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Article SCOTTISH FREEMASONS AND THE BURNS ANNIVERSARY. ← Page 3 of 3 Article THE OLDEST MASONIC LODGE IN CANADA. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Obituary. Page 1 of 1 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scottish Freemasons And The Burns Anniversary.
Even his longer poems afford an illustration of the same faculty of spontaneity . Take , as an example , " Tarn o * Shanter . " It is a poem ofthe very highest descriptive merit , dramatic to a degree which has rarely been equalled ; pervaded throughout with the strongest possible local colour , and from many points a composition whioh is absolutely unsurpassed . And yet we know it was struck off at a heat ,
conceived and formed in tho poet a brain , and given to the world just aa we see it to-day , in the course of one short afternoon . I am not here to invent apologies for the absence of self-restraint which led him into those endless difficulties which aro ever to be deplored . Particularly in one matter waa he extravagantly susceptible . Ho was utterly unable to resist the fascinations of the fair sex . No one knew that better than himself . You remember where bo
says—I hae been blythe wi' comrades dear , 1 hao been merry drinkin ' , I hao been joyful gathorin' gear , I hae been happy thinkin ' . But a' the pleasure e ' er I saw , Though three times doubled fairly , That happy night was worth them a ' Among tbe rigs o' barley .
But even in his relations with the other sex , if he waa unreflecting , he waa never deliberately dishonourable . If hia " heart waa tinder , and eternally lighted up by some goddess , " no ono ever suffered more keenly from the pangs of remorse . And it must remain everlastingly to hia credit that in circumstances whioh wonld have led almost any other man to hesitate , when the relative positions had changed com * pletely , when , owing to the action of her family and her own
acquiescence , all legal claim upon him had ceased , and when , moreover , his own feelings had entirely altered , he voluntarily made the only reparation in his power to the object of his early affections . Often hurried from the right path by his impulsive nature , no one more fully recognised that to the juat and virtuous man death haa no terrors equal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour . Hear how he puts it : —
The fear o' hell ' s a hangman's whip To hand the wretch in order ; Bnt where ye feel your honour grip , Let that be aye your border . No sketch of his character would be complete without a special reference to his boundless and exalted patriotism . We Scotsmen
may claim , I think , without fear , that in love of our conntry we are second to no other nation , either of present or past times . And of all Scotsmen , none ever lived in whose heart the sacred fire burned more fiercely than in his . For Sir Walter Scott it may be claimed that he did more to strengthen and perpetuate Scottish national feeling ; and certainly Scott was no less a patriot than our national bard .
But I venture to assert that even Scott never wrote anything which exceeds in concentrated patriotic fervour that masterpiece " Bannockburn " —better known as " Scots wha ha ' e . " Every word , every line , quickena the pulse and makes tbe blood snrge in the veins . You can hear the tramp of the mailed warriors , the clash of the steel , and the shouts of determination to " do or dee . " If he had never written
another line , this short poem alone wonld have been sufficient to embalm bis memory and seenre for him a niche among the immortals . I have thus endeavoured , aa far aa time at my disposal would admit , to recall to yonr memories the leading characteristics of onr great national poet . It is intended that it should be a function of this Lodge year by year on tbe anniversary of his birth to celebrate
his immortal memory , thus handing down to posterity , alight and glowing , the sacred torch of brotherly kindness and patriotism—a torch which was never more nobly born than by himself in his lifetime . I esteem it a very high privilege to have been called npon on this occasion , because , however sensible one may be of inability to rise to the height of so magnificent a theme , it ia at least something to have been permitted to respond to a toast dedicated to a memory which
remains green in the breast of every true son of Caledonia , to the memory of a man who , if he was an enemy to himself , was preeminently the trne friend of his country ; of a man whose poems find a universal echo in the hearts equally of the highest and the most humble , and whose mastery over the emotions of his fellows , whether joyous or sorrowful , waa aa peerless , as it was unerring . —Financial Times
The Oldest Masonic Lodge In Canada.
THE OLDEST MASONIC LODGE IN CANADA .
