A Sabbath Soliloquy

Abstract

"I see that I last wrote an article for the Fraternal in 1953, so that I can hardly accused of wearying my brethren. Perhaps, however, the fact that I am writing another one now may show how insidiously a habit sets in. If I were to write another one in 1990 it would have me in its grip. Nevertheless, the temptation has been great. The editor has offered me a blank cheque- a metaphorical one- by inviting me to write on 'any subject of your choice: This invitation happened to co-incide with a time when I did actually have a thought in my head. Such a rare confluence of constellations has spawned this article. The idea came into my head through attending the autumn assembly of the Oxfordshire and East Gloucestershire Association, not an occasion when one would normally expect to be troubled by thoughts in the head. Under the genial presidency of Brian Butcher, however, and with an address from Frank Cooke which contained stimulus roughly equivalent to a pound of refined heroin, thoughts flew in all directions. Frank was my minister for a number of years and the experience has left its mark on him. Adversity of any kind deepens and ennobles a man. Still reeling from the address, although caffeine was thoughtfully"