Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

Vincil's Report, 1884

Vincil's Report, 1884.

Justly, we think, Right Worshipful and Rev. John D. Vincil, of Missouri, may be classed as one of the ablest, most vigorous, most positive, and most zealous of the reporters on Masonic correspondence. Sometimes he errs in his judgment of what is Masonic, but ever firmly upholds what he believe is right. His report for 1884, to the Grand Lodge, fills two hundred and six pages; and, in his opinion, is not the best he has prepared. He expresses disappointment with it. We do not view it as he does. He hopes to be comforted with the verdict, "It might have been worse." We think it could not easily be improved in thought or in sentiment, and have it remain Vincilian. of course it is not Drummondian, Parvinian, Piersonian, Innesian, Singletonian, nor Wheelerian, and not best from those standpoints, nor by those standards is it to be judged." * * *

* * *

"A Man in Rome.—Alluding to an oration of a certain Grand Orator, Bro. Vincil says: 'The chief staple of the brief address was an answer to a man who lives "in Rome, and who does as Rome does." The aforesaid man is said to dislike Freemasonry. Very likely. There are many others of the same class elsewhere. We see no reason for alarm or making ourselves unhappy because of such dislike. We have not heard of the death of any lodges or downfall of the Institution of Freemasonry since the man of Rome has been delivered of his Bull. Nor do we expect any increase of the integrity and stability of Freemasonry in consequence of any defence made by Grand Orators. We could not listen, with patience, to a dissertation upon the statement that "the sun shines."' Free-masonry is a grand institution and very solid, but its light and beneficence are not as apparent as the sun at 'meridian height.' Many people are wrongly prejudiced against it, among them Leo, Pope XIII., but not all are so intelligent as he. Some need light, others more light, and what are Grand Orators for if not to impart it? We remember well the first time we ever saw Bro. Vincil was while he was out on an oratorical expedition. What he said then was not knew to some of his hearers; but to others it was an intellectual feast. So the orator whom Bro. Vincil criticises gave needed intellectual food to most of his hearers. We read the oration with real interest, and naught but the lack of space for it prevented us from reprinting it."

* * *

As we said before, nothing comes amiss to the Masonic reportist. Here is a choice bit of theological dogma discussed with true American vivacty. What would be said of one of our District Grand Secretaries who should attempt to entertain his Lodge in similar manner?