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Article MASONIC CENTENARY AT LEICESTER. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC CENTENARY AT LEICESTER. Page 2 of 2
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Masonic Centenary At Leicester.
Percy Wallis P . P . G . S . W . Derbyshire , and J . W . Woodall P . G . Treasurer , following whm wero tho Present and Past Provincial Officers and P . M . ' s of St . John's Lodtfp , including Wor . Broa . Maurice Williams I . P . M . P . G . J . D ., C . J . Wilkinson P . M . 1007 P . G . S . XV ., B . A . Smith P . M . 523 P . G . J . W ., R . Waite 279 P . M . 466 P . P . G . J . W . Prov . Grind Treasurer , W . If . Lead P . M . 2081 P . G . S . D .
Charles K . Morris P . M . 1265 P . G . Superintendent of Works , Miles J . Walker P . M . 1205 P . P . G . J . W . P . G . D . of O , Aid . Wright P . M . 1391 P . P . G . R ., T . B . Laxtou W . M . 1007 P . ' G . O ., S . Cleaver P . M . 279 P . P . G . S . W ., C . Garden P . M . 279 P . P . G . A . D . C , J . O . Law P . M . 279 P . P . G . J . D ., It . Rowley P . M . 279 P . P . G . A . D . C , P . M . 's J . H . Thompson , Carl Lowenstein , T . Coltman P . M . 1265 P . P . G . R ., J . H . Marshall
P . M . 1007 P . P . G . A . D . C , E . Holmes Junior Warden St . John's Lodge , & c . Following the brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , who came next , were the representatives of the Knights of Malta Lodge , 50 ( Hinckley ) , including Past Masters E . J . Foxwell P . P . G . P ., R . R . Cole P . P . G . A . P ., T . Harrold P . P . G . J . W ., and W . Marchant P . P . G . A . P ., and after them the Johu o' Gaunt Lodge
523 , including W . M . Bro . VV . H . Barrow P . P . G . O ., P . M . ' s J . Young P . P . G . J . W ., J . T . Thorpe P . P . G . S . W ., J . B . Waring I . P . M ., T . G . Charles worth , G . Newsome P . P . G . S . D ., W . T . Hewlett P . P . G . O . ^ with Bros . W . J . Curtis Senior Warden , aud T . B . Neale Secretary . The Howe and Charnwood Lodge , 1007 ( Loughborough ) , was represented , among others , by P . M . ' s F . Amatt P . P . G . S . D ., T . " Corcoran P . P . G . J . D .,
R . L . Gibson P . P . G . P ., ancl W . Vial P . P . G . R ., the Rutland Lodge , 1130 ( Melton Mowbray ) , by tho Wor . Bros . G . Austin I . P . M . P . G . Superintendent of Works , aud others ; the Valo of Catmos Lodge , 1265 ( Oakham ) , by P . M . 's J . D . Bennett P . P . G . J . D ., W . H . Goodwin P . P . G . Standard Bearer , etc . ; the Commercial Lodge . 1391 , by the VV . M . Bro . J . G . Bower , S . Knight P . P . G . A . P ., and W . W .
