Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Installation Of Lord Tenterden Prov. G.M. For Essex.
the Agricultural Show . Lord Kensington and others had also expressed their regret at their absence . Tho Grand Ollicers well manned the Craft , and ho did not know how tho Freemasons AVOUUI get on without such brethren as Sir Albert Woods , Thomas Fenn , and Bro Martyn Past Grand Chaplain . Ho would particularly mention Avith regard to this toast , Bro . Alston , Past Grand Warden , Avhose father
before him Avas—as he was—a Avorthy president over tho Craft . Bro . Alston was ono of tho oldest Grand Ollicers , and the oldest living Grand Officer in the Province of Esses , aud it Avas his name ho would couple Avith the toast . Bro . Alston in reply said the Grand Officers present have felt it a pleasure as AVCII as a duty to support tho chair on this auspicious
occasion . To myself personally I may say that it has been a matter of intense interest to seo placed in the chair of this Province a brother whom I have known so lung , whose friendship I so value , end whose career I have so much admired , aud wo one and all of us feel most grateful to you for the hearty welcome which you havo accorded us , and for the excellent cheer with which you havo provided us . Your
Provincial Grand Master has referred in terms which demand my AViinnest acknowledgments to ono inexpressibly dear to me , who once occupied his chair . I will only say that if ho could be present today ho would fully ratify and confirm and approve tho choice which Iris Royal Highness hail made . For myself , 1 . -will say that I stand before yon now as one , I believe , of the oldest members of tho Grand
Lodge of England , and for some years before that I was a member and a Avorking member of tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex . In com ing before you to-day I have ventured toputoti someof the clothing which belonged to mo in this Grand Lodge , and I trust you will accept it as a compliment from mo that I should havo clone so . I can truly say that to my Masonic connection with this Province , ancl it is
not my only connection Avith this county , I owe some of the happiest recollections and experiences of my life ; and time , which tries and proves all things , has only added to the halo with which those recollections are surrounded . I know tho Province of Essex of old . It is a glorious Masonic Province ; Masonic virtues shono always brightly hero , and they will continue to do so , and for the comfort of your
excellent Prov . Grand Master I will say that iu no respect were the Masonic virtues moro conspicuous than in the loyalty and the devotion Avhich you were always ready to show to your Provincial Grand Master . In coming among you again to-day I miss many old accustomed faces , but others have taken their place , and aro now engaged in spreading tho tenets of Masonry throughout the Province ; but 1 rejoice
to find many of tho old Lodges which I knew of old j I have been glad to seo that grand old Lodge , tho Angel Lodgo at Colchester , so well represented . I rejoice to find that the Lodge at Uheltnsford has been deemed worthy of being associated with tho interesting ceremoii } ' of this day , and many other Lodges which I could name are still working with groat advantage to themselves and to tlio
Graft throughout the Province . When I first knew tho Province thero wore but- seven Lodges ; I believe there aro now nineteen . 1 need not refer to anything as hotter proving tho success of the efforts made by your hue must excellent Grand Master to spread Masonry throughout the Province . You have now had placed in your chair a brother who is destined to inaugurate an era of now
prosperity . His untiring energy , Ids xeal for Masonry , and his exeeilem . serial qualifies will lie sure to . Mtiviet to Masonry many o'hers who have r , ui , yet joined you ; ami 1 feel certain that under his fostering euro a great future is iu store for Masonry throughout tho Province . Brethren , I will detain you no longer , but assure yon that 1 Avish and pray that there may bo a bright future for yonr
Provincial Grand Master , and that Masonry under his beneficent presidency may prosper yet more than it ever has done iu the Province of Essex . The Earl of Carnarvon then proposed " Tlio health of tho Provincial Grand Master . " He said : Brethren , — -I have had a toast placed in my hands for which I thank those who have arranged the
procedure ot to-day . No toast could he moro grateful to me to propose , no toast I am satisfied could meet Avith greater enthusiasm on your part . Brethren , Ave can none of us forgot tho cause which has called us together to-day . We can none of us forget Avho now occupies the chair of this Province . I havo already had occasion more than onco within tho last few hours to offer tho expressions of
my own hearty good Avishes for the success of my noble friend in the new duty that ho has undertaken . I am very sanguine as to the mode in which ho Avill discharge those duties , lie has the guarantee so to speak , of his whole past in his favour . My noble friend suececdud to a title and an already distinguished name . He was not a man to rest idle upon hereditary honours . His life has been
emphatically , I should say , a life of hard , unsparing , laborious work . The frivolities , even tho lighter pleasures in life , which form so large a portion of the existence of other men havo passed comparatively by him ; he has scorned a life of inglorious case , and he has devoted time and strength and the energy both of mind and body to tho service of tho "State . This lias not been all . Step by step ,
patiently and by solid work , my noble friend has risen in . the profession that he adorns , till at last he has arrived at the hh'hest point oi all , tlie highest post which I conceive any ono in that profession can hold in England , tlio posiLon of permanent nnder Secretary at the Foreign Ollice . Brethren , none but those who have Lad some experience as Ministers in a luge department can tell how
deeply indebted tho country is to the permanent civil officers v . ho practically manage and administer tho .-e departments . But if there bo one otiieer iu a great department upon whom fringes , so to speak , the whole administration of thai , department , aud all abroad that that administration involves and laniej with it , it is the permanent under . ieeiutnry . All day , every day , day and night I may say . the
Wtato i . as calls upon him : he is tho adviser ot his political and pailia-aeiitnry chief ; he is tl e hinge upon which nil of that great oliiee , ami with the ollice thai great ton k y , in a , great measure turns anil tins , 1 may truiy say i , i experience , that among all that baud ot highly educated , able , laborious men to carry on the work of our public cilices , whosio merits receive far less recognition . Avhcu some-
Installation Of Lord Tenterden Prov. G.M. For Essex.
