The life of Sir J. J. Thomson, O. M. : sometime master of Trinity College Cambridge / by Lord Rayleigh.

  • Rayleigh, John William Strutt, Baron, 1842-1919
Date:
1932
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The life of Sir J. J. Thomson, O. M. : sometime master of Trinity College Cambridge / by Lord Rayleigh. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Administration. [Here the notes break off. The speech concluded with the words] God bless you all. It seemed to those present that it came somewhat as a revelation to J.J. on this occasion how warm were the feelings of the Fellows generally towards him. It was most fortunate that he was able to take part in this function while he was still his old self. The speeches were good and it was a successful evening. However, the shadows were now visibly lengthening and this seems to be an appropriate place in which to collect what little there is on record about J.J.’s private religious views and devo¬ tions. He was, in general, reserved about this like most of his fellow-countrymen, though he made it clear that he respected the sincere views of others even in such unpopular directions as conscientious objection to military service. On the other hand he made no secret of his dislike of Anglo-catholicism—though not necessarily of Anglo-catholics personally. On the more funda¬ mental questions he did not often expand, even to his family; but he did say on one occasion that he regarded Christ’s death as the outcome of His mission to save the world by bringing to it an ideal of unselfishness and aspiration to heavenly things. The sacrifice of His own life resulted. At the end of a discussion about the modern Christian teaching with a young Fellow of Trinity who had gone as a missionary to India, he said that he had great sympathy with Pontius Pilate, and his question, What is truth? The following correspondence with Canon Edward Lyttelton* throws some light on his religious attitude. Canon Lyttelton wrote from Overstrand, near Cromer, March 15th, 1934. When we had a talk at the Pepys dinner at Magdalene you did me an honour by asking some questions about the High Church teaching and position and the warrant alleged for it in the teaching of Christ. I felt at the time dissatisfied with the answer I tried to give; and that it was not fitting that you should be fobbed off with anything but the best that I could give. So I thought you wouldn’t mind if I set down on paper a few thoughts which have come to me since early days at Cambridge. The only claim I make for them is that they are not simply * Canon of Norwich. Headmaster of Eton, 1905-16.