

Evil exists, I have no doubt about that.  We are all evil in various ways, and always will be unless we reject our love of self in order to love others and the Lord.  Evil is not weak.  Evil is sneaky, slimy, smoldering, and cruel.  Evil never gives up either, since giving up would mean ceasing to dominate people.

What I mean when I question discussions on the evilness of something or someone is simply that I have trouble discussing evil lightly.  To me being evil means actively and intentionally fighting the Lord.   A person can confirm false ideas in their lives and live by them, but unless they love and have hurting others in their will then they are not evil, they are in falsity.  To me the distinction is incredibly important.  I think we're the only religion that has knowledge about degrees and types of evil, so to me it's a shame we blanket things over with "evil" when we could give things more appropriate labels.  For example, the last third of the book Conjugial Love makes important distinctions about types of scortatory love.  The distinctions are there to help people recognize evil and shun it.  If we didn't have these descriptions then people would either continue to live in sin without knowing it, or be consumed with self-loathing and guilt.  We have to acknowledge our evils and yes, the journey is painful with plenty of guilt, but the Lord wants us to repent, move on, and live better lives -- not relive the evil constantly in our minds.  All evil is from hell, just as all good is from the Lord.

Anyone who has taken a course with Soni Werner knows that she does not tolerate students using the word "crazy" in her classroom.  Most of us use the word crazy daily to mean strange, unexpected, odd, or even impressive.  To her the word crazy is offensive, since it was originally used as a general term for anyone with a mental illness, independent way of thinking, or confusion.  She encourages students to use more specific words to describe people and situations.  I think I have a similar view on the word "evil."  I don't mind it being used, and used often if necessary, but carefully.

Listen to these two songs back to back. Those of you in the "Lost Club" haven't heard the second song yet, but I promise listening will not reveal anything the plot or characters. Do they sound similar to you?

Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Cass, 1969



Downtown by Petula Clark, 1964



Readers: If you respond to this post, PLEASE DO NOT REVEAL OR EVEN HINT AT ANY PLOT PIECES PAST THE FIRST SEASON. There are people reading my journal who do not want anything spoiled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCyTVhNLHLI

As much as a Victorian, British, fifty-something, drug-addicted detective could be a role model to a 21st century, female, Anglo-American college student...Sherlock Holmes is a role model to me. Not a role model in the sense that I want to be him, but that I greatly admire his sense of justice, ruthless fight against crime, and love of the goodness in humanity. He has many faults, but he is almost what I consider an ideal man. Be worried for my sanity or laugh all you want, but that's the truth. Read on to see why.

Holmes is often described as cold, calculating, austere, cruel, and humorless. He has a reputation for dismissing feelings and seeing only logical patterns. I understand how people get this idea, but when I hear this opinion stated I suspect people have only read one or two Holmes stories or are just following the general interpretation of what society thinks of him. Conan Doyle wrote almost 60 short stories about Holmes, published in 5 collections, plus 2 novels. See the list at http://www.sherlockian.net/canon/index.html. Few people I know have read every piece, and though I have I often forget the unique plot of each one.

Holmes is actually incredibly passionate about his work, loves practical jokes, avidly supports the arts, indulges in many intriguing hobbies and physical comforts, and embraces the beauty of the world around him -- often contrasting it to the dark life of crime he works against. Watson (Holmes' biographer and friend) loves to describe the child-like excitement present with Holmes when he begins to put pieces of a puzzle together.

Holmes' primary motivation for sleuthing is to solve puzzles, but the puzzles worth solving to him are those dealing with the complexity of the human mind. And though intrigue is what first draws his attention, Holmes decides what mysteries to work on depending on which people most need his help, and yes, morality. He will not sell his services to a dishonest person, and he often takes up cases for poorer or ignorant people without being paid. His sense of morality is often cause for ridicule by other characters, but Holmes refuses to follow any guidance but his conscience and admits when he is uncertain what the law requires. In the Blue Carbuncle he tells Watson, "I suppose that I am committing a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong again. He is too terribly frightened. Send him to jail now, and you make him a gaolbird for life. Besides, it is the season of forgiveness." In The Devil's Foot he states, "I have never loved, Watson, but if I did and if the woman I loved had met such an end, I might act as our lawless lion-hunter had done." However, Holmes never allows a crime to go unpunished if he suspects it can be repeated. He absolutely despises those who prey on weaker people, and often initiates his own investigations when he feels something is wrong. His acute perception of character and motivations helps him see which people are repentant and which are criminals. A cold, distant detective would never be able to perceive those traits.

Holmes is proud of what he does, but he is aware of his pride and doesn't resort to using his name or reputation unless it will help someone else. Often he acts clumsy or slow on purpose to find out more information -- next to making sure the criminals are caught he doesn't care much about what people think of him. Most of his cases he turns over to Scotland Yard when they're solved so that the detectives get the credit. After a group bullies his client Holmes reveals, "'That hurts my pride, Watson,' he said at last. 'It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal matter with me now, and, if God send me health, I shall set my hand upon this gang'" (The Five Orange Pips).

By contrasting Holmes to two other characters with brilliant minds, Sir Conan Doyle makes it clear that Holmes is not just a brain. Holmes' elder brother Mycroft is actually Sherlock's superior in terms of sheer brain power, but Mycroft lacks energy and motivation. The obvious comparison is that though Mycroft has extreme talent, without putting it to use he cannot aid society to the same degree as his brother. The other contrast is Holmes' adversary Professor Moriarty. Moriarty is a brilliant mathematician and lord of the criminal underworld. In many ways Moriarty is more powerful than Holmes because he doesn't mind using people for his own ends. Holmes often reflects on how glad he is to have a conscience -- otherwise he would be certain to be like Moriarty.

Holmes certainly isn't perfect: he's addicted to tobacco and heroine, extremely messy, can be cruel without noticing, and often neglects his own health (which, as a doctor, Watson constantly complains about). But to me these faults prove him to be human and don't come close to discrediting the integrity of his character.