Vincent ; tho Albert Edward Lodge , 1560 , by VV . M . Bro . Clongh . Taylor , Bros . C . A . Moore S . W ., F . Winterton , aud Dr . Pratt ; tho Granite Lodge , 2028 ( Narborough ) , by the W . M . Bro . T . W . Everard , P . M . F . VV . Wilmer P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ; aad the Lodgo of tho Golden Fleece , 2081 , by VV . M . Bro . Kidney P . M ., E . P . Steeds P . P . G . R ., & c . In addition to the above Officers thoro was a large
attendance of unofficial members of the various Lodges , and visiting brethren from several towns in the Midlands , many of whom attended ont of respect to the present "VV . M . of St . John's Lodge . Tho service was fully cloral , the processional hymn being " All people thifc on earth do dwell . " The prayers were intoned by tho Rev . VV . Terry , Precentor of St . Georges ; the first lesson was read by P . G . C . Bro . the
Rev . C . J . B . Seriven ( Oakham ) , aud tho second by Worahipful Bro . the Rev . J . 11 . Smith P . P . G . C . of Dnlwich College . The Vicar of St . George ' s , Rev . 11 . J . Fortescne was also present , and Bro . VV . H . Barrow P . G . O . was the Organist . The special psalms for tho day were Ps . xv ., lxxxiv ., and exxii ., and the anthem—by Dr . Clarke Whitfield—waa taken from Ps . exxxiii ., " Behold how good and joyful . "
The preacher was the Very Worahipful Bro . Rev . Charles J . Martyn Hon . Chaplain to Her Majesty . Ho took as his text St . Luke x . 25 , 26 , 27 , and 28 . Ho said that they were assembled to take part in a service of a somewhat nnusnal character—a service of solotnn thanksgiving to God iu commemoration of His goodness to tho mombers of tho St . John ' s Lodge of Freemasons , and for his having
blessed and prospered and preserved that Lodgo during the past hundred years . That was neither the time nor place for him to enter into tho history of the St . John ' s Lodge , which formed , though a small , yet a distinguished part of a large and important organisation , called Freemasonry—an organisation which had existed for so mauy years , and which had spread its influence and its admirable
principles over every portion of the known world . The Warrant of the Lodge was granted by tho Grand Master of England H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , afterwards George IV ., ou 31 st August 1790 , and haying passed , through many vicissitudes in the earlier days of its existence it had , during the last fifty years or more , gone well and worthily on its way . It had during tho latter part of its career had
the constant care aud solicitude of one member whom all the Masonic brethren of Leicestershire wero thankful to see present at that service—a man whose name was a household word in Masonic circles , not only in Leicestershire but through the length and breadth of England wherever Freemasonry had penetrated . The St . John ' s Lod ge was the oldest society of the kind in the county . It was , as
they termed it , the mother Lodge of the Province , aud it had that day bidden its friends and well-wishers to meet together in that solemn manner to rejoice with it in its prosperity on tho anniversary of its hundredth birthday . The preacher proceoded to make a brief reference to the story contained iu his texc and to the parable of the Good Samaritan . It washe wont on to saytho great aim anrl
, , object of Freemasonry to help its members to lovo God with all thoir heart aud strength , and to do thoir duty to their fellow . creatures to the best of their power , and ho desired to show those presanb in the church , both thus *} who were Masous and those who wero not , how noble and indeed how holy a thing was Freemasonry if properly aud trul y learned and carried into practice . They occasionally hoard
"ho question asked , sometimes earnestly and sincerely , but more often sneeringly , " What is this Freemasonry that we hoar so much about and know littlo of ? what aro its objects and what possible good can it effect which could not ba sees red equall y well without all this secrecy and mystery with which it seems to be surrounded ? " Ho would reply that its great aim and
object were to render its disciples better servants to their God , and better mornbors of society—better husbauds , better SJUS , better brothers , in a word better men . It taught and helped them to bo jnst what Christ would have them to be—imitators and followers of all that was great , excellent , good , nobla aad true . Bur it might be said , " Why do you want any particular society to teaoli
M all this—doos not Christianity teach all this , and much moro ?" ll" answered , that of cotirso aud most certainly it did , and if 11 , 011 would only pray for help to live up to and discharge their duty a « baptized Christians they would need no organisations or anything "¦•" " to assist ihem , and , indeed , thoy would roach the millennium . - '"! ' human nature was weak and frail , aud greatly in need ofevory Cilia hel p aud assistance it could liud , aud it was uocauao ho be-
Masonic Centenary At Leicester.
