Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
Solomon ' s Temple , yet it was long after that when St . Allan * , the proto-martyr of England , along with Christianity introduced Masonry . To the Romans , indeed , our ancestors owe the origin of useful learning amongst them , which made a very good exchange for the loss of their freedom ; for Ccesar in his Commentary tells us , that the Britons had no walled towns nor houses , but only fortified their dwellings with woodsandmarsh . es : but when after that our first Saxon kingshaving
, thrown off the barbarous ignorance of Paganism , were , by the light of the Gospel , more civilized , and shewn the usefulness of arts and sciences , this of ours answering the necessary end of self-preservation , as well as grandeur and devotion , must be allowed to be first sought after j and though Old Veruiam -j-, since called St . Alban ' s , may justly claim precedency as the first-built town in Britain , yet you know we can
boast that the first Grand Lodge ever held in England was held in this city ; where Edtuin J , the first Christian king of the Northumbers , abcut the six hundredth year after Christ , and who laid the foundation of our cathedral § , sat as Grand Master . This is sufficient to mak ^ . us dispute the superiority with the Lodges at London : but as nought of that kind ought to be amongst so amicable a Fraternity , we are
content that they enjoy the title of Grand Master of England ; but the Toiius Anglice we claim as our undoubted rig ht . And here 1 have a fair opportunity to enlarge upon those encomiums due to ' our present GRAND MASTER , whose regard for his office , proficiency ir . the science , and his great munificence shewn to the Society , can never be forgotten ; Manat alta mente repostum : we must all acknowledge him to be the foundation-stone of its present and
growing grandeur . But his command prevents me from proceeding in this . Mr . DEPUTY MASTER has likewise executed his office throughout the whole year with great pains " and industry ; and every particular member of the Lodge owes him all imaginable gratitude for it . For my Brother Warden and myself , I leave our conduct to your own judgment : our accounts have been examined ; and we hope we have
not any ways wronged the great trust you reposed in us . A word of advice , or two , and I have done . To you , my brethren , the Working Masons , I recommend carefully to peruse our constitu 4 tions : there are in them excellent rules laid down 'for your conduct , and I need not insist upon them here . ¦ To you that are of other trades and occupations , and have the honour
to be admitted into this society , I speak thus : first , mind the business of your calling : let not Masonry so far get the ascendant as to make you neglect the support of your . elves and families . You cannot be so absurd as to think that a taylor , when admitted a Freemason , is able
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Speech
Solomon ' s Temple , yet it was long after that when St . Allan * , the proto-martyr of England , along with Christianity introduced Masonry . To the Romans , indeed , our ancestors owe the origin of useful learning amongst them , which made a very good exchange for the loss of their freedom ; for Ccesar in his Commentary tells us , that the Britons had no walled towns nor houses , but only fortified their dwellings with woodsandmarsh . es : but when after that our first Saxon kingshaving
, thrown off the barbarous ignorance of Paganism , were , by the light of the Gospel , more civilized , and shewn the usefulness of arts and sciences , this of ours answering the necessary end of self-preservation , as well as grandeur and devotion , must be allowed to be first sought after j and though Old Veruiam -j-, since called St . Alban ' s , may justly claim precedency as the first-built town in Britain , yet you know we can
boast that the first Grand Lodge ever held in England was held in this city ; where Edtuin J , the first Christian king of the Northumbers , abcut the six hundredth year after Christ , and who laid the foundation of our cathedral § , sat as Grand Master . This is sufficient to mak ^ . us dispute the superiority with the Lodges at London : but as nought of that kind ought to be amongst so amicable a Fraternity , we are
content that they enjoy the title of Grand Master of England ; but the Toiius Anglice we claim as our undoubted rig ht . And here 1 have a fair opportunity to enlarge upon those encomiums due to ' our present GRAND MASTER , whose regard for his office , proficiency ir . the science , and his great munificence shewn to the Society , can never be forgotten ; Manat alta mente repostum : we must all acknowledge him to be the foundation-stone of its present and
growing grandeur . But his command prevents me from proceeding in this . Mr . DEPUTY MASTER has likewise executed his office throughout the whole year with great pains " and industry ; and every particular member of the Lodge owes him all imaginable gratitude for it . For my Brother Warden and myself , I leave our conduct to your own judgment : our accounts have been examined ; and we hope we have
not any ways wronged the great trust you reposed in us . A word of advice , or two , and I have done . To you , my brethren , the Working Masons , I recommend carefully to peruse our constitu 4 tions : there are in them excellent rules laid down 'for your conduct , and I need not insist upon them here . ¦ To you that are of other trades and occupations , and have the honour
to be admitted into this society , I speak thus : first , mind the business of your calling : let not Masonry so far get the ascendant as to make you neglect the support of your . elves and families . You cannot be so absurd as to think that a taylor , when admitted a Freemason , is able