Centenary: Royal, No. 207.

ful Sir , and members of the Royal Lodge , for fche invitation through which I am present . In the course of a Governor ' s administration there must be always certain difficulties , because so long as the human mind is so constituted fchey must think differently and there

must be differences of opinion . But ib is a greab solace to any man weighted with the responsibility that must always rest on the shoulders of a person in my position to feel that he has the sympathy and the Brotherly Love of a number of his Brothers of the ancient Craft in the

island . It makes one ' s duties more easy , it makes one ' s life more happy . I accept with gratitude the offer of the honorary membership you have so gracefully and kindly

tendered me . I look upon it as a great honour that the Brethren of the Craft has shown such a strong feeling of Brotherly Love in asking me to become more intimately associated with the ancient Craft in Jamaica .

Lodge was subsequently closed and the Brethren adjourned to banquet , about 300 sitting down . ' The usual toasts were afterwards given , Bro . MacGlashan responding to that of the District Grand Master and District Grand Lodge of Jamaica . He esteemed

himself fortunate in having the opportunity , for he felt that a measure of glory descended on him for the accidental circumstances of being the District Grand Master at the time when the Royal Lodge completed its Centenary . He was also fortunate in being the Grand Master the

first time thafc an opportunity had been given the Craft of welcoming so distinguished a Brother amongst them as was their illustrious guest of that evening . His Excellency had been the only Governor that had done Freemasonry the honour of attending its

cere-. It had been his effort , and he thought he would congratulate himself that he had succeeded , that the charge which had rested with him and the responsibility of selecting the Grand Officers from time to time had

resulted in the administration by a body of Grand Officers of whom the District had never had reason to be ashamed . Ever since he had occupied his position the Officers of the District Graud Lodge had always been received in so cordial and kindly a manner aa to make

him feel confident that the discretion he had exercised to the best of his ability had obtained the approval of the Brethren . Bro . Cox proposed the toast of the Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland .

They all regretted the absence of the Hon . S . C . Burke , but they had an able representative in Bro . Duff , whose interest in Freemasonry might be equalled , but could not be surpassed .

Bro . Duff said fchafc the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland and the whole Scottish Fraternity in Jamaica had a very kindly feeling to all that obtained to the English Lodges , and had the satisfaction that day of joining with them in rejoicing in their Centenary celebration .

Bro . Leon had much pleasure in proposing a toast to their distinguished Brother and visitor , Sir H . A . Blake . Sir Henry entered the hearts of Masons on the threshold of the Government of the Island of Jamaica , and the

Brethren of the Craffc had realised the fact that evening by His Excellency having given himself the opportunity of entering into their feelings and signifying that he was a Brother in every respect . Sir Henry Blake responded . He had not much to say but would like to ask a question and a very pithy

one . What are you doing for Masonry ? Ali knew the cardinal virtues of Masonry , the peace , love and harmony , the faith and hope , and above all things the Charity that characterises the Brethren of the Craft in every part of the world . They knew that men might be

divided by section , by creeds , by opinions or by race , but all these people of different race or different sects could be joined under the beautiful banner of Charity , and extend their hand in Brotherly love in bearing it aloft . He would ask therefore , what was Masonry

doing especially in that particular direction in which the Charity of Masons has keen directed in older countries ? What were they doing with Education ? Of all ways in which Masons and the Brethren of the Craft could assist the people the greatest assistance they could give was in making the families of Masons feel that fckerewas a real

Centenary: Royal, No. 207.

Brotherhood , and if in the chances of life , unfortunately , fate should knock them down , at least a man might feel his children , left to the care and Brotherly love of Masons , might receive some advantages . Therefore , if they would allow him to diverge a little in returning

thanks for the health which had been proposed , he would strongly advise fchem to put fcheir shoulders together and see in what way some worthy effort might be made by the various Lodges so they might secure a certain sum to be devoted to the education of the children of poorer

Brethren . ( Hear , hear ) . They all said " Hear , hear , " and he was glad to hear ifc , but how much did they feel it ? He felt ifc £ 10 . ( Hear , hear ) . He should like to open a subscription by placing that sum in the hands of the Masonic head . He thought it would be a fund

useful to the Craft in Jamaica . He was grateful for the evident warmth with which they had received the toast . He knew he had a good many friends in Jamaica at the end of five years , but he did not know until he came

there that night that he had so many Brethren . Bro . MacGlashan thanked Sir Henry Blake for the proposal . It reminded him of a meeting he attended in

the United States . The chairman got up , and it was a considerable shock to his nerves when he asked for subscriptions of $ 2 , 000 each , three or four names fco be

given in . Then the chairman said " let me see how much you can do at $ 1 , 500 " and he went on in thafc way till subscriptions of $ 1 were handed in . He , the speaker , waited till the plate came rouud . In this case he would say he was willing fco add a fiver fco this most

laudable object . Bro . Leon said on behalf of the Royal Lodge he would pledge £ 10 , and for himself £ 5 .

Other toasts followed , including the prosperity of the Royal Lodge , the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , the Sister Lodges , and the visiting Brethren . —" Jamaica Gleaner . "

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