lieved that Freemasonry afforded snch a help that ho was so devoted an admirer of it . Freemasonry w a ) a greifc aud grand system of pure morality . It did not profess in any way or shape to interfere with a man ' s religion or political beliefs , and a member of it might be a Churchman or a Dissouter , a Roman Catholio or a Mahometan , provide ;! he believed in a true and living and most high God ; and he
might hold any political opinions that ho chose , provided that he pud strict obndionce to the laws and government under whioh he lived , find was loyal to his Sovereign , tie had been a Mason now for 35 years , and had seen something of the work and effects of Freemasonry iu nearly every Province iu England , and he conld assure them it was a great and grand reality , and no sham , as some
people would havo them believe . People sometimes talked about the jewels and dress , and accused them of being vain and foolish and with decking themselves out with finery . But were they the o' \ ly people who adopted a distinguishing kind of dress to mark the rank of men among themselves ? Did not the same thing prevail in the liberal professions—in tho Church , the Army , the Navy the Law
the Civil and Diplomatic Services ? and he did not see why they should find fault with Freemasonry any more than with these on this point . Freemasons again wero often accused of never meeting together without dinners or suppers , or something of that kind . But again ho would ask them—Were they after all very peculiar iu this ? Were not such social gatherings almost
a proverbial characteristic of all their fellow-countrymen ? Public dinners , aud breakfasts , and luncheons were by no means restricted to Freemasons . Every society almost , and nearly every public work , was thus cemented or inaugurated . To guard against intemperance and excess of every kind was one of the most solemn promises which Freemasons were called on to make , and although
amongst over 100 , 000 members thoy now aud then might find a case in which a Freemason forgot himself , yefc ifc was both ungenerous and untrue to say that this was tho rnlo and not the very great exception . Had ho time that morning he could tell them something about the many great , and in some respects unequalled , advantages of Freemasonry , and of tho excellent , beneficial , and unobtrusive work
in which it was engaged . Freemasonry , as he had told them , most strongly and forcibly insisted on the practice of every domestic as well as every public virtue , and ifc was full of the tuachiug—plain and unmistakable , as well ns symbolical , and he might perhaps term it dramatic—of tho great lessons of morality and charity . As to the last-named , charity , they had in
connection with the Order un excellent Boys' School , and a splendid Girls' School at Battersea , whero there wore about 250 children in each institution , maintained at a cost of £ 11 , 000 a year by the voluntary subscriptions of Freemasons , and for the children of thoso who might need snch help . At Croydon they had au asylum for the aged and for the widows of Masons , and in addition there was a large
number of auuuitauts receiving £ 32 or £ 40 , whioh cost £ 15 , 000 more ; . and further some £ 10 , 000 was distributed in grants to deserving and well authenticated cases of distress , while from timo to timo they also gavo large sums to outside institutions . Such wore some few of their charities , and of them he thought they might surely be justly proud . They , as Freemasons , to enable them to
know and recognise oue another , had their tew and simplejsigns and tokens , while , for the psreervation and safety of their Order and its privileges , they bad interchanged simple vows of fidelity , whioh in no way interfered with thoir moral , civil , or religious duties . This they did because were their secrets to bo revealed their society would be at au end , for if every one know them thoy would have no especial bond
or mystic tie to join them together as an especial brotherhood . In concluding his sermon thn preacher made an appeal on behalf of fche Leicester Children ' s Hospital , which ho said he had visited , and of which he spoke in the highest terms of praise . After the sermon an offertory for the Leicester Children ' s Hospital was taken , and realised
£ 39 5 s . Tho special service book contained a second anthem after the sermon , and the recessional hymn was , " 0 Lord , how joyful ' tis to see . " At the conclusion of the service the procession returned to the Masonio Hall , in reverse order , and immediately dispersed . The visiting brethren were privately entertained by their resident friends .
The Centenary celebration at St . George ' s Church proved in every respect a success . The vveather , fortunately , was fine . The consequence was that the procession of the officers and brethren of thc St . John's and other Lodges , to aud from the sacred edifice , waa decidedly interesting , and was witnessed by a considerable concourse of spectators . The service itself was appropriately bright aud
elective . Tho sermon waa likewise happy . It was noteworth y , indeed , in several respect . At the outset ; , the preacher paid a fitting tribute ) to the presence and services of the Worshipful Master of thu rnothor Lodge , Bro . Kolly , as well as to the history of the Lodge itsolf . Bat tho feature of the discourse was the marked ability with which it formulated the case for Freemasonry , as well as replied to
the various objections of which it had to run the gauntlet . VVe refer moro especially to its mystic signs ancl symbols , its badges antl jewels , and its recurring festivities . In these and other reap . cts tho Rev . Chas . Martyn establishod by far the strongest plea , or rather justification , for f . ho Order , to which many of his hearers , evidently , iMci evbr listened . It would bo going too fir to say that the sermon
conciliated aud converted evory uninitiated auditor who had before regarded Freemasonry witb au nnreasouiug suspicion begotten mainly of lack of knowledge . Bnfc oue thing the clear and ablo exposition was admirably adapted to do . It was excellently calculated to sweep away a cloud of popular prejudice against which tho Order has hitherto had co battle , and sh '; W that-, whatever olso
it might not do , it was primarily designed to make its members better men , neighbours , citizens , and pifcriots—increasingly loyal disciples of a high-toned morality . If , iu short ,, Bro . Martyn ' s strong and admirable plea for Freemasonry could be scattered broadcast , io would do moro to " popularise " tho Order in a week than is othor . wise likoK to bo aocumplianud iu a docado . The Leicester Post ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Centenary At Leicester.