ANTIQUITY , No . 1 , installed new Officers at their last meeting . Tho Installing Officers were Right Wor . VV . W . LeMecsurier , assisted by Bro . King . Tbe following is the list of Others for the onsumg year : —Bros . Mitchell Worshipful Master , Kiiig I . P . M ., LeMessurier S . W ., Verry J . W ., Upton Treasurer , Pickard Secretary , Dawson Director of Ceremonies , Brooke Ortanist , Creighton S . D .,
Blnndoll J . D ., Saul I . G ., Morton , Neviu and Uastie Stewards , Lawrence Tyler . On tho Permanent Committee Bros . Brown P . G . S ., Kothwell and Holland were elected . The representatives to the Rooms Committee is Right Worshipful Bro . LeMessurier P . D . G . M ., and Brother Mitchell W . M . P . G . S . as representative to
tho Board of Relief . After the installation ceremonies the brethren had thoir annnal dinner , when , after tho usutd toasts were proposed and responded to , Bros . Vary , Blundell , Erokine , Brown , Ilastie , Arnold aud Wilson sung a uu : ub"r of SIUES that made the evening pass away , aud another year of Antiquity's old age was ended , or begun .
Ar01004
IMPORTANT NOTICE . —Confidential Advice free per post to all in weak and f-iilitic health , with loss of stren ^ tu and vitality . Fifty year experience ia Nervous Ailments . Address , The Secretary , 3 Fitzallan Sijnnre Sheffield . Form of Correspondence Vrco . Write to-day . tiO years experience AU diseases arising from impurity of tho blood absolutely cured .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . ROBERT CRAIG P . M . THE news of the death of this venerable nnd venerated Brother was received by the Craffc in Leeds with unmiugled feelings of the sincerest regret . Bro . Craig , who for many years has been one of the most prominent Freemasons in Leeds , was abont 75 years of age . For somo months he
has beon staying with relatives in North Lyham , Northumberland , where he went to recruit his health . He has frequently proposed to return to Leeds , to be once moro with the members of tb * e Craffc he loved so well , but his return has always had to be postponed , on account of the
unsatisfactory state of his health ; and now , alas , he will never more receive the welcome that was prepared for him . He has gone down to tho grave full of years and honours , and as he lived respected , he has died regretted . He was initiated into Freemasonry in Philanthropic Lodge ,
No . 304 , and afc the time of his death was one of fche oldest Pasfc Masters of thafc Lodge . He early joined Lodge Prudence , 2069 , and in both Lodges his death is felfc as a severe loss . In Craft , Arch , and Mark Masonry Bro . Craig was an adept , as well as in some of the side degrees . He
was Past Prov . Grand Deacon of West Yorkshire , and held corresponding honour in Provincial Grand Chapter . As a ritualist he held a very high position , and has coached more young Masons in his time than any other Brother . Some years ago he was afflicted by temporary
disease , and his greatest solace afc fchafc time , as he frequently confessed , was to repeat the ritual , and so proficient did he become fchafc in his later years his house was fche welcome rendezvous of those anxious to acquire either Craft or Arch working . In every good work ,
whether in Masonry or out of it , he was ever to the fore . His charity , indeed , knew no bounds , save those of prudence . His death has left Freemasonry in Leeds very much the poorer , and his memory will long be cherished by those who knew and loved him well . Tho
Brethren in his Mother Lodge and the Prudence sent wreaths , which adorned his coffin on the way to its last resting place . He has left an example which will stimulate the younger Masons in their pathway through life , and that
is the best monument our dear departed Brother would have desired . To know him was to love him indeed , and now he is no more , to emulate his good example will bo the ambition of his sorrowing brothers . Eeqaiescat in pace .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the "Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
FULL COSTUME
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your leader in last week ' s issue , under the title or caption of Masonic Pantomime , is deserving of the consideration of all earnest brethren under the English Constitution of Free and Accepted Masons , particularly at . the present moment , wheu
amongst other innovations that of introducing Royal Arch Regalia iuto Craft Lodges appears to be seriously intended . Tho particulars you narrato in connection with the ridiculous exhibition in the Missouri Lodge , No . 1 , at St . Louis , may yet be paralleled in some English Lodgea unless the firm hand of authority is exercised ,
to stop at once the pestilent introduction of unrecognised regalia and personal adornment whicb , at one and the same time , expose ihe inordinate vanity of the wearer and his ignorance of the true meaning of speculative Freemasonry and its symbols . The thin end of the wedge is alrondv ioserted . Grand Officers of
the " Supreme Order of the lloly Royal Arch " now appear , here and then ** - , with their R . A . collars and distinctive emblems surrouudiug tboir Craft regalia , and Companirns of the Order "sport" their sii ^ hes and badges , and no one calls thorn to account * -. Individually I agree with every word you have written in your
leader on the subject—every word but one . Yon u * - > e the expression , " More honourable than tho Star , Garter , or any other Order in existence . " May I ask what Order of the "Star" you refer to ? I know of no Order so entitled , past or present , which can have been , or is connected with Freomasonry . Yours faithfully and fraternally , JAMES S TEVES , Catford , 3 rd Fob . 1801 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scottish Freemasons And The Burns Anniversary.
