Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/62

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DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN

his belief that Freemasonry is closely associated with religion, and founded upon it; although, of course, he views its main object as not so much doctrinal, as social and philanthropic. So much is he impressed with the religious side, that he deems it to be a good thing for clergymen to become members of the craft, inasmuch as it might help them to know laymen more intimately. To put it concisely, the Archdeacon stands firm to the conviction that there is much by way of brotherliness and sociality in Masonry which Church congregations might emulate. He is also Chaplain to the 21st Middlesex Volunteers (the Finsbury Rifles), and joins their camp at the annual autumn training.

And then, again, in London, Archdeacon Sinclair does not forget his duties as a member of one of the leading Highland families. For instance, he is President of the London Caithness Association, as well as being Chaplain to the Royal Scottish Corporation, the Caledonian Asylum, and the Highland Society. In other respects, he keeps himself well in touch with Scotch sympathies, and never fails to spend the autumn holidays in Scotland and the Highlands.

And, for all his busy life, the subject of this sketch is what may be termed a prolific writer. His first book, The Psalms in the Original Rhythm, must have been published in those early days when he was Chaplain to Bishop Jackson, and this he followed up with a Commentary on