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Article RETURNING TO LABOUR. Page 1 of 2 Article RETURNING TO LABOUR. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Returning To Labour.
RETURNING TO LABOUR .
THE " month of partridges " has set in onco more upon us , and though the report of the " frequent gun" is to be heard on moorland and in covert , yot in bnsiness circles it is generally regarded that with the advent of
September the holiday season is practically over , and that trade may be expected to settle down again into a steady and substantial groove . With the approach of the summer season is associated a programme of alluring trips and
excursions into the country , or to the seaside , when a respite from the monotony of every-day life can be enjoyed , and the physical powers fortified for tbe stern duties to which we must ere long return . And were it not for these
little pleasant breaks in the journey , life would indeed be but a realisation of Mr . Mantalini ' s sage opinion that it is only " one dem'd horrid grind . " Parliament is tardy this year in rising from its labours , and the dusky partridges
dangling from the poulterers' hooks must be tantalising to the hard-worked members as they make their way unwillingly to Westminster , when they would fain be blazing
away on their respective " bits o' shooting . ' They will have their turn by-and-bye , when the ordinary holiday maker bas spun out his too brief excursion , and has returned home with the reflection that he cannot eat his
cake and have it too . The season of the hop-harvest provides the means of pleasant outing to a section of towusfolk who accept "bins" more for the health-giving relaxation it affords than for the pecuniary result of their exertions ;
and just now many of the familiar Kentish resorts are frequented by well-to-do strangers , as well as the nomads from Spitalfields and Bethnal-green . Here , amid the tonic virtues of the hop-garden , it is said to be good for the
guests to put on working attire and labour for some hours daily at the bin . It is even held by hygeinic authorities that to handle the vine and its fragrant flowers is no bad substitute for the whilom Bass or Allsopp .
But in whatever shape or form the holiday months have been passed , people will be returning shortly to their various avocations , and the remark equally applies to our Masonic Lodges , in which a
resumption of work has already began to be apparent . It may not be inopportune , on tbe eve of brethren re-assembling for the active exercise of their Masonic calling , to offer a few remarks upon the events that are passed and those
which may be awaiting us . As far as our experience has gone dnring tho year , nothing has happened to evoke any other kind of feeling but that of satisfaction ; as regards the working year that is dawning upon us , though it is
not m the power of any one to outline for himself with accuracy the near future , he may nevertheless , by comparing circumstances one with another , hazard a tolerably shrewd guess as to whether the outlook is promising or
the reverse . The work that has been done on behalf of our Institutions during the past eventful year has been of the most praiseworthy description . In spite of the depression of trade , which has produced a painful effect upon
every class of our fellow-countrymen , and has proved disastrous to the well-being and usefulness of some of the benevolent institutions of the kingdom , Masouio chanty ha
reached a splendid aggregate , and our various establishments have been each and all benefited to a most gratifying extent . The occurrence of Her Majesty ' s Jubilee caused an enormous amount of money to be spent , not only in the
Returning To Labour.
capita ] , bufc throughout every portion of the Empire ; and the stress upon private generosity and patriotic enthusiasm was everywhere very severe . But , notwithstanding all this , a very large number of brethren gallantly undertook
the somewhat thankless duties of Stewards , and the handsome totals realised at our three Festivals prove the growing strength and solidity of the support that is accorded to our Charities . If these results are to be taken as a
criterion , the satisfactory assurance is afforded us that , come what may , in the shape of fluctuation of trade , the uncertainty of our political or commercial relations at home or abroad , the three Masonic Institutions are certain to
receive that sustenance which we all desire for them , and so be maintained in the highest efficiency as proud landmarks of the Qrder . We have seen during tho year , in connection with the Jubilee , one of the most numerous and
distinguished assemblages of English Masons the country has ever witnessed , if we except the Installation of our Most Worshipful Grand Master ; and the appropriation of the gross proceeds of that Commemoration Festival—over
six thousand pounds—to the Charities was a tangible expression of Masonic loyality and devotion , apart from tho Address which was formulated there , and afterwards presented to the Queen by His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales . This fillip to the funds of the Institutions , supplemented as it was by liberal grants from the Grand Lodge , so strengthened the hands of the Executive of each
that they were able to make substantial additions to the amount of benefit they would otherwise have been able to bestow . All our establishments have broadened their bases
and enlarged their responsibilities during the last twelve months ; and it will be well for us all to remember thafc these responsibilities admit of no retrogression , and the sphere of usefulness attained by the managing bodies must
be unflinchingly maintained . From the observations passed at meetings of Provincial Grand Lodges we have attended in different parts of England we are glad to learn that Masonry is steadily increasing in numbers and , what
is still more important , improving in quality ; whilst the invariable exordium from Provincial Grand Masters and their Officers is , that the cause of Charity should be fully and steadfastly kept always in view . Thus it is a
happiness to find that throughout the country the most perfect harmony and accord pervades the Craft , and that the increase in the number of our Lodges has brought with it a
corresponding augmentation of our Benevolent Funds . That this may continue to be the case in the coming year is the hope of every one who has the true interests of Freemasonry at heart .
Looking forward to the Session which will shortly open , there are many matters that must early engage the attention of the brethren , in addition to their personal share in the working of their respective Lodges . In a week or two we
shall welcome back again our many brethren who have been enjoying their well-earned repose , amidst green fields and smiling landscapes , or upon tbe coasts ; and there will be mutual hand-shaking of congratulation upon their improved
spirits and appearance . Then , with that smoothness and harmony which characterise every well-regulated Lodo-e , the Officers and members will settle down to work , and go forward again together along the paths of our favourite
research . Already the evenings are drawing in apace , and we shall have autumn and winter upon us almost before we are aware of their approach . The most must be made of the few remaining weeks—or days!—of the dull season , if
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Returning To Labour.