Even his longer poems afford an illustration of the same faculty of spontaneity . Take , as an example , " Tarn o * Shanter . " It is a poem ofthe very highest descriptive merit , dramatic to a degree which has rarely been equalled ; pervaded throughout with the strongest possible local colour , and from many points a composition whioh is absolutely unsurpassed . And yet we know it was struck off at a heat ,
conceived and formed in tho poet a brain , and given to the world just aa we see it to-day , in the course of one short afternoon . I am not here to invent apologies for the absence of self-restraint which led him into those endless difficulties which aro ever to be deplored . Particularly in one matter waa he extravagantly susceptible . Ho was utterly unable to resist the fascinations of the fair sex . No one knew that better than himself . You remember where bo
says—I hae been blythe wi' comrades dear , 1 hao been merry drinkin ' , I hao been joyful gathorin' gear , I hae been happy thinkin ' . But a' the pleasure e ' er I saw , Though three times doubled fairly , That happy night was worth them a ' Among tbe rigs o' barley .
But even in his relations with the other sex , if he waa unreflecting , he waa never deliberately dishonourable . If hia " heart waa tinder , and eternally lighted up by some goddess , " no ono ever suffered more keenly from the pangs of remorse . And it must remain everlastingly to hia credit that in circumstances whioh wonld have led almost any other man to hesitate , when the relative positions had changed com * pletely , when , owing to the action of her family and her own
acquiescence , all legal claim upon him had ceased , and when , moreover , his own feelings had entirely altered , he voluntarily made the only reparation in his power to the object of his early affections . Often hurried from the right path by his impulsive nature , no one more fully recognised that to the juat and virtuous man death haa no terrors equal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour . Hear how he puts it : —
The fear o' hell ' s a hangman's whip To hand the wretch in order ; Bnt where ye feel your honour grip , Let that be aye your border . No sketch of his character would be complete without a special reference to his boundless and exalted patriotism . We Scotsmen
may claim , I think , without fear , that in love of our conntry we are second to no other nation , either of present or past times . And of all Scotsmen , none ever lived in whose heart the sacred fire burned more fiercely than in his . For Sir Walter Scott it may be claimed that he did more to strengthen and perpetuate Scottish national feeling ; and certainly Scott was no less a patriot than our national bard .
But I venture to assert that even Scott never wrote anything which exceeds in concentrated patriotic fervour that masterpiece " Bannockburn " —better known as " Scots wha ha ' e . " Every word , every line , quickena the pulse and makes tbe blood snrge in the veins . You can hear the tramp of the mailed warriors , the clash of the steel , and the shouts of determination to " do or dee . " If he had never written
another line , this short poem alone wonld have been sufficient to embalm bis memory and seenre for him a niche among the immortals . I have thus endeavoured , aa far aa time at my disposal would admit , to recall to yonr memories the leading characteristics of onr great national poet . It is intended that it should be a function of this Lodge year by year on tbe anniversary of his birth to celebrate
his immortal memory , thus handing down to posterity , alight and glowing , the sacred torch of brotherly kindness and patriotism—a torch which was never more nobly born than by himself in his lifetime . I esteem it a very high privilege to have been called npon on this occasion , because , however sensible one may be of inability to rise to the height of so magnificent a theme , it ia at least something to have been permitted to respond to a toast dedicated to a memory which
remains green in the breast of every true son of Caledonia , to the memory of a man who , if he was an enemy to himself , was preeminently the trne friend of his country ; of a man whose poems find a universal echo in the hearts equally of the highest and the most humble , and whose mastery over the emotions of his fellows , whether joyous or sorrowful , waa aa peerless , as it was unerring . —Financial Times
The Oldest Masonic Lodge In Canada.
THE OLDEST MASONIC LODGE IN CANADA .
ANTIQUITY , No . 1 , installed new Officers at their last meeting . Tho Installing Officers were Right Wor . VV . W . LeMecsurier , assisted by Bro . King . Tbe following is the list of Others for the onsumg year : —Bros . Mitchell Worshipful Master , Kiiig I . P . M ., LeMessurier S . W ., Verry J . W ., Upton Treasurer , Pickard Secretary , Dawson Director of Ceremonies , Brooke Ortanist , Creighton S . D .,
Blnndoll J . D ., Saul I . G ., Morton , Neviu and Uastie Stewards , Lawrence Tyler . On tho Permanent Committee Bros . Brown P . G . S ., Kothwell and Holland were elected . The representatives to the Rooms Committee is Right Worshipful Bro . LeMessurier P . D . G . M ., and Brother Mitchell W . M . P . G . S . as representative to
tho Board of Relief . After the installation ceremonies the brethren had thoir annnal dinner , when , after tho usutd toasts were proposed and responded to , Bros . Vary , Blundell , Erokine , Brown , Ilastie , Arnold aud Wilson sung a uu : ub"r of SIUES that made the evening pass away , aud another year of Antiquity's old age was ended , or begun .