times contrasted by the showy and the tawdry qualities of those who are so deeply indebted to them—I speak it in all humility , because I have had the benefit of similar advice as my noble friend has given to a succession oi foreign secretaries—I say none but those who havo served in a great department as a parliamentary head can ho aware how deeply indebted tho Crown and the country are to
thoso Avho fill such a situation as my noble friend now fills . And therefore , brethren , I say that a great Masonio Province like this may gratefully and well appreciate when it can command the services of such a Provincial Grand Master . I know how heavy tho claims of pnblic business are upon any ono in my noble friend ' s position , but I have always found this in life , that those who are
really the busiest find the greatest amount of time to give to other persons . I remember hearing a story of Count Cavour when ho Avas at the head of tho Foreign Department iu Italy , which was a very stormy time . A friend visited him one morning early , and after talking live minutes proposed to hurry away , apologising for having detained him so long from public business . Count Cavour said , " Why , I
have plenty of time ; there are tAventy-fonr hours in tho day , and thoy surely aro enough for all purposes . " And I believe my noble friend hero is of tbe same opinion , when he could take himself away from the despatches of the Foreign Office to devote himself body and mind to such an occasion as tho present . I hardly know , when I see such a meeting as this , on what Masonic text to preach . It has been
my duty so often to inculcate Masonic principles or duties that I feel almost afraid of repeating what I have said . Thero are , no doubt , particular duties which are specially applicable to particular times and seasons . Tho duty of our Masonic Charity is one ; the Avorldwide brotherhood Avhich unites ns iu so many climates and countries is another great feature ; the code of morals , so to speak , Avhich lies
enshrined in the old charges of the Order which ia concealed veiled in tho ritual and symbolism such as that to which I alluded in the Grand Lodge to-day , theso aro all distinctive features of the Craft ; thoy may all be dwelt upon with advantage at different times and under different circumstances , bat the one word that I Avould take the liberty of saying to-day is perhaps on a somewhat different subject ; it is to
ask you to bear in mind , as it suggests itself to mo to-day , that our Masonic organisation , and the duties of loyal Provincial obedience to those Avho are placed high in authority , lie at the very root of all onr Masonic system in England . Brethren , tho administration of a great Masonic Province like this depends first of all upon the tact , the management , and tho administrative ability of the Provincial
Grand Master . It depends , in the next place , upon the zeal and the intelligence of thoso Grand Officers whom he appoints ; and , lastly , it depends upon the hearty zeal and the loyal obedience of the whole bod } ' of Masons scattered throughout tho Province ; and by that I mean the loyal obedience not merely of individual Masons , but of Lodges acting collectively together , as a part of the Masonic
organisation ; and let mo say that just as this is true of the Provincial Grand Lodge , so also is it true of the organisation of each individual Lodgo . Tho Master there is elected to his high office ; ho is bound to exercise tbo functions ancl duties of that office with the same qualities as tho Provincial Grand Master brings to bear ; he looks to his Officers to give him their hearty support iu tho Avork
of tho Lodge , and he looks again to the individual members of the Lodge to support him in a way that no written rules and no precise laws can possibly give . But , brethren , this is not perhaps all . It mi ght seem to some that the great powers Avhich aro lodged in the hands of the Provincial Grand Master , as they aro lodged in tho hands of tho Grand Master of the Craft , would make our ancient aud venerable
body despotic and absolute in its character and working . That is not nt all the case , Onr body seems to mo to be happil y blended together of the great principles of rale , of obedience , of loyalty , and yet also of great freedom . Freedom of election lies at the very root of tho whole matter , and confidence , tho offspring of that freedom of choice on the one hand , and of that considerate and