RETURNING TO LABOUR .
THE " month of partridges " has set in onco more upon us , and though the report of the " frequent gun" is to be heard on moorland and in covert , yot in bnsiness circles it is generally regarded that with the advent of
September the holiday season is practically over , and that trade may be expected to settle down again into a steady and substantial groove . With the approach of the summer season is associated a programme of alluring trips and
excursions into the country , or to the seaside , when a respite from the monotony of every-day life can be enjoyed , and the physical powers fortified for tbe stern duties to which we must ere long return . And were it not for these
little pleasant breaks in the journey , life would indeed be but a realisation of Mr . Mantalini ' s sage opinion that it is only " one dem'd horrid grind . " Parliament is tardy this year in rising from its labours , and the dusky partridges
dangling from the poulterers' hooks must be tantalising to the hard-worked members as they make their way unwillingly to Westminster , when they would fain be blazing
away on their respective " bits o' shooting . ' They will have their turn by-and-bye , when the ordinary holiday maker bas spun out his too brief excursion , and has returned home with the reflection that he cannot eat his
cake and have it too . The season of the hop-harvest provides the means of pleasant outing to a section of towusfolk who accept "bins" more for the health-giving relaxation it affords than for the pecuniary result of their exertions ;
and just now many of the familiar Kentish resorts are frequented by well-to-do strangers , as well as the nomads from Spitalfields and Bethnal-green . Here , amid the tonic virtues of the hop-garden , it is said to be good for the
guests to put on working attire and labour for some hours daily at the bin . It is even held by hygeinic authorities that to handle the vine and its fragrant flowers is no bad substitute for the whilom Bass or Allsopp .
But in whatever shape or form the holiday months have been passed , people will be returning shortly to their various avocations , and the remark equally applies to our Masonic Lodges , in which a
resumption of work has already began to be apparent . It may not be inopportune , on tbe eve of brethren re-assembling for the active exercise of their Masonic calling , to offer a few remarks upon the events that are passed and those
which may be awaiting us . As far as our experience has gone dnring tho year , nothing has happened to evoke any other kind of feeling but that of satisfaction ; as regards the working year that is dawning upon us , though it is
not m the power of any one to outline for himself with accuracy the near future , he may nevertheless , by comparing circumstances one with another , hazard a tolerably shrewd guess as to whether the outlook is promising or
the reverse . The work that has been done on behalf of our Institutions during the past eventful year has been of the most praiseworthy description . In spite of the depression of trade , which has produced a painful effect upon
every class of our fellow-countrymen , and has proved disastrous to the well-being and usefulness of some of the benevolent institutions of the kingdom , Masouio chanty ha
reached a splendid aggregate , and our various establishments have been each and all benefited to a most gratifying extent . The occurrence of Her Majesty ' s Jubilee caused an enormous amount of money to be spent , not only in the
Returning To Labour.
capita ] , bufc throughout every portion of the Empire ; and the stress upon private generosity and patriotic enthusiasm was everywhere very severe . But , notwithstanding all this , a very large number of brethren gallantly undertook
the somewhat thankless duties of Stewards , and the handsome totals realised at our three Festivals prove the growing strength and solidity of the support that is accorded to our Charities . If these results are to be taken as a
criterion , the satisfactory assurance is afforded us that , come what may , in the shape of fluctuation of trade , the uncertainty of our political or commercial relations at home or abroad , the three Masonic Institutions are certain to
receive that sustenance which we all desire for them , and so be maintained in the highest efficiency as proud landmarks of the Qrder . We have seen during tho year , in connection with the Jubilee , one of the most numerous and
distinguished assemblages of English Masons the country has ever witnessed , if we except the Installation of our Most Worshipful Grand Master ; and the appropriation of the gross proceeds of that Commemoration Festival—over
six thousand pounds—to the Charities was a tangible expression of Masonic loyality and devotion , apart from tho Address which was formulated there , and afterwards presented to the Queen by His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales . This fillip to the funds of the Institutions , supplemented as it was by liberal grants from the Grand Lodge , so strengthened the hands of the Executive of each
that they were able to make substantial additions to the amount of benefit they would otherwise have been able to bestow . All our establishments have broadened their bases
and enlarged their responsibilities during the last twelve months ; and it will be well for us all to remember thafc these responsibilities admit of no retrogression , and the sphere of usefulness attained by the managing bodies must
be unflinchingly maintained . From the observations passed at meetings of Provincial Grand Lodges we have attended in different parts of England we are glad to learn that Masonry is steadily increasing in numbers and , what
is still more important , improving in quality ; whilst the invariable exordium from Provincial Grand Masters and their Officers is , that the cause of Charity should be fully and steadfastly kept always in view . Thus it is a
happiness to find that throughout the country the most perfect harmony and accord pervades the Craft , and that the increase in the number of our Lodges has brought with it a
corresponding augmentation of our Benevolent Funds . That this may continue to be the case in the coming year is the hope of every one who has the true interests of Freemasonry at heart .
Looking forward to the Session which will shortly open , there are many matters that must early engage the attention of the brethren , in addition to their personal share in the working of their respective Lodges . In a week or two we
shall welcome back again our many brethren who have been enjoying their well-earned repose , amidst green fields and smiling landscapes , or upon tbe coasts ; and there will be mutual hand-shaking of congratulation upon their improved
spirits and appearance . Then , with that smoothness and harmony which characterise every well-regulated Lodo-e , the Officers and members will settle down to work , and go forward again together along the paths of our favourite
research . Already the evenings are drawing in apace , and we shall have autumn and winter upon us almost before we are aware of their approach . The most must be made of the few remaining weeks—or days!—of the dull season , if