Percy Wallis P . P . G . S . W . Derbyshire , and J . W . Woodall P . G . Treasurer , following whm wero tho Present and Past Provincial Officers and P . M . ' s of St . John's Lodtfp , including Wor . Broa . Maurice Williams I . P . M . P . G . J . D ., C . J . Wilkinson P . M . 1007 P . G . S . XV ., B . A . Smith P . M . 523 P . G . J . W ., R . Waite 279 P . M . 466 P . P . G . J . W . Prov . Grind Treasurer , W . If . Lead P . M . 2081 P . G . S . D .
Charles K . Morris P . M . 1265 P . G . Superintendent of Works , Miles J . Walker P . M . 1205 P . P . G . J . W . P . G . D . of O , Aid . Wright P . M . 1391 P . P . G . R ., T . B . Laxtou W . M . 1007 P . ' G . O ., S . Cleaver P . M . 279 P . P . G . S . W ., C . Garden P . M . 279 P . P . G . A . D . C , J . O . Law P . M . 279 P . P . G . J . D ., It . Rowley P . M . 279 P . P . G . A . D . C , P . M . 's J . H . Thompson , Carl Lowenstein , T . Coltman P . M . 1265 P . P . G . R ., J . H . Marshall
P . M . 1007 P . P . G . A . D . C , E . Holmes Junior Warden St . John's Lodge , & c . Following the brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , who came next , were the representatives of the Knights of Malta Lodge , 50 ( Hinckley ) , including Past Masters E . J . Foxwell P . P . G . P ., R . R . Cole P . P . G . A . P ., T . Harrold P . P . G . J . W ., and W . Marchant P . P . G . A . P ., and after them the Johu o' Gaunt Lodge
523 , including W . M . Bro . VV . H . Barrow P . P . G . O ., P . M . ' s J . Young P . P . G . J . W ., J . T . Thorpe P . P . G . S . W ., J . B . Waring I . P . M ., T . G . Charles worth , G . Newsome P . P . G . S . D ., W . T . Hewlett P . P . G . O . ^ with Bros . W . J . Curtis Senior Warden , aud T . B . Neale Secretary . The Howe and Charnwood Lodge , 1007 ( Loughborough ) , was represented , among others , by P . M . ' s F . Amatt P . P . G . S . D ., T . " Corcoran P . P . G . J . D .,
R . L . Gibson P . P . G . P ., ancl W . Vial P . P . G . R ., the Rutland Lodge , 1130 ( Melton Mowbray ) , by tho Wor . Bros . G . Austin I . P . M . P . G . Superintendent of Works , aud others ; the Valo of Catmos Lodge , 1265 ( Oakham ) , by P . M . 's J . D . Bennett P . P . G . J . D ., W . H . Goodwin P . P . G . Standard Bearer , etc . ; the Commercial Lodge . 1391 , by the VV . M . Bro . J . G . Bower , S . Knight P . P . G . A . P ., and W . W .
Vincent ; tho Albert Edward Lodge , 1560 , by VV . M . Bro . Clongh . Taylor , Bros . C . A . Moore S . W ., F . Winterton , aud Dr . Pratt ; tho Granite Lodge , 2028 ( Narborough ) , by the W . M . Bro . T . W . Everard , P . M . F . VV . Wilmer P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ; aad the Lodgo of tho Golden Fleece , 2081 , by VV . M . Bro . Kidney P . M ., E . P . Steeds P . P . G . R ., & c . In addition to the above Officers thoro was a large
attendance of unofficial members of the various Lodges , and visiting brethren from several towns in the Midlands , many of whom attended ont of respect to the present "VV . M . of St . John's Lodge . Tho service was fully cloral , the processional hymn being " All people thifc on earth do dwell . " The prayers were intoned by tho Rev . VV . Terry , Precentor of St . Georges ; the first lesson was read by P . G . C . Bro . the
Rev . C . J . B . Seriven ( Oakham ) , aud tho second by Worahipful Bro . the Rev . J . 11 . Smith P . P . G . C . of Dnlwich College . The Vicar of St . George ' s , Rev . 11 . J . Fortescne was also present , and Bro . VV . H . Barrow P . G . O . was the Organist . The special psalms for tho day were Ps . xv ., lxxxiv ., and exxii ., and the anthem—by Dr . Clarke Whitfield—waa taken from Ps . exxxiii ., " Behold how good and joyful . "