temperate rule on the other . Iu this it has often occurred to me that there is a strong resemblance between Freemasonry—English Freemasonry—and the English Constitution . You have large powers , great authority , great responsibility , great freedom , and , if the whole machine is to Avork together harmoniously aud satisfactorily , great confidence on the part of those who are governed in those who
govern . That is , in fact , what I believe the English Constitn . tion gives yon , roughly speaking—that is what we look for , and what we have found I believe in our Masonic system . Ancl perhaps this is , among other causes , one of the reasons—and one of tho principal reasons—why Freemasonry in England has united itself in such harmonious bonds with all the great
institutions of the country . I know , indeed , nothing more remarkable than the contrast which exists now , and which still more existed a few years ago between English Freemasonry and foreign . Here in England the great institutions of tho country are more or less connected with Freemasonry . There has never been any jealousy of Freemasonry here . Parliament , even in its roost
jealous moods , always made exceptions in favour of English Lodges . There was no suspicion , no jealousy , no ill-will , aud , as my noble friend I think also pointed out in one of his speeches to-day , it has been our special characteristic aud pleasure that iu thia country AVO havo had a succession of Royal Princes at the head of our Masonic system . Formerly , indeed , Freemasonry abroad was
bound up Avith many of those secret bodies which could certainl y not be said tobe allied to the State—which wero at enmity Avith tho . State—and it brought on foreign Freemasonry often much doubtsometimes discredit . We , I am thankful to say , have ever been spared thia , and I trust that through the long course of English Freemasonry Avhich is yet in store Ave shall always maintain
the same even , temperate Avay Avhich we have maintained in times past—thitt AVO shall still feel that with the laws , the institutions , tbe authorities of this country Ave are closely allied , that whilst we are Masons we are equally Englishmen—Englishmen in all the spirit of the laws , in all the spirit of the Constitution—and then we shall carry on , I doubt not , Freemasonry if possible even one step higher ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Installation Of Lord Tenterden Prov. G.M. For Essex.
the Agricultural Show . Lord Kensington and others had also expressed their regret at their absence . Tho Grand Ollicers well manned the Craft , and ho did not know how tho Freemasons AVOUUI get on without such brethren as Sir Albert Woods , Thomas Fenn , and Bro Martyn Past Grand Chaplain . Ho would particularly mention Avith regard to this toast , Bro . Alston , Past Grand Warden , Avhose father
before him Avas—as he was—a Avorthy president over tho Craft . Bro . Alston was ono of tho oldest Grand Ollicers , and the oldest living Grand Officer in the Province of Esses , aud it Avas his name ho would couple Avith the toast . Bro . Alston in reply said the Grand Officers present have felt it a pleasure as AVCII as a duty to support tho chair on this auspicious
occasion . To myself personally I may say that it has been a matter of intense interest to seo placed in the chair of this Province a brother whom I have known so lung , whose friendship I so value , end whose career I have so much admired , aud wo one and all of us feel most grateful to you for the hearty welcome which you havo accorded us , and for the excellent cheer with which you havo provided us . Your
Provincial Grand Master has referred in terms which demand my AViinnest acknowledgments to ono inexpressibly dear to me , who once occupied his chair . I will only say that if ho could be present today ho would fully ratify and confirm and approve tho choice which Iris Royal Highness hail made . For myself , 1 . -will say that I stand before yon now as one , I believe , of the oldest members of tho Grand
Lodge of England , and for some years before that I was a member and a Avorking member of tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex . In com ing before you to-day I have ventured toputoti someof the clothing which belonged to mo in this Grand Lodge , and I trust you will accept it as a compliment from mo that I should havo clone so . I can truly say that to my Masonic connection with this Province , ancl it is
not my only connection Avith this county , I owe some of the happiest recollections and experiences of my life ; and time , which tries and proves all things , has only added to the halo with which those recollections are surrounded . I know tho Province of Essex of old . It is a glorious Masonic Province ; Masonic virtues shono always brightly hero , and they will continue to do so , and for the comfort of your
