Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
A SPEECH
DELIVERED TO THE WORSHIPFUL AND ANCIENT SOCIETY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS ; , At a GkAND LODGE , held at Merchant ' s Hall , in the City of York , on St . John ' s Day , December 27 , 1726 . THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL CHARLES BATHURST , Esq .. GRAND-MASTER . BY THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN .
Olim meminisse juvabit . TO DANIEL ' DRAPER , ESQ ;_ DEAR BXOTHER , THAT this discourse sees the light , is chiefly owing to your candid reception of it at the rehearsal . I can no where , therefore , pitch upon a patron more interested ( 1 may say ) in its protection . A superior command has since wrung it from me ; and ,
as I hope you will bear me witness , with reluctancy enough . I am sorry to say , that I am afraid the Lodge has trusted too much to your judgment , though that exceeds mine as far as an extempore harangue can a studied speech . Sin ' ce I mean it entirely for the good of my brethren , I am no ways in pain what the rest of the world shall think of it j because wc a ! l know none but a Mason can thoroughly understand it . It is hard we have but a negative to all the invectives , daily bestowed upon us ; and yet , as mens sihi conscia recti , silence is the best way of answering those angry sophis . ers , who because they cannot ' unloose the knot , v .-ou . ld gladly cut it
asunder . And now I , as the Lodge's proper officer , am ordered in this public lhanner to return you their unfeigned thanks for the great honour you have twice done them ; and I should very much wrong their trust to neglect it . I should now also go on , according to the constant practice of epistles dedicatory , to say some very fine things without sense or meaning : but as flattery is no ways inherent to Masonry , as a Brother , pardon me if I only say this , that we know a genius , which , were it placed in a proper station for its exertion deservedly its due , might not only be a credit to the Fraternity in particular , but an honour to our whole country , " . And stand the foremost in the rank of fame . " I am , Sir , ever cordially yours .
RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND-MASTER , AND BRETHREN , YOU , Sir , and all of you , know , that I have had the honour to bear the office of one of the Grand-Wardens to this Society for this last year ; and b y that office I am not only particularl y obliged to take care that , during my administration , neither the revenues nor the arcana .-i & f * the Lodge be either embezzled or exposed to vulgar eyes ; but I do think
it also my duty , before I resign my place , at least , Sir , since I have your commands for it , to remind you of some things relating to human society in general , as well as to this our most antient Lodge in particular " . How unequal a task I'have taken upon myself , will , I am afraid , but too evidently appear b y the sequel . A young brother
pretendmpto dictate on two such sublime subjects to older and wiser heads than his own , can admit of no excuse but that I have just now mentioned . : I would not in this be thought to derogate from the dignity of my office , which , as the learned Verstegan observes , is a title of trust and power , Warden and Guardian being synonymous terms ; yet , as . you are no strangers to public assemblies , and cannot but observe the awe they VOL . II , . Ss
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
A SPEECH
DELIVERED TO THE WORSHIPFUL AND ANCIENT SOCIETY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS ; , At a GkAND LODGE , held at Merchant ' s Hall , in the City of York , on St . John ' s Day , December 27 , 1726 . THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL CHARLES BATHURST , Esq .. GRAND-MASTER . BY THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN .
Olim meminisse juvabit . TO DANIEL ' DRAPER , ESQ ;_ DEAR BXOTHER , THAT this discourse sees the light , is chiefly owing to your candid reception of it at the rehearsal . I can no where , therefore , pitch upon a patron more interested ( 1 may say ) in its protection . A superior command has since wrung it from me ; and ,
as I hope you will bear me witness , with reluctancy enough . I am sorry to say , that I am afraid the Lodge has trusted too much to your judgment , though that exceeds mine as far as an extempore harangue can a studied speech . Sin ' ce I mean it entirely for the good of my brethren , I am no ways in pain what the rest of the world shall think of it j because wc a ! l know none but a Mason can thoroughly understand it . It is hard we have but a negative to all the invectives , daily bestowed upon us ; and yet , as mens sihi conscia recti , silence is the best way of answering those angry sophis . ers , who because they cannot ' unloose the knot , v .-ou . ld gladly cut it
asunder . And now I , as the Lodge's proper officer , am ordered in this public lhanner to return you their unfeigned thanks for the great honour you have twice done them ; and I should very much wrong their trust to neglect it . I should now also go on , according to the constant practice of epistles dedicatory , to say some very fine things without sense or meaning : but as flattery is no ways inherent to Masonry , as a Brother , pardon me if I only say this , that we know a genius , which , were it placed in a proper station for its exertion deservedly its due , might not only be a credit to the Fraternity in particular , but an honour to our whole country , " . And stand the foremost in the rank of fame . " I am , Sir , ever cordially yours .
RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND-MASTER , AND BRETHREN , YOU , Sir , and all of you , know , that I have had the honour to bear the office of one of the Grand-Wardens to this Society for this last year ; and b y that office I am not only particularl y obliged to take care that , during my administration , neither the revenues nor the arcana .-i & f * the Lodge be either embezzled or exposed to vulgar eyes ; but I do think
it also my duty , before I resign my place , at least , Sir , since I have your commands for it , to remind you of some things relating to human society in general , as well as to this our most antient Lodge in particular " . How unequal a task I'have taken upon myself , will , I am afraid , but too evidently appear b y the sequel . A young brother
pretendmpto dictate on two such sublime subjects to older and wiser heads than his own , can admit of no excuse but that I have just now mentioned . : I would not in this be thought to derogate from the dignity of my office , which , as the learned Verstegan observes , is a title of trust and power , Warden and Guardian being synonymous terms ; yet , as . you are no strangers to public assemblies , and cannot but observe the awe they VOL . II , . Ss