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Article MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. ← Page 5 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Intelligence.
As we before stated , the offering was raised upon an elevation behind the Chair , and covered with a white cloth ; the recess in which it was placed was covered with purple cloth , and a vast body of light was thrown upon the spot . AVhen his lordship presented the little volume descriptive of the offering , to his Royal Highness , Brothers Crucefix and Norris , who supported the drapery , suddenly withdrew it , and the offering burst into view amidst general approbation Lord John Churchill was much
. affected while reading the Address , ancl the honoured object of its acceptance betrayed considerable emotion . The Committee were ranged behind the Chair , so as to face the company . After the applause had subsided , His ROYAL HIGHNESS rose . — " Brother R . W . Deputy Grand Master , Provincial Grand Masters , Officers of the Grand Loclge , and Brethren , 1 rise uncier feelings of intense interest , and , if I may use the expression , amid a warfare c-f feelings , to
utter my humble ancl sincere thanks for the kindness evinced to me on the present occasion . It is not the trifle that is offered , but the sensation it has produced , which affects me ; it is of a mingled nature , and consequently very difficult to express . " Surrounded by so many faces , seeing so many kind friends , and yet marking vacancies , crowded as the tables are , which cast a shade upon thoughtit is impossible to feel livelor that I should myself
, very y , express as I ought . You have kindly noticed the past period of twenty-five years—aye , to me twenty-five years of great anxiety— -I have presided over you with fidelity , yet sometimes with feelings of oppression . Your kindness has given vigour , and I feel renovated ; ancl from that kindness I have derived my confidence . In my career I have met with
many and severe trials , trials to which human nature ought to be exposed , and which , as a Mason , it was my duty to bear up against . I have observed many a kind head has been laid low , and my account must be rendered up . On the mercy of God I have ever relied , and in the rectitude of my conscience I shall lay my head down in peace . That is a subject which every morning a Mason ought to call to mind when he supplicates his Maker , and when he closes his eyes . " When the profanewho do not know our mysteriesare carried
, , away by prejudice , and do not acknowledge the value of our Society , let them , by our conduct , learn , that a good Mason is a good moral man , and as such will not trifle with his obligation . " The principles of morality 1 am bound to enforce , and did I not , I should betray the confidence you repose in me . For myself , I want no compliment , no favour . Deeply as I am indebted to the Brethren , yet 1 could not receive a compliment out of the fund of the Grancl Locl
ge . Twice I have refused that compliment because that is a public property , to be appropriated to Masonic matters only , and it would be highly incorrect to encroach upon it in any other way ; ancl if one farthing of it is touched for any other purpose than that of charity , you would be wanting in your duty . The Brethren then listened to me , and the matter dropped . I , however , stated , that if at some future period a spontaneous ancl united offer of a complimentnot taken from the public
, fund , was decided upon , after twenty-five years of service , I should not object . The Duke of Sussex , in accepting this offering , cannot be accused of robbing the poor Alason of a single penny . Arriving at the twenty-fifth year of my presidency , it is a warning to me how I am placed .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Intelligence.
As we before stated , the offering was raised upon an elevation behind the Chair , and covered with a white cloth ; the recess in which it was placed was covered with purple cloth , and a vast body of light was thrown upon the spot . AVhen his lordship presented the little volume descriptive of the offering , to his Royal Highness , Brothers Crucefix and Norris , who supported the drapery , suddenly withdrew it , and the offering burst into view amidst general approbation Lord John Churchill was much
. affected while reading the Address , ancl the honoured object of its acceptance betrayed considerable emotion . The Committee were ranged behind the Chair , so as to face the company . After the applause had subsided , His ROYAL HIGHNESS rose . — " Brother R . W . Deputy Grand Master , Provincial Grand Masters , Officers of the Grand Loclge , and Brethren , 1 rise uncier feelings of intense interest , and , if I may use the expression , amid a warfare c-f feelings , to
utter my humble ancl sincere thanks for the kindness evinced to me on the present occasion . It is not the trifle that is offered , but the sensation it has produced , which affects me ; it is of a mingled nature , and consequently very difficult to express . " Surrounded by so many faces , seeing so many kind friends , and yet marking vacancies , crowded as the tables are , which cast a shade upon thoughtit is impossible to feel livelor that I should myself
, very y , express as I ought . You have kindly noticed the past period of twenty-five years—aye , to me twenty-five years of great anxiety— -I have presided over you with fidelity , yet sometimes with feelings of oppression . Your kindness has given vigour , and I feel renovated ; ancl from that kindness I have derived my confidence . In my career I have met with
many and severe trials , trials to which human nature ought to be exposed , and which , as a Mason , it was my duty to bear up against . I have observed many a kind head has been laid low , and my account must be rendered up . On the mercy of God I have ever relied , and in the rectitude of my conscience I shall lay my head down in peace . That is a subject which every morning a Mason ought to call to mind when he supplicates his Maker , and when he closes his eyes . " When the profanewho do not know our mysteriesare carried
, , away by prejudice , and do not acknowledge the value of our Society , let them , by our conduct , learn , that a good Mason is a good moral man , and as such will not trifle with his obligation . " The principles of morality 1 am bound to enforce , and did I not , I should betray the confidence you repose in me . For myself , I want no compliment , no favour . Deeply as I am indebted to the Brethren , yet 1 could not receive a compliment out of the fund of the Grancl Locl
ge . Twice I have refused that compliment because that is a public property , to be appropriated to Masonic matters only , and it would be highly incorrect to encroach upon it in any other way ; ancl if one farthing of it is touched for any other purpose than that of charity , you would be wanting in your duty . The Brethren then listened to me , and the matter dropped . I , however , stated , that if at some future period a spontaneous ancl united offer of a complimentnot taken from the public
, fund , was decided upon , after twenty-five years of service , I should not object . The Duke of Sussex , in accepting this offering , cannot be accused of robbing the poor Alason of a single penny . Arriving at the twenty-fifth year of my presidency , it is a warning to me how I am placed .