The Language of the Ritual by W.Bro. R.D.T. Sillet

The following Sussex Lodges will each host a 2008 Prestonian Lecture:

Friday 18th January at 5.15pm - Regency Lodge No. 6349 - Sussex Masonic Centre, Brighton.

Tuesday 22nd January at 5.30pm - Causeway Lodge No. 7588 - The Normandy Centre, Horsham.

Click on the above links for further information.

Booklets of the Lecture will be on sale at £5 each. All profits will be donated to The Downs Syndrome Educational Trust. Donations for the raffle would be appreciated.

Our Masonic ritual is over 200 years old and the lecture attempts to focus on the words, phraseology used and their derivation. It includes brief sections which highlight the main features, in terms of a recapitulation of the following areas:

• The Origin of Freemasonry
• The Origin of the English Language
• The English Language in the 18th and 19th Centuries
• The Origins of the Ritual
• The Language of the Ritual
• Do we need to modernise our Ritual?
  

What Is The Prestonian Lecture?

The Prestonian Lecture is named after William Preston (b. 1742), a dedicated Freemason whose largest contribution to Freemasonry was his work to improve the system of Masonic Lectures by undertaking a major study of Freemasonry, its origin and its teachings. He begun modernising the format of group meetings in such a way as to make ritual accessible, bringing a rudimentary knowledge of the arts and sciences to members of the Fraternity. Preston embarked upon detailed communication with Masons worldwide, so developing extensive knowledge of the Craft, and collecting the material which was to become his best known book, Illustrations of Masonry published in 1772. On his death in 1818, he bequeathed the substantial sum of £300 to Grand Lodge for the perpetuation of his Lectures. In accordance with his wish, the Lectures were delivered from 1820 until 1862 when they became dormant until revived by Grand Lodge in 1924. With the exception of 1940–1946, the Lectures have been delivered every year since to the present day.

The formal appointment of Prestonian Lecturer is made annually by the United Grand Lodge of England. For 2008, the honour belongs to W.Bro. R.D.T. Sillet, Past Junior Grand Deacon and Sussex Freemason.

The Prestonian Lecture is the only official Lecture sanctioned by the United Grand Lodge of England. Three official deliveries of this Lecture are given during the year at lodges selected by the Board of General Purposes; the topic of the lecture is chosen by the individual, and the Lecture itself should educate and entertain a general lodge audience.