The preacher was the Very Worahipful Bro . Rev . Charles J . Martyn Hon . Chaplain to Her Majesty . Ho took as his text St . Luke x . 25 , 26 , 27 , and 28 . Ho said that they were assembled to take part in a service of a somewhat nnusnal character—a service of solotnn thanksgiving to God iu commemoration of His goodness to tho mombers of tho St . John ' s Lodge of Freemasons , and for his having
blessed and prospered and preserved that Lodgo during the past hundred years . That was neither the time nor place for him to enter into tho history of the St . John ' s Lodge , which formed , though a small , yet a distinguished part of a large and important organisation , called Freemasonry—an organisation which had existed for so mauy years , and which had spread its influence and its admirable
principles over every portion of the known world . The Warrant of the Lodge was granted by tho Grand Master of England H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , afterwards George IV ., ou 31 st August 1790 , and haying passed , through many vicissitudes in the earlier days of its existence it had , during the last fifty years or more , gone well and worthily on its way . It had during tho latter part of its career had
the constant care aud solicitude of one member whom all the Masonic brethren of Leicestershire wero thankful to see present at that service—a man whose name was a household word in Masonic circles , not only in Leicestershire but through the length and breadth of England wherever Freemasonry had penetrated . The St . John ' s Lod ge was the oldest society of the kind in the county . It was , as
they termed it , the mother Lodge of the Province , aud it had that day bidden its friends and well-wishers to meet together in that solemn manner to rejoice with it in its prosperity on tho anniversary of its hundredth birthday . The preacher proceoded to make a brief reference to the story contained iu his texc and to the parable of the Good Samaritan . It washe wont on to saytho great aim anrl
, , object of Freemasonry to help its members to lovo God with all thoir heart aud strength , and to do thoir duty to their fellow . creatures to the best of their power , and ho desired to show those presanb in the church , both thus *} who were Masous and those who wero not , how noble and indeed how holy a thing was Freemasonry if properly aud trul y learned and carried into practice . They occasionally hoard
"ho question asked , sometimes earnestly and sincerely , but more often sneeringly , " What is this Freemasonry that we hoar so much about and know littlo of ? what aro its objects and what possible good can it effect which could not ba sees red equall y well without all this secrecy and mystery with which it seems to be surrounded ? " Ho would reply that its great aim and
object were to render its disciples better servants to their God , and better mornbors of society—better husbauds , better SJUS , better brothers , in a word better men . It taught and helped them to bo jnst what Christ would have them to be—imitators and followers of all that was great , excellent , good , nobla aad true . Bur it might be said , " Why do you want any particular society to teaoli
M all this—doos not Christianity teach all this , and much moro ?" ll" answered , that of cotirso aud most certainly it did , and if 11 , 011 would only pray for help to live up to and discharge their duty a « baptized Christians they would need no organisations or anything "¦•" " to assist ihem , and , indeed , thoy would roach the millennium . - '"! ' human nature was weak and frail , aud greatly in need ofevory Cilia hel p aud assistance it could liud , aud it was uocauao ho be-
Masonic Centenary At Leicester.
