Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. John Lee Stevens , P.M., P. G. S., &C.
what was technically understood " lance-corporal " to his chief or leader ; and , side by side with him , has sustained the shock of many an assailant , and warded off the missives as they threatened to annoy . His range in debate is not confined , being at all times ready . He has often most dexterously changed the warfare of argument , and drawn his opponents into a species of Parthian opposition , whereby , while seeming to avoid , he has poured in their very face the severity of his sarcasm ; and , under the infliction of his power , opposition has quailed , and then
ceased . He is , in fact , generally unanswerable . Bro . Stevens is a logician , clear-sighted , and strong-minded—somewhat didactic , however , but never wanting in penetration ; possesses considerable power of oratory , and can dissect his subject with anatomical precision . His voice , if not musical , is not harsh ; yet , being somewhat brusque in his manner , he does not win attention but by the conviction that his opinion
is telling . His memorable address to the Duke of Sussex when he nominated a Grand Master in opposition to His Royal Highness , was onl y equalled by the sturdy and stalwart declaration of his rights which had been invaded by a mean and contemptible proceeding at masonic (!) law , and neither of these memorable " efforts will readily be forgotten by those who heard them .
Bro . Stevens is of middle stature , well formed ; has probably seen fifty summers—grey hairs would dispose us to write winters ; the very hairs , however , indicate the moral power—steteruntque comce—they rise firmly , and give the head and face full developement of the vigour and determination of the man . Whether Combe or Lavater prevail , is a question for the disciples of either to sustain . Athletic as is the mind
of Bro . Stevens , he can enjoy the holiday of the heart , and woo the poetic muse . Besides his volume of Lyrics , he has written many fugitive pieces of great merit . The lines prefixed to this sketch are from the volume alluded to ; and the following extract from stanzas addressed to his father , are only selected for their application to our subject : —
" 'Twas you who taught me how to scan The real worth of fellow-man . And soar above each servile plan Of knavery , And keep my soul beyond the ban Of slavery . " His station is below the dais , which he confronts with the
consciousness of superiority , well knowing that , in his department of debate , he has no opponent—unless , indeed , that on the counting of hands , he is pre-assured that Freemasonry on the dais is a question of posse , not of esse . VELASQUEZ .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. John Lee Stevens , P.M., P. G. S., &C.
what was technically understood " lance-corporal " to his chief or leader ; and , side by side with him , has sustained the shock of many an assailant , and warded off the missives as they threatened to annoy . His range in debate is not confined , being at all times ready . He has often most dexterously changed the warfare of argument , and drawn his opponents into a species of Parthian opposition , whereby , while seeming to avoid , he has poured in their very face the severity of his sarcasm ; and , under the infliction of his power , opposition has quailed , and then
ceased . He is , in fact , generally unanswerable . Bro . Stevens is a logician , clear-sighted , and strong-minded—somewhat didactic , however , but never wanting in penetration ; possesses considerable power of oratory , and can dissect his subject with anatomical precision . His voice , if not musical , is not harsh ; yet , being somewhat brusque in his manner , he does not win attention but by the conviction that his opinion
is telling . His memorable address to the Duke of Sussex when he nominated a Grand Master in opposition to His Royal Highness , was onl y equalled by the sturdy and stalwart declaration of his rights which had been invaded by a mean and contemptible proceeding at masonic (!) law , and neither of these memorable " efforts will readily be forgotten by those who heard them .
Bro . Stevens is of middle stature , well formed ; has probably seen fifty summers—grey hairs would dispose us to write winters ; the very hairs , however , indicate the moral power—steteruntque comce—they rise firmly , and give the head and face full developement of the vigour and determination of the man . Whether Combe or Lavater prevail , is a question for the disciples of either to sustain . Athletic as is the mind
of Bro . Stevens , he can enjoy the holiday of the heart , and woo the poetic muse . Besides his volume of Lyrics , he has written many fugitive pieces of great merit . The lines prefixed to this sketch are from the volume alluded to ; and the following extract from stanzas addressed to his father , are only selected for their application to our subject : —
" 'Twas you who taught me how to scan The real worth of fellow-man . And soar above each servile plan Of knavery , And keep my soul beyond the ban Of slavery . " His station is below the dais , which he confronts with the
consciousness of superiority , well knowing that , in his department of debate , he has no opponent—unless , indeed , that on the counting of hands , he is pre-assured that Freemasonry on the dais is a question of posse , not of esse . VELASQUEZ .