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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUFFOLK. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUFFOLK. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
"The Lord who made heaven and earth ; " and all who range under onr banners , in the various countries of tho world , whet her Christians like ourselves , or whether Jews or Parsees , or others who worship the "One God , " would each and all admit , that we , as His creatures , need daily to look to Him for help . In addressing you , my brethren , to-day , in this Christian temple , I speak to yon as fellow Christians .
as well as fellow Masons , for snch , by your attendance , you profess yourselves to be . In onr Christian faith wo all acknowledge three persons in the Blessed Trinity , and I wonld remind you that it is the second person in that Trinity of whom it is specially said , in John i . 3 , " All things wero made by Him , and without Him was n-1 anything made that was made . " Accordingly in the Nicene Creed we are
taught to profess as our belief , not only that God the F'ther Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth , and of all things visible and invisible , bat also in one Lord Jesus Christ , by whom all things were made . So , in the few remarks which I am abont to mako on this portion of God's Word , I want you to remember that it is not onl y God the Father , whom bv our sins we have
grieved and offended , yet who is longing to receive us as His children by adoption and grace , to whom we may look for help , both in our temporal necessities and our spiritual wants , but also God the Sononr Elder Brother—He who took our nature , and knows its weakness . He who was in all points tempted like as wo are , yet without sin . What encouragement this gives us to come to Him for help . But
first it is necessary that I should ask this question—Do you feel your need of help ? Our text implies that the Psalmist did , and not' only realised his need , but sought and found the help be required . This is throughout a psalm of praise for some signal deliverance ; notice the expressions it contains : " If it had not been the Lord who was on our side , when men rose up against us : then they had swallowed
us op quick , when their wrath was kindled against us . Blessed be the Lord , who hath not given ns as a prey to their teeth . Our soul is escaped as a . bird out of the snare of the fowlers : the snare is broken , and we are escaped . " Have you never seen a bird , escaped from a cage or trap , mounting higher and higher toward the sky , and pouring forth , as ifc soars , its joyous song of liberty ? Just so tho exult .
ing Psalmist here concludes , as the reason for their victory— " Onr help is in the name of the Lord , who made heaven and earth . " We , my brethren , have just as much need of divine assistance as the Psalmist had . We need help in our temporal affairs . How glad we often are to turn to a friend or neighbour in any difficulty or emergency—and , as Masons , tho duty of mutual help and support is especially urged
upon us—or we need advice , and are glad to go to some one who , from experience or education , ia better able to form a judgment for ns than we are for ourselves . But all this human help may fail . The weight may be too great to be moved even with assistance ; the work may require more time than others may be able or willing to spend in aiding us , or our difficulties may be so great that the best
advice we can get does not meet onr case . Thus , even our temporal needs require more than human help . But , above all , have we not all spiritual needs ? By nature we are lost and mined , we are in the position of condemned rebels . We want , then , first of all , pardon and salva'ion . This is , indeed , the greatest of all human needs—help to deliver ns from the just consequences of onr sin .
But that is not all . We further require to be saved from sin , as well as from condemnation . We need daily—nay , momentary—help to enable us to overcome sin , to resist all the various allurements that would tnrn us aside from the right way . In » h > rt , there is not one among us who , after a candid examination of his own heart , can assert that ho needs no help . On tho contrary , we must all confess
that our wants are great , aud that wo require help in cases where human aid would be of no avail whatever . How can any earthly friend save us from the anger of an offended God , or enable us successfully to resist temptation ? We mighfc well despair if our deliverance from hell and our meetness for heaven depended upon oar own unassisted efforts , or such help as we could get from our
sinful fellow mortals . But , blessed be God , none need despair , for every one of us may obtain an all-sufficient help . I ask you the question—Whero ? from whom ? For the answer turn to our text , and learn that " our help is in the name of the Lord . " It is God Himself , the God against whom we have rebelled , who has stooped
from all His majesty and glory to effect a means of reconciliation and pardon . He has planned and finished the work of our salvation , and is now ready and willing to help all who will accept His aid . It is offered freely and fully . Our Lord Jesns Himself assures us of this in that most blessed verse , " ' God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son , that whosoever believoth in Him should not perish , but have everlasting life . " I would further direct your attention to the guarantee which is given in the text , that this help is all sufficient . It is implied iu the words , " who made heaven and earth . " The argument is , shortly , this : —The God to whom wo may look for help is the Great Architect of the Universe—the Creator