excellent Prov . Grand Master I will say that iu no respect were the Masonic virtues moro conspicuous than in the loyalty and the devotion Avhich you were always ready to show to your Provincial Grand Master . In coming among you again to-day I miss many old accustomed faces , but others have taken their place , and aro now engaged in spreading tho tenets of Masonry throughout the Province ; but 1 rejoice
to find many of tho old Lodges which I knew of old j I have been glad to seo that grand old Lodge , tho Angel Lodgo at Colchester , so well represented . I rejoice to find that the Lodge at Uheltnsford has been deemed worthy of being associated with tho interesting ceremoii } ' of this day , and many other Lodges which I could name are still working with groat advantage to themselves and to tlio
Graft throughout the Province . When I first knew tho Province thero wore but- seven Lodges ; I believe there aro now nineteen . 1 need not refer to anything as hotter proving tho success of the efforts made by your hue must excellent Grand Master to spread Masonry throughout the Province . You have now had placed in your chair a brother who is destined to inaugurate an era of now
prosperity . His untiring energy , Ids xeal for Masonry , and his exeeilem . serial qualifies will lie sure to . Mtiviet to Masonry many o'hers who have r , ui , yet joined you ; ami 1 feel certain that under his fostering euro a great future is iu store for Masonry throughout tho Province . Brethren , I will detain you no longer , but assure yon that 1 Avish and pray that there may bo a bright future for yonr
Provincial Grand Master , and that Masonry under his beneficent presidency may prosper yet more than it ever has done iu the Province of Essex . The Earl of Carnarvon then proposed " Tlio health of tho Provincial Grand Master . " He said : Brethren , — -I have had a toast placed in my hands for which I thank those who have arranged the
procedure ot to-day . No toast could he moro grateful to me to propose , no toast I am satisfied could meet Avith greater enthusiasm on your part . Brethren , Ave can none of us forgot tho cause which has called us together to-day . We can none of us forget Avho now occupies the chair of this Province . I havo already had occasion more than onco within tho last few hours to offer tho expressions of
my own hearty good Avishes for the success of my noble friend in the new duty that ho has undertaken . I am very sanguine as to the mode in which ho Avill discharge those duties , lie has the guarantee so to speak , of his whole past in his favour . My noble friend suececdud to a title and an already distinguished name . He was not a man to rest idle upon hereditary honours . His life has been
emphatically , I should say , a life of hard , unsparing , laborious work . The frivolities , even tho lighter pleasures in life , which form so large a portion of the existence of other men havo passed comparatively by him ; he has scorned a life of inglorious case , and he has devoted time and strength and the energy both of mind and body to tho service of tho "State . This lias not been all . Step by step ,
patiently and by solid work , my noble friend has risen in . the profession that he adorns , till at last he has arrived at the hh'hest point oi all , tlie highest post which I conceive any ono in that profession can hold in England , tlio posiLon of permanent nnder Secretary at the Foreign Ollice . Brethren , none but those who have Lad some experience as Ministers in a luge department can tell how
deeply indebted tho country is to the permanent civil officers v . ho practically manage and administer tho .-e departments . But if there bo one otiieer iu a great department upon whom fringes , so to speak , the whole administration of thai , department , aud all abroad that that administration involves and laniej with it , it is the permanent under . ieeiutnry . All day , every day , day and night I may say . the
Wtato i . as calls upon him : he is tho adviser ot his political and pailia-aeiitnry chief ; he is tl e hinge upon which nil of that great oliiee , ami with the ollice thai great ton k y , in a , great measure turns anil tins , 1 may truiy say i , i experience , that among all that baud ot highly educated , able , laborious men to carry on the work of our public cilices , whosio merits receive far less recognition . Avhcu some-
Installation Of Lord Tenterden Prov. G.M. For Essex.
