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Layman has been a member of Guildford Cathedral Library for many years and has read many of its books, both old and contemporary.  It is in rather a strange room, on the right side of the cathedral beyond the level of the altar, and contains, apart from book lined shelves, an impressive boardroom table with enough chairs to suit the most prestigious company.  One can easily imagine the chairman sitting at one end, and lots of directors loaded with bonuses, golden hellos and perhaps on their way out with golden goodbyes, sitting round the table and making big decisions.

 

The books available for borrowing form an interesting variety.  Many of them are obviously directed towards divinity students, readers and ordained priests, others are for the more general reader, though here some of the authors write in such an arcane manner that would “put off” many people.  Christianity and religion generally are intrinsically fascinating subjects, and it is surprising that they write in this way – why not some down to earth material as for example we used to get from Dean Anthony Bridge?  Another irritation to me is that so many books with promising titles are presented in such small print as to be almost unreadable.

 

A further section comprises biography and memoirs and here the material is presented in a much clearer fashion.  I remember being intrigued by the life of Evelyn Underhill, who long before the ordination of women in the Anglican church was a charismatic figure who had people coming to sit at her feet and listening intently to what she had to say .  In other words, a really good preacher will always attract followers.

 

During a period in hospital Layman always enjoyed a visit by the hospital chaplain, because then one was assured of a conversation with a well informed, intelligent, broadminded person (who had a faith). In similar fashion, he always finds a visit to the cathedral library illuminating and worthwhile, as again there is contact with good minds and ideas in the books provided.

 

John G.C.Brown.