of heaven and earth , and of all things visible and invisible . Therefore , He can do all things . He said , " Let there be light , " and there was light . He planned and formed this beautiful earth on which we , ' He adorned it with trees and flowers , and furnished it with all tlie living creatures . And He is nofc only the Creator , but also the Preserver . It is He who gives to His creatures life and breath , and all
things . If , then , my brethren , this God is onr helper , what can we havo to fear ? Snre ' ly , as St . Paul says , " He is able to do for us exceeding abundantly , above all that we can ask or think . " I trust that many of you , my hearers to-day , have been taught by the Holy Spirit to know your own weakness and helplessness , aud yon have given np the attempt to do without God ' s help in urgent and imurtant
l matters . For instance , you no longer trust in your own Righteousness , but accept God ' s way of salvation by the * blood of Jesus ; but do yon always look to Him for help in little things ? tie permits you to do so . He wonld have you take to Him all yonr aity cares and worries , your every trial and trouble . If we only an a firmer and clearer belief in " God ' s power and willingness to assist and guide ns in little things , our lives would be far smoother no happier , and we should bo far more often found emulating the
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
angelic employment of praising God . But can it be , my brethren , tVmt , any here spurn this proffered help : tnrn away from this outstretched hand ? If so , oh think what it is that you are doing . There is no other aid sufficient , ; iCyon refuse God ' s help , you must inevitably perish . I pray God that this brief word of exhortation which it has been my privilege to address to you this afternoon may
prove not to have been spoken in vain , but that we may all realise moro fnlly , first , our need of help—help to bear tho daily cares and frictions of this earthly life , and also deliverance from tho condomna . tion and tho power of sin . And then , when wo thus feel onr urgent need , that we may realise as fully the blessed truth that " our help is in fhe name of tlie Lord , who made heaven and earth , " and knowing
this , that wo may both praise Him for past victories , and bo enoourag « d to trust Him ivholly , and to trust Him only , for the rest of our earthly course . The concluding hymn was , "Oh Lord of heaven and earth and sea . " The singing of the choir , nnder the able Precentor , Mr . J . C . Mills , met with general commendation , and fully deserved tho praise so
freely bestowed by those who attended . The collection after the service resnlted in the sum of £ 6 10 s 8 d being contributed ; this is to be presented in aid of tho funds of tho St . Leonard ' s Hospital , an Institution local to tho borough . The brethren returned in procession to the Lodge Hoom afc tho Town Hall , when Grand Lodgo was resumed . We shonld add that the brethren of tho Stour Valley
( Sudbury ) Lodge , made suitable preparations , and fitted np tho assembly room in a most chaste style , a large platform being erected across the room , with steps and throne for the P . G . M . and P . G . Officers . The ancient carved chairs and furniture of tho Lodge were used , the floor being carpeted , and pictures placed on the walls . It will be noticed the W . M . of this Lodge , Bro . R . D . Jones , received
the collar of P . G . S . W . We may also say the number present was unusually large , more than at any Grand Lodge held in the Province for several years . The banquet was supplied , at the IJose and Crown Hotel , by Mrs . Hansell , and considering the large number who attended , tho worthy hostess deserves unqualified praise for the way in which she served
the repast . There was an ample supply of the good things of this life , and a readiness to consult the wishes of her guests predominated . On the removal of the cloth , the Prey . Grand Master proposed the first toast—the health of the first lady in the land—the Patroness of onr Order—Her Most Gracions Majesty the Queen . After the National Anthem , the Prov . Grand Master called on the brethren to
drink the health of the Most Worshipful tho Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . This toast was most heartily received , and " God bless the Prince of Wales" was sung by the professional brethren who had been engaged for the occasion . Lord Waveney next called upon the brethren to drink the health of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand
Officers Present and Past , and with the toast he coupled the name of Bro . William Clarke Assistant Grand Pursuivant of England for the year . After a capital song—" Vanity" —well rendered by Bro . A . Hubbard , Bro . W . Clarke replied , gracefully acknowledging the compliment paid him in having his name associated with the toast . Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn P . D . G . M . rose to propose the next
