-
Articles/Ads
Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
GO ^ M ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sin . and Brother , —When I , as a young Mason , saw in your advertising columns that the Craft were invited to be present at the QraM Steward's Lodge , to hear the Prestonian Lecture , I naturally thought , from the eminence of the Lodge , the lecturer [ being ] specially appointed by the M . W ^ interest attached to the faihe of our late Bro . Preston , that all humble ^ yet ardent , inquirers after Masonic knowledge who chose to attend , would have the rare opportunity afforded them of
[ The Editob does not hold himself ' responsible for any opinions entertained hy Oormsp
THE PRESTONIAN LECTURE
" drinking deep draughts of inspiration " from one of the well-springs of the Order . Need I add hoW grievously I was disappointed at a performance which in my opinion fell short of mediocrity .
From the lecturer ' s introduction I gathered it was incrimbent on him to adhere closely to the original words of his author , and that a mass of authorities were placed at his disposal for the purpose of enabling him to illustrate the meaning of the text . Such being the facts , what was the result ? For want of digesting the material , searching out the bearing of
the notes , and , above all , rehearsing the matter , mid manner , in the presence of one or two critical Craftsmen , we witnessed an exhibition far removed from the aim and importance of the subject . Willingly admitting that to be Prestonian Lecturer is almost honourable distinction , and that few men have the moral courage to decline such an honour , when gracefully conferred upon them , whether they may he equal or not to the task of arranging facts , drawing deductions , or elucidating the meaning of a large body of writers with whose works they have no previous acquaintance ; and allowing it is not an easy task for a man to start up and address an audience on a given topic , I am free to confess that I believe the Worshipful Brother in question did Ms best , and for
these reasons I do not impute it to him as a fault that he failed , but rather that , dazzled by the honourable nature of the office , he , in common with all frail humanity , could not resist the charm of being recorded as the Prestonian Lecturer for 1858 . Without intending any offence to those in authority , I venture , with all clue respect and submission , to offer a few suggestions as to the future appointments of Prestonian Lecturer . In a society like ours it must be admitted that there are numbers of members of more than ordinary
literary attainments , to whom the honours of the Craft would be a stimulus to increased exertion , and a labour of love . Such a one , for instance , as the Rev . Bro . Dr . Oliver ; although in much that he has written I feel no interest , yet as he is a man of mark amongst Masons he is the most ready 3 e 2 ^
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
GO ^ M ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sin . and Brother , —When I , as a young Mason , saw in your advertising columns that the Craft were invited to be present at the QraM Steward's Lodge , to hear the Prestonian Lecture , I naturally thought , from the eminence of the Lodge , the lecturer [ being ] specially appointed by the M . W ^ interest attached to the faihe of our late Bro . Preston , that all humble ^ yet ardent , inquirers after Masonic knowledge who chose to attend , would have the rare opportunity afforded them of
[ The Editob does not hold himself ' responsible for any opinions entertained hy Oormsp
THE PRESTONIAN LECTURE
" drinking deep draughts of inspiration " from one of the well-springs of the Order . Need I add hoW grievously I was disappointed at a performance which in my opinion fell short of mediocrity .
From the lecturer ' s introduction I gathered it was incrimbent on him to adhere closely to the original words of his author , and that a mass of authorities were placed at his disposal for the purpose of enabling him to illustrate the meaning of the text . Such being the facts , what was the result ? For want of digesting the material , searching out the bearing of
the notes , and , above all , rehearsing the matter , mid manner , in the presence of one or two critical Craftsmen , we witnessed an exhibition far removed from the aim and importance of the subject . Willingly admitting that to be Prestonian Lecturer is almost honourable distinction , and that few men have the moral courage to decline such an honour , when gracefully conferred upon them , whether they may he equal or not to the task of arranging facts , drawing deductions , or elucidating the meaning of a large body of writers with whose works they have no previous acquaintance ; and allowing it is not an easy task for a man to start up and address an audience on a given topic , I am free to confess that I believe the Worshipful Brother in question did Ms best , and for
these reasons I do not impute it to him as a fault that he failed , but rather that , dazzled by the honourable nature of the office , he , in common with all frail humanity , could not resist the charm of being recorded as the Prestonian Lecturer for 1858 . Without intending any offence to those in authority , I venture , with all clue respect and submission , to offer a few suggestions as to the future appointments of Prestonian Lecturer . In a society like ours it must be admitted that there are numbers of members of more than ordinary
literary attainments , to whom the honours of the Craft would be a stimulus to increased exertion , and a labour of love . Such a one , for instance , as the Rev . Bro . Dr . Oliver ; although in much that he has written I feel no interest , yet as he is a man of mark amongst Masons he is the most ready 3 e 2 ^