Ar01004
IMPORTANT NOTICE . —Confidential Advice free per post to all in weak and f-iilitic health , with loss of stren ^ tu and vitality . Fifty year experience ia Nervous Ailments . Address , The Secretary , 3 Fitzallan Sijnnre Sheffield . Form of Correspondence Vrco . Write to-day . tiO years experience AU diseases arising from impurity of tho blood absolutely cured .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . ROBERT CRAIG P . M . THE news of the death of this venerable nnd venerated Brother was received by the Craffc in Leeds with unmiugled feelings of the sincerest regret . Bro . Craig , who for many years has been one of the most prominent Freemasons in Leeds , was abont 75 years of age . For somo months he
has beon staying with relatives in North Lyham , Northumberland , where he went to recruit his health . He has frequently proposed to return to Leeds , to be once moro with the members of tb * e Craffc he loved so well , but his return has always had to be postponed , on account of the
unsatisfactory state of his health ; and now , alas , he will never more receive the welcome that was prepared for him . He has gone down to tho grave full of years and honours , and as he lived respected , he has died regretted . He was initiated into Freemasonry in Philanthropic Lodge ,
No . 304 , and afc the time of his death was one of fche oldest Pasfc Masters of thafc Lodge . He early joined Lodge Prudence , 2069 , and in both Lodges his death is felfc as a severe loss . In Craft , Arch , and Mark Masonry Bro . Craig was an adept , as well as in some of the side degrees . He
was Past Prov . Grand Deacon of West Yorkshire , and held corresponding honour in Provincial Grand Chapter . As a ritualist he held a very high position , and has coached more young Masons in his time than any other Brother . Some years ago he was afflicted by temporary
disease , and his greatest solace afc fchafc time , as he frequently confessed , was to repeat the ritual , and so proficient did he become fchafc in his later years his house was fche welcome rendezvous of those anxious to acquire either Craft or Arch working . In every good work ,
whether in Masonry or out of it , he was ever to the fore . His charity , indeed , knew no bounds , save those of prudence . His death has left Freemasonry in Leeds very much the poorer , and his memory will long be cherished by those who knew and loved him well . Tho
Brethren in his Mother Lodge and the Prudence sent wreaths , which adorned his coffin on the way to its last resting place . He has left an example which will stimulate the younger Masons in their pathway through life , and that
is the best monument our dear departed Brother would have desired . To know him was to love him indeed , and now he is no more , to emulate his good example will bo the ambition of his sorrowing brothers . Eeqaiescat in pace .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the "Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
FULL COSTUME
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your leader in last week ' s issue , under the title or caption of Masonic Pantomime , is deserving of the consideration of all earnest brethren under the English Constitution of Free and Accepted Masons , particularly at . the present moment , wheu
amongst other innovations that of introducing Royal Arch Regalia iuto Craft Lodges appears to be seriously intended . Tho particulars you narrato in connection with the ridiculous exhibition in the Missouri Lodge , No . 1 , at St . Louis , may yet be paralleled in some English Lodgea unless the firm hand of authority is exercised ,
to stop at once the pestilent introduction of unrecognised regalia and personal adornment whicb , at one and the same time , expose ihe inordinate vanity of the wearer and his ignorance of the true meaning of speculative Freemasonry and its symbols . The thin end of the wedge is alrondv ioserted . Grand Officers of
the " Supreme Order of the lloly Royal Arch " now appear , here and then ** - , with their R . A . collars and distinctive emblems surrouudiug tboir Craft regalia , and Companirns of the Order "sport" their sii ^ hes and badges , and no one calls thorn to account * -. Individually I agree with every word you have written in your
leader on the subject—every word but one . Yon u * - > e the expression , " More honourable than tho Star , Garter , or any other Order in existence . " May I ask what Order of the "Star" you refer to ? I know of no Order so entitled , past or present , which can have been , or is connected with Freomasonry . Yours faithfully and fraternally , JAMES S TEVES , Catford , 3 rd Fob . 1801 .