toast—the health of tho Prov . Grand Master of Suffolk , the Right Hon . Lord Waveney . Bro . Martyn referred , in sympathetic terras , to the accident that had so lately befallen their esteemed Prov . Grand Master , and hnmoronsly recapitulated the statements so libcral ' y put forth ns to the extent of the injuries sustained by his Lordship , and congratulated the Province , as well as Lord VVaveney , ou
his being able to attend their meeting that day . The toast was drnnk with the utmo a fc enthusiasm , and after a good selection by tho musical party his Lordship roso to reply . After tendering hia thanks for the way in which his esteemed Deputy had introduced the toast , he cal'ed on the brethren to judge whether any material injury bad been done to his lungs—as had been reported—by the
way in which ho was able to address his assembled brethren . He assured them he fully appreciated the sympathy invoked on his behalf , and was grateful for the kindly feeling displayed on all sides . The Prov . G . Master next proposed , in very happy language , the health of the Depnty Grand Master and a hearty response was given to the toast . After the favourite song— " Down by the brook side , "
well sung by Bro . Ashton—Bro . Rav . 0 . J . Martyn responded . He thanked tho brethren for the reception given to the toast proposed by the Prov . G . Master . It was always a pleasure to serve under so genial a chief as Lord Waveney . Bro . Martyn referred to his heavy duties as a clergyman , and reminded the brethren that he felt ho must take into consideration the labours
devolving upon him , and hoped ho mighfc be excused if he stated that he felt bound to recognise the claims upon him in his clerical capacity as demanding priority over thoso pertaining to his Masonic functions . Bro . Martyn spoke exultingly as to the success of the clay , and called upon the brethren to overlook any shortcomings which resulted in the main from the fact that
the members of the entertaining Lodge had nofc been apprised of the demands for accommodation which wonld be made upon them . The remaining toasts comprised the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past , with wbich was associated the names of Bro . Jones Prov . S . G . W ., and Bro . Lucia Prov . Grand Secretary , to which compliment Bro . Jones replied , in the first instance , ancl then Bro .
Lncia added a few words of compliment and thanks to the meeting for the honour he had received . This was followed by the toast of " The Worshipfnl Masters of the Lodges in the Province , " to whom Lord Waveney paid a high compliment for the zeal and assiduity with which they discharged their important duties , and expressed himself as well pleased with the state of Freemasonry in Suffolk .
To this Bro . Cooke WM . of the Royal Clarence , No . 1 S 23 , was called upon to reply , and he remarked , at the ontsot , that , having regard to the fact of his being the Master of the youngest Lodge in the Province , he had little expected thafc the duty of responding would have devolved upon him . Still , if the compliment was unexpected , as he feared it was undeserved , the pleasure ot" haying his name
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
"The Lord who made heaven and earth ; " and all who range under onr banners , in the various countries of tho world , whet her Christians like ourselves , or whether Jews or Parsees , or others who worship the "One God , " would each and all admit , that we , as His creatures , need daily to look to Him for help . In addressing you , my brethren , to-day , in this Christian temple , I speak to yon as fellow Christians .
as well as fellow Masons , for snch , by your attendance , you profess yourselves to be . In onr Christian faith wo all acknowledge three persons in the Blessed Trinity , and I wonld remind you that it is the second person in that Trinity of whom it is specially said , in John i . 3 , " All things wero made by Him , and without Him was n-1 anything made that was made . " Accordingly in the Nicene Creed we are
taught to profess as our belief , not only that God the F'ther Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth , and of all things visible and invisible , bat also in one Lord Jesus Christ , by whom all things were made . So , in the few remarks which I am abont to mako on this portion of God's Word , I want you to remember that it is not onl y God the Father , whom bv our sins we have
grieved and offended , yet who is longing to receive us as His children by adoption and grace , to whom we may look for help , both in our temporal necessities and our spiritual wants , but also God the Sononr Elder Brother—He who took our nature , and knows its weakness . He who was in all points tempted like as wo are , yet without sin . What encouragement this gives us to come to Him for help . But
first it is necessary that I should ask this question—Do you feel your need of help ? Our text implies that the Psalmist did , and not' only realised his need , but sought and found the help be required . This is throughout a psalm of praise for some signal deliverance ; notice the expressions it contains : " If it had not been the Lord who was on our side , when men rose up against us : then they had swallowed
us op quick , when their wrath was kindled against us . Blessed be the Lord , who hath not given ns as a prey to their teeth . Our soul is escaped as a . bird out of the snare of the fowlers : the snare is broken , and we are escaped . " Have you never seen a bird , escaped from a cage or trap , mounting higher and higher toward the sky , and pouring forth , as ifc soars , its joyous song of liberty ? Just so tho exult .
