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Article THE SO-CALLED LOCKE MS. ← Page 4 of 4 Article AN OPENING ODE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The So-Called Locke Ms.
Since I wrote the above I have had a communication with the authorities of the Bodleian Library , Oxford . By their courtesy I am enabled to say distinctly that the MS is not among the Tanner MSS ., nor is anything known of it in the Bodleian , nor is anything known either of the Mr . C ns ( Collins ) mentioned in Mr . Locke ' s alleged letter . Unless we could suppose that Mr . C— - —ns has some other name , or calling , or the MS . is in one of the college libraries , the whole affair assumes the appearance ( as
may truly be feared ) of deliberate imposture . If Mr . Collins ivas a book-collector or dealer in MSS ., he had nothing to do with the Bodleian Library . Evidentially , in my opinion , we must give up . this so-called MS ., and it is hardly worth while dealing ivith the internal evidence , as that , in my opinion , is even weaker than the external . So here I leave the matter to-day , regretting that anyone can ever suppose Ereemasonry is aided by the " pious fraud , " or the prepared document , the
fictitious " charter , " or the unveritable letter , and utterly disavowing , as a Masonic student , those literary forgeries ivhich are a scandal to their authors , as they are a lasting stigma on Ereemasonry . I may perhaps be told that Bro . Dr . Oliver pronounced in its favour ; but then , as I before remarked , I fear that in this more critical age we must give up the good Doctor's deliverance ivhich is based on no evidence . It is simplthe ipse dixit of an
y enthusiastical but too careless writer . At least , the " wish " with him was " father to the thought , " and he did not use his verifying acumen , nor his " criticalspectacles . " Why Bro . Eort adheres to the document I know not ; but it is quite clear to me that the evidence since Oliver ' s time has accumulated against it rather than for it . And so in all humility and earnestness I say to-day , " Cadit Qurostio !"
An Opening Ode.
AN OPENING ODE .
IN our Great Grand Master ' s presence We , His servants , now appear , In the spirit of a fealty That ignoreth slavish fear !
Love , and Love alone , constrains us , To accept him as our King ; May His grace for ever keep us 'Neath the shelter of His wing- '
Then we'll have a heart to praise Him , E ' en when tempted here below ; But far better still up yonder Where temptations never go !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The So-Called Locke Ms.
Since I wrote the above I have had a communication with the authorities of the Bodleian Library , Oxford . By their courtesy I am enabled to say distinctly that the MS is not among the Tanner MSS ., nor is anything known of it in the Bodleian , nor is anything known either of the Mr . C ns ( Collins ) mentioned in Mr . Locke ' s alleged letter . Unless we could suppose that Mr . C— - —ns has some other name , or calling , or the MS . is in one of the college libraries , the whole affair assumes the appearance ( as
may truly be feared ) of deliberate imposture . If Mr . Collins ivas a book-collector or dealer in MSS ., he had nothing to do with the Bodleian Library . Evidentially , in my opinion , we must give up . this so-called MS ., and it is hardly worth while dealing ivith the internal evidence , as that , in my opinion , is even weaker than the external . So here I leave the matter to-day , regretting that anyone can ever suppose Ereemasonry is aided by the " pious fraud , " or the prepared document , the
fictitious " charter , " or the unveritable letter , and utterly disavowing , as a Masonic student , those literary forgeries ivhich are a scandal to their authors , as they are a lasting stigma on Ereemasonry . I may perhaps be told that Bro . Dr . Oliver pronounced in its favour ; but then , as I before remarked , I fear that in this more critical age we must give up the good Doctor's deliverance ivhich is based on no evidence . It is simplthe ipse dixit of an
y enthusiastical but too careless writer . At least , the " wish " with him was " father to the thought , " and he did not use his verifying acumen , nor his " criticalspectacles . " Why Bro . Eort adheres to the document I know not ; but it is quite clear to me that the evidence since Oliver ' s time has accumulated against it rather than for it . And so in all humility and earnestness I say to-day , " Cadit Qurostio !"
An Opening Ode.
AN OPENING ODE .
IN our Great Grand Master ' s presence We , His servants , now appear , In the spirit of a fealty That ignoreth slavish fear !
Love , and Love alone , constrains us , To accept him as our King ; May His grace for ever keep us 'Neath the shelter of His wing- '
Then we'll have a heart to praise Him , E ' en when tempted here below ; But far better still up yonder Where temptations never go !