times contrasted by the showy and the tawdry qualities of those who are so deeply indebted to them—I speak it in all humility , because I have had the benefit of similar advice as my noble friend has given to a succession oi foreign secretaries—I say none but those who havo served in a great department as a parliamentary head can ho aware how deeply indebted tho Crown and the country are to
thoso Avho fill such a situation as my noble friend now fills . And therefore , brethren , I say that a great Masonio Province like this may gratefully and well appreciate when it can command the services of such a Provincial Grand Master . I know how heavy tho claims of pnblic business are upon any ono in my noble friend ' s position , but I have always found this in life , that those who are
really the busiest find the greatest amount of time to give to other persons . I remember hearing a story of Count Cavour when ho Avas at the head of tho Foreign Department iu Italy , which was a very stormy time . A friend visited him one morning early , and after talking live minutes proposed to hurry away , apologising for having detained him so long from public business . Count Cavour said , " Why , I
have plenty of time ; there are tAventy-fonr hours in tho day , and thoy surely aro enough for all purposes . " And I believe my noble friend hero is of tbe same opinion , when he could take himself away from the despatches of the Foreign Office to devote himself body and mind to such an occasion as tho present . I hardly know , when I see such a meeting as this , on what Masonic text to preach . It has been
my duty so often to inculcate Masonic principles or duties that I feel almost afraid of repeating what I have said . Thero are , no doubt , particular duties which are specially applicable to particular times and seasons . Tho duty of our Masonic Charity is one ; the Avorldwide brotherhood Avhich unites ns iu so many climates and countries is another great feature ; the code of morals , so to speak , Avhich lies
enshrined in the old charges of the Order which ia concealed veiled in tho ritual and symbolism such as that to which I alluded in the Grand Lodge to-day , theso aro all distinctive features of the Craft ; thoy may all be dwelt upon with advantage at different times and under different circumstances , bat the one word that I Avould take the liberty of saying to-day is perhaps on a somewhat different subject ; it is to
ask you to bear in mind , as it suggests itself to mo to-day , that our Masonic organisation , and the duties of loyal Provincial obedience to those Avho are placed high in authority , lie at the very root of all onr Masonic system in England . Brethren , tho administration of a great Masonic Province like this depends first of all upon the tact , the management , and tho administrative ability of the Provincial
Grand Master . It depends , in the next place , upon the zeal and the intelligence of thoso Grand Officers whom he appoints ; and , lastly , it depends upon the hearty zeal and the loyal obedience of the whole bod } ' of Masons scattered throughout tho Province ; and by that I mean the loyal obedience not merely of individual Masons , but of Lodges acting collectively together , as a part of the Masonic
organisation ; and let mo say that just as this is true of the Provincial Grand Lodge , so also is it true of the organisation of each individual Lodgo . Tho Master there is elected to his high office ; ho is bound to exercise tbo functions ancl duties of that office with the same qualities as tho Provincial Grand Master brings to bear ; he looks to his Officers to give him their hearty support iu tho Avork
of tho Lodge , and he looks again to the individual members of the Lodge to support him in a way that no written rules and no precise laws can possibly give . But , brethren , this is not perhaps all . It mi ght seem to some that the great powers Avhich aro lodged in the hands of the Provincial Grand Master , as they aro lodged in tho hands of tho Grand Master of the Craft , would make our ancient aud venerable
body despotic and absolute in its character and working . That is not nt all the case , Onr body seems to mo to be happil y blended together of the great principles of rale , of obedience , of loyalty , and yet also of great freedom . Freedom of election lies at the very root of tho whole matter , and confidence , tho offspring of that freedom of choice on the one hand , and of that considerate and
temperate rule on the other . Iu this it has often occurred to me that there is a strong resemblance between Freemasonry—English Freemasonry—and the English Constitution . You have large powers , great authority , great responsibility , great freedom , and , if the whole machine is to Avork together harmoniously aud satisfactorily , great confidence on the part of those who are governed in those who
govern . That is , in fact , what I believe the English Constitn . tion gives yon , roughly speaking—that is what we look for , and what we have found I believe in our Masonic system . Ancl perhaps this is , among other causes , one of the reasons—and one of tho principal reasons—why Freemasonry in England has united itself in such harmonious bonds with all the great
institutions of the country . I know , indeed , nothing more remarkable than the contrast which exists now , and which still more existed a few years ago between English Freemasonry and foreign . Here in England the great institutions of tho country are more or less connected with Freemasonry . There has never been any jealousy of Freemasonry here . Parliament , even in its roost
jealous moods , always made exceptions in favour of English Lodges . There was no suspicion , no jealousy , no ill-will , aud , as my noble friend I think also pointed out in one of his speeches to-day , it has been our special characteristic aud pleasure that iu thia country AVO havo had a succession of Royal Princes at the head of our Masonic system . Formerly , indeed , Freemasonry abroad was
bound up Avith many of those secret bodies which could certainl y not be said tobe allied to the State—which wero at enmity Avith tho . State—and it brought on foreign Freemasonry often much doubtsometimes discredit . We , I am thankful to say , have ever been spared thia , and I trust that through the long course of English Freemasonry Avhich is yet in store Ave shall always maintain
the same even , temperate Avay Avhich we have maintained in times past—thitt AVO shall still feel that with the laws , the institutions , tbe authorities of this country Ave are closely allied , that whilst we are Masons we are equally Englishmen—Englishmen in all the spirit of the laws , in all the spirit of the Constitution—and then we shall carry on , I doubt not , Freemasonry if possible even one step higher ,