ing Psalmist here concludes , as the reason for their victory— " Onr help is in the name of the Lord , who made heaven and earth . " We , my brethren , have just as much need of divine assistance as the Psalmist had . We need help in our temporal affairs . How glad we often are to turn to a friend or neighbour in any difficulty or emergency—and , as Masons , tho duty of mutual help and support is especially urged
upon us—or we need advice , and are glad to go to some one who , from experience or education , ia better able to form a judgment for ns than we are for ourselves . But all this human help may fail . The weight may be too great to be moved even with assistance ; the work may require more time than others may be able or willing to spend in aiding us , or our difficulties may be so great that the best
advice we can get does not meet onr case . Thus , even our temporal needs require more than human help . But , above all , have we not all spiritual needs ? By nature we are lost and mined , we are in the position of condemned rebels . We want , then , first of all , pardon and salva'ion . This is , indeed , the greatest of all human needs—help to deliver ns from the just consequences of onr sin .
But that is not all . We further require to be saved from sin , as well as from condemnation . We need daily—nay , momentary—help to enable us to overcome sin , to resist all the various allurements that would tnrn us aside from the right way . In » h > rt , there is not one among us who , after a candid examination of his own heart , can assert that ho needs no help . On tho contrary , we must all confess
that our wants are great , aud that wo require help in cases where human aid would be of no avail whatever . How can any earthly friend save us from the anger of an offended God , or enable us successfully to resist temptation ? We mighfc well despair if our deliverance from hell and our meetness for heaven depended upon oar own unassisted efforts , or such help as we could get from our
sinful fellow mortals . But , blessed be God , none need despair , for every one of us may obtain an all-sufficient help . I ask you the question—Whero ? from whom ? For the answer turn to our text , and learn that " our help is in the name of the Lord . " It is God Himself , the God against whom we have rebelled , who has stooped
from all His majesty and glory to effect a means of reconciliation and pardon . He has planned and finished the work of our salvation , and is now ready and willing to help all who will accept His aid . It is offered freely and fully . Our Lord Jesns Himself assures us of this in that most blessed verse , " ' God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son , that whosoever believoth in Him should not perish , but have everlasting life . " I would further direct your attention to the guarantee which is given in the text , that this help is all sufficient . It is implied iu the words , " who made heaven and earth . " The argument is , shortly , this : —The God to whom wo may look for help is the Great Architect of the Universe—the Creator
of heaven and earth , and of all things visible and invisible . Therefore , He can do all things . He said , " Let there be light , " and there was light . He planned and formed this beautiful earth on which we , ' He adorned it with trees and flowers , and furnished it with all tlie living creatures . And He is nofc only the Creator , but also the Preserver . It is He who gives to His creatures life and breath , and all
things . If , then , my brethren , this God is onr helper , what can we havo to fear ? Snre ' ly , as St . Paul says , " He is able to do for us exceeding abundantly , above all that we can ask or think . " I trust that many of you , my hearers to-day , have been taught by the Holy Spirit to know your own weakness and helplessness , aud yon have given np the attempt to do without God ' s help in urgent and imurtant
l matters . For instance , you no longer trust in your own Righteousness , but accept God ' s way of salvation by the * blood of Jesus ; but do yon always look to Him for help in little things ? tie permits you to do so . He wonld have you take to Him all yonr aity cares and worries , your every trial and trouble . If we only an a firmer and clearer belief in " God ' s power and willingness to assist and guide ns in little things , our lives would be far smoother no happier , and we should bo far more often found emulating the
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
angelic employment of praising God . But can it be , my brethren , tVmt , any here spurn this proffered help : tnrn away from this outstretched hand ? If so , oh think what it is that you are doing . There is no other aid sufficient , ; iCyon refuse God ' s help , you must inevitably perish . I pray God that this brief word of exhortation which it has been my privilege to address to you this afternoon may
prove not to have been spoken in vain , but that we may all realise moro fnlly , first , our need of help—help to bear tho daily cares and frictions of this earthly life , and also deliverance from tho condomna . tion and tho power of sin . And then , when wo thus feel onr urgent need , that we may realise as fully the blessed truth that " our help is in fhe name of tlie Lord , who made heaven and earth , " and knowing
this , that wo may both praise Him for past victories , and bo enoourag « d to trust Him ivholly , and to trust Him only , for the rest of our earthly course . The concluding hymn was , "Oh Lord of heaven and earth and sea . " The singing of the choir , nnder the able Precentor , Mr . J . C . Mills , met with general commendation , and fully deserved tho praise so
