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Article THE IASOIIC IIREOE ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Iasoiic Iireoe
information wherever he thought it would be found , assisted by zealous and intelligent Brethren , and sparing no pains to collect all that was remembered of the ancient forms of illustration and explanation . He died in the belief that he had left behind him a complete and orthodox formulary . To preserve it from oblivion he , by his will , devoted a portion of his moderate means to the establishment of an
annual lecture , to be delivered according to the system which he had so carefully elaborated . Among his survivors in the Lodge of Antiquity were several who had either assisted him in his valuable labours or profited by his personal instruction . To one of these , Bro . Stephen Jones , a Past Master of the Lodge , and an early editor of Bro . Preston ' s book , the office of u Prestonian Lecturer" was first entrusted by his royal highness the Bake of Sussex , then Grand Master and Master
of the Lodge of Antiquity . Bro . Jones was annually re-appointed to this office for several years , and subsequently Bro . Laurence Thompson , the last surviving pupil of Preston , and well known to the older members of the London fraternity as an ardent Mason , was nominated , and continuously until his death delivered the lecture once in each year . In order to discharge suitably the honourable duty devolving on the Prestonian Lecturer , great care has always been taken to observe not only the
arrangement , but the very words so far as they can be ascertained . The arrangement is preserved in the " Syllabus , " long since printed by the Lodge of Antiquity , and hitherto followed in the lecture . That Syllabus is adapted to . the method of question and answer , but the lecture is delivered uninterrupted by interrogations ^ the prescribed answers being turned into a continuous discourse . The words are
taken from notes collected a quarter of a century ago , from the mouths of Bro . Meyrick the first Grand Registrar of the United Grand Lodge , Bro . Burckhardt , whom senior Brethren remember for Masonic learning , and Bro . Laurence Thompson , all . members of the Lodge of Antiquity , who derived their knowledge from Preston himself . "Verbal differences from other systems now practised are obvious , but not such as to derogate from substantial uniformity or to suggest any doubt of
their common origin . Whatever opinions may be formed as to the relative merits of other systems , it must be remembered that the lecture now to be delivered is restricted , by the nature of its foundation , to the very system which Preston has transmitted to us . Its simplicity and occasional qwaintness are due to its antiquity , and there is every reason to believe that it preserves , as nearly as may be , the language in which the early fathers of the Craft in England were wont to give and
receive Masonic instruction . Skilful Masons will detect some differences in ritual , from the forms now practised , this lecture having been compiled long before the existence of that Lodge of Reconciliation which , in 1813 , regulated the uniformity of working . Some parts of the lecture are incorporated in " Preston ' s Illustrations of Masonry , " and are usually read from that volume . In all respects , the method practised in the Lodge of Antiquity ever since the foundation of the lecture , is
followed , as affording the surest warrant of adherence to the will of the founder . That will leaves the arrangements as to the delivery of the lecture , to the discretion of the Grand Master for the time being . The course hitherto pursued has been , to appoint ihe lecture to be delivered each year in some Lodge chbsen for the purpose , thus interesting a Lodge and its visitors in the due working of the lecture
on each occasion , and affording the means , hy choosing various Lodges in succession , of spreading a knowledge of the " Prestonian " method through the Craft . The lecture , if regularly delivered at a public Masonic meeting , would probably subside into a more form . At first , curiosity might bring a fair attendance to the meetings , but it would soon bo found that the subject is dry , and interesting only to diligent Students of Masonry , who arc not numerous , and who are often and naturally so
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Iasoiic Iireoe
information wherever he thought it would be found , assisted by zealous and intelligent Brethren , and sparing no pains to collect all that was remembered of the ancient forms of illustration and explanation . He died in the belief that he had left behind him a complete and orthodox formulary . To preserve it from oblivion he , by his will , devoted a portion of his moderate means to the establishment of an
annual lecture , to be delivered according to the system which he had so carefully elaborated . Among his survivors in the Lodge of Antiquity were several who had either assisted him in his valuable labours or profited by his personal instruction . To one of these , Bro . Stephen Jones , a Past Master of the Lodge , and an early editor of Bro . Preston ' s book , the office of u Prestonian Lecturer" was first entrusted by his royal highness the Bake of Sussex , then Grand Master and Master
of the Lodge of Antiquity . Bro . Jones was annually re-appointed to this office for several years , and subsequently Bro . Laurence Thompson , the last surviving pupil of Preston , and well known to the older members of the London fraternity as an ardent Mason , was nominated , and continuously until his death delivered the lecture once in each year . In order to discharge suitably the honourable duty devolving on the Prestonian Lecturer , great care has always been taken to observe not only the
arrangement , but the very words so far as they can be ascertained . The arrangement is preserved in the " Syllabus , " long since printed by the Lodge of Antiquity , and hitherto followed in the lecture . That Syllabus is adapted to . the method of question and answer , but the lecture is delivered uninterrupted by interrogations ^ the prescribed answers being turned into a continuous discourse . The words are
taken from notes collected a quarter of a century ago , from the mouths of Bro . Meyrick the first Grand Registrar of the United Grand Lodge , Bro . Burckhardt , whom senior Brethren remember for Masonic learning , and Bro . Laurence Thompson , all . members of the Lodge of Antiquity , who derived their knowledge from Preston himself . "Verbal differences from other systems now practised are obvious , but not such as to derogate from substantial uniformity or to suggest any doubt of
their common origin . Whatever opinions may be formed as to the relative merits of other systems , it must be remembered that the lecture now to be delivered is restricted , by the nature of its foundation , to the very system which Preston has transmitted to us . Its simplicity and occasional qwaintness are due to its antiquity , and there is every reason to believe that it preserves , as nearly as may be , the language in which the early fathers of the Craft in England were wont to give and
receive Masonic instruction . Skilful Masons will detect some differences in ritual , from the forms now practised , this lecture having been compiled long before the existence of that Lodge of Reconciliation which , in 1813 , regulated the uniformity of working . Some parts of the lecture are incorporated in " Preston ' s Illustrations of Masonry , " and are usually read from that volume . In all respects , the method practised in the Lodge of Antiquity ever since the foundation of the lecture , is
followed , as affording the surest warrant of adherence to the will of the founder . That will leaves the arrangements as to the delivery of the lecture , to the discretion of the Grand Master for the time being . The course hitherto pursued has been , to appoint ihe lecture to be delivered each year in some Lodge chbsen for the purpose , thus interesting a Lodge and its visitors in the due working of the lecture
on each occasion , and affording the means , hy choosing various Lodges in succession , of spreading a knowledge of the " Prestonian " method through the Craft . The lecture , if regularly delivered at a public Masonic meeting , would probably subside into a more form . At first , curiosity might bring a fair attendance to the meetings , but it would soon bo found that the subject is dry , and interesting only to diligent Students of Masonry , who arc not numerous , and who are often and naturally so