lieved that Freemasonry afforded snch a help that ho was so devoted an admirer of it . Freemasonry w a ) a greifc aud grand system of pure morality . It did not profess in any way or shape to interfere with a man ' s religion or political beliefs , and a member of it might be a Churchman or a Dissouter , a Roman Catholio or a Mahometan , provide ;! he believed in a true and living and most high God ; and he
might hold any political opinions that ho chose , provided that he pud strict obndionce to the laws and government under whioh he lived , find was loyal to his Sovereign , tie had been a Mason now for 35 years , and had seen something of the work and effects of Freemasonry iu nearly every Province iu England , and he conld assure them it was a great and grand reality , and no sham , as some
people would havo them believe . People sometimes talked about the jewels and dress , and accused them of being vain and foolish and with decking themselves out with finery . But were they the o' \ ly people who adopted a distinguishing kind of dress to mark the rank of men among themselves ? Did not the same thing prevail in the liberal professions—in tho Church , the Army , the Navy the Law
the Civil and Diplomatic Services ? and he did not see why they should find fault with Freemasonry any more than with these on this point . Freemasons again wero often accused of never meeting together without dinners or suppers , or something of that kind . But again ho would ask them—Were they after all very peculiar iu this ? Were not such social gatherings almost
a proverbial characteristic of all their fellow-countrymen ? Public dinners , aud breakfasts , and luncheons were by no means restricted to Freemasons . Every society almost , and nearly every public work , was thus cemented or inaugurated . To guard against intemperance and excess of every kind was one of the most solemn promises which Freemasons were called on to make , and although
amongst over 100 , 000 members thoy now aud then might find a case in which a Freemason forgot himself , yefc ifc was both ungenerous and untrue to say that this was tho rnlo and not the very great exception . Had ho time that morning he could tell them something about the many great , and in some respects unequalled , advantages of Freemasonry , and of tho excellent , beneficial , and unobtrusive work
in which it was engaged . Freemasonry , as he had told them , most strongly and forcibly insisted on the practice of every domestic as well as every public virtue , and ifc was full of the tuachiug—plain and unmistakable , as well ns symbolical , and he might perhaps term it dramatic—of tho great lessons of morality and charity . As to the last-named , charity , they had in
connection with the Order un excellent Boys' School , and a splendid Girls' School at Battersea , whero there wore about 250 children in each institution , maintained at a cost of £ 11 , 000 a year by the voluntary subscriptions of Freemasons , and for the children of thoso who might need snch help . At Croydon they had au asylum for the aged and for the widows of Masons , and in addition there was a large
number of auuuitauts receiving £ 32 or £ 40 , whioh cost £ 15 , 000 more ; . and further some £ 10 , 000 was distributed in grants to deserving and well authenticated cases of distress , while from timo to timo they also gavo large sums to outside institutions . Such wore some few of their charities , and of them he thought they might surely be justly proud . They , as Freemasons , to enable them to
know and recognise oue another , had their tew and simplejsigns and tokens , while , for the psreervation and safety of their Order and its privileges , they bad interchanged simple vows of fidelity , whioh in no way interfered with thoir moral , civil , or religious duties . This they did because were their secrets to bo revealed their society would be at au end , for if every one know them thoy would have no especial bond
or mystic tie to join them together as an especial brotherhood . In concluding his sermon thn preacher made an appeal on behalf of fche Leicester Children ' s Hospital , which ho said he had visited , and of which he spoke in the highest terms of praise . After the sermon an offertory for the Leicester Children ' s Hospital was taken , and realised
£ 39 5 s . Tho special service book contained a second anthem after the sermon , and the recessional hymn was , " 0 Lord , how joyful ' tis to see . " At the conclusion of the service the procession returned to the Masonio Hall , in reverse order , and immediately dispersed . The visiting brethren were privately entertained by their resident friends .
The Centenary celebration at St . George ' s Church proved in every respect a success . The vveather , fortunately , was fine . The consequence was that the procession of the officers and brethren of thc St . John's and other Lodges , to aud from the sacred edifice , waa decidedly interesting , and was witnessed by a considerable concourse of spectators . The service itself was appropriately bright aud
elective . Tho sermon waa likewise happy . It was noteworth y , indeed , in several respect . At the outset ; , the preacher paid a fitting tribute ) to the presence and services of the Worshipful Master of thu rnothor Lodge , Bro . Kolly , as well as to the history of the Lodge itsolf . Bat tho feature of the discourse was the marked ability with which it formulated the case for Freemasonry , as well as replied to
the various objections of which it had to run the gauntlet . VVe refer moro especially to its mystic signs ancl symbols , its badges antl jewels , and its recurring festivities . In these and other reap . cts tho Rev . Chas . Martyn establishod by far the strongest plea , or rather justification , for f . ho Order , to which many of his hearers , evidently , iMci evbr listened . It would bo going too fir to say that the sermon
conciliated aud converted evory uninitiated auditor who had before regarded Freemasonry witb au nnreasouiug suspicion begotten mainly of lack of knowledge . Bnfc oue thing the clear and ablo exposition was admirably adapted to do . It was excellently calculated to sweep away a cloud of popular prejudice against which tho Order has hitherto had co battle , and sh '; W that-, whatever olso
it might not do , it was primarily designed to make its members better men , neighbours , citizens , and pifcriots—increasingly loyal disciples of a high-toned morality . If , iu short ,, Bro . Martyn ' s strong and admirable plea for Freemasonry could be scattered broadcast , io would do moro to " popularise " tho Order in a week than is othor . wise likoK to bo aocumplianud iu a docado . The Leicester Post ,