freely bestowed by those who attended . The collection after the service resnlted in the sum of £ 6 10 s 8 d being contributed ; this is to be presented in aid of tho funds of tho St . Leonard ' s Hospital , an Institution local to tho borough . The brethren returned in procession to the Lodge Hoom afc tho Town Hall , when Grand Lodgo was resumed . We shonld add that the brethren of tho Stour Valley
( Sudbury ) Lodge , made suitable preparations , and fitted np tho assembly room in a most chaste style , a large platform being erected across the room , with steps and throne for the P . G . M . and P . G . Officers . The ancient carved chairs and furniture of tho Lodge were used , the floor being carpeted , and pictures placed on the walls . It will be noticed the W . M . of this Lodge , Bro . R . D . Jones , received
the collar of P . G . S . W . We may also say the number present was unusually large , more than at any Grand Lodge held in the Province for several years . The banquet was supplied , at the IJose and Crown Hotel , by Mrs . Hansell , and considering the large number who attended , tho worthy hostess deserves unqualified praise for the way in which she served
the repast . There was an ample supply of the good things of this life , and a readiness to consult the wishes of her guests predominated . On the removal of the cloth , the Prey . Grand Master proposed the first toast—the health of the first lady in the land—the Patroness of onr Order—Her Most Gracions Majesty the Queen . After the National Anthem , the Prov . Grand Master called on the brethren to
drink the health of the Most Worshipful tho Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . This toast was most heartily received , and " God bless the Prince of Wales" was sung by the professional brethren who had been engaged for the occasion . Lord Waveney next called upon the brethren to drink the health of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand
Officers Present and Past , and with the toast he coupled the name of Bro . William Clarke Assistant Grand Pursuivant of England for the year . After a capital song—" Vanity" —well rendered by Bro . A . Hubbard , Bro . W . Clarke replied , gracefully acknowledging the compliment paid him in having his name associated with the toast . Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn P . D . G . M . rose to propose the next
toast—the health of tho Prov . Grand Master of Suffolk , the Right Hon . Lord Waveney . Bro . Martyn referred , in sympathetic terras , to the accident that had so lately befallen their esteemed Prov . Grand Master , and hnmoronsly recapitulated the statements so libcral ' y put forth ns to the extent of the injuries sustained by his Lordship , and congratulated the Province , as well as Lord VVaveney , ou
his being able to attend their meeting that day . The toast was drnnk with the utmo a fc enthusiasm , and after a good selection by tho musical party his Lordship roso to reply . After tendering hia thanks for the way in which his esteemed Deputy had introduced the toast , he cal'ed on the brethren to judge whether any material injury bad been done to his lungs—as had been reported—by the
way in which ho was able to address his assembled brethren . He assured them he fully appreciated the sympathy invoked on his behalf , and was grateful for the kindly feeling displayed on all sides . The Prov . G . Master next proposed , in very happy language , the health of the Depnty Grand Master and a hearty response was given to the toast . After the favourite song— " Down by the brook side , "
well sung by Bro . Ashton—Bro . Rav . 0 . J . Martyn responded . He thanked tho brethren for the reception given to the toast proposed by the Prov . G . Master . It was always a pleasure to serve under so genial a chief as Lord Waveney . Bro . Martyn referred to his heavy duties as a clergyman , and reminded the brethren that he felt ho must take into consideration the labours
devolving upon him , and hoped ho mighfc be excused if he stated that he felt bound to recognise the claims upon him in his clerical capacity as demanding priority over thoso pertaining to his Masonic functions . Bro . Martyn spoke exultingly as to the success of the clay , and called upon the brethren to overlook any shortcomings which resulted in the main from the fact that
the members of the entertaining Lodge had nofc been apprised of the demands for accommodation which wonld be made upon them . The remaining toasts comprised the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past , with wbich was associated the names of Bro . Jones Prov . S . G . W ., and Bro . Lucia Prov . Grand Secretary , to which compliment Bro . Jones replied , in the first instance , ancl then Bro .
Lncia added a few words of compliment and thanks to the meeting for the honour he had received . This was followed by the toast of " The Worshipfnl Masters of the Lodges in the Province , " to whom Lord Waveney paid a high compliment for the zeal and assiduity with which they discharged their important duties , and expressed himself as well pleased with the state of Freemasonry in Suffolk .
To this Bro . Cooke WM . of the Royal Clarence , No . 1 S 23 , was called upon to reply , and he remarked , at the ontsot , that , having regard to the fact of his being the Master of the youngest Lodge in the Province , he had little expected thafc the duty of responding would have devolved upon him . Still , if the compliment was unexpected , as he feared it was undeserved , the pleasure ot" haying his name