Mr. Lord has been an active worker in the temperance cause during more than 70 years; a member of the Liberation Society since its formation; a warm advocate of the Peace Society, of the United Kingdom Alliance; the
inaugural meeting of which he attended at Manchester. He was one of the founders of the Congregational Total Abstinence Association; and has always been a warm supporter of the London Missionary Society.
Mr. Lord still preaches occasionally in Horncastle. He has officiated more than once recently in the Lincoln Mission Hall, and not unfrequently occupies the pulpit at the Presbyterian Chapel, Kirkstead, to assist the local minister, Rev. Robert Holden, who is his junior by some 16 years. On Sunday, May 31, 1908, Mr. Lord preached at Alford, in the Congregational Chapel; and on Sunday, June 7, 1908, at Boston, in the Chapel of the United Methodists.
Notwithstanding his age Mr. Lord’s voice is still clear, deep-toned, and resonant; his manner is full of vigor, his language simple, yet eloquent and earnest. His step is firm and elastic. In habit he is an early riser.
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Having dealt with the places of worship in the town, we now proceed to give an account of its schools; and among these the Grammar School, from its antiquity, as well as for other reasons, claims precedence.
This Institution, on its present foundation, dates from the reign of Elizabeth, [91] one of whose special characteristics was her warm interest in education, which led her to encourage her nobles, and more wealthy subjects, to promote the cause. The Reformation had given an impetus towards emancipation from the ignorance which prevailed in Popish times, when the monasteries were almost the only centres of enlightenment—if so it could be called.
Henry VIII. did little or nothing towards relighting the torch, which had been held up by the monks, whom he abolished. His successor, Edward VI., founded a few grammar schools; among them being, in our own neighbourhood, those at Spilsby, Louth, and Grantham. During the brief reign of the Popish Mary, the movement was again checked; but Elizabeth, herself a cultivated scholar, rekindled the general interest in educational progress.
The title deeds of the school are unfortunately lost, which would have shewn to what extent it was then endowed, but documents exist belonging to the school, which prove the conveyance of certain lands, by John Neale of Horncastle, in the 17th year of Elizabeth (A.D. 1575); he being one of the first 10 Governors appointed in accordance with the rules of the foundation.