Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign.
the state of Masonry in general at this Presidency . At that time , owing to some unaccountable cause , Masonry had fallen into disrepute : No . 1 , was so thin in numbers that we could hardl y fill the several offices of the Lodge ; the ranks of the Grand Lodge were proportionably reduced ; our communications with England had become irregular and unsatisfactory ; our charitable subscriptions had decreased to such an extent , that it was with difficulty we could answer the most pressing calls of
distress;—in short , the pure flame of Masonry languished , and must have expired altogether , had it not been for the unremitting exertions of three ef the best Masons that ever lived , AV . Brothers Lys and M'Donell , and our departed Brother Gordon , whose merits deserve a more lasting memorial than my humble praise . How truly gratifying a contrast does the picture of the present moment present . Our Lodge is now equal in numbers , respectability , and intelligence , to any in the world ; the Grand
Lodge has been recruited from our ranks ; our charitable funds have improved ; and Masonry flourishes as prosperously as its most ardent admirer could desire . I firmly believe that the revival of our Lodge has been attended with the most beneficial results , not only to its own members , but to others unconnected with it . To its members it has not only afforded the means of moral and intellectual improvement in the prosecution of the duties of the Craftbut it has strengthened the social
inter-, course of society by enabling its members to enjoy conviviality tempered by kindly and brotherly feeling . I will not go the length of saying that our Lodge has put a stop to all quarrels among its members—that would be too much to expect from fallen man—but I have reason to know it has been the happy instrument of making up differences , which without
it would have remained unsettled to the present hour . To others , particularly to Masons in distress , it has proved of essential service—I cannot avoid mentioning one case , that of a shipwrecked French captain , who was enabled , through the individual subscriptions of our members , to prosecute his profession , and he is now sailing the seas in command of a ship , thanking God , if he has the heart of a man , for having made him a Mason . Let the enemies of Freemasonry say or think what they
will , I cannot but feel a pride in belonging to an institution which , whatever may have been its origin , could produce such truly Christian results as these . I cannot hel p here adverting to the calumnies which have been fulminated against us in the public prints by some writers , in which our Order has been stigmatised as unchristian , in the worst sense of the word . I am aware that these attacks are hardl y deserving of notice , as coining from persons who only expose their ignorance by
censuring what they cannot understand ; but I think they might have the charity to . judge of the tree by its fruits . Following this test , I might ask , is it the principle of pure morality inculcated in our ceremoniesis it the brotherl y love we cherish—is it the charity we preach and practise , which make us unchristian ? because , if not , I am at a loss to know to what the charge is to be imputed . AVe are , I am aware , accused of conviviality ; but this is to charge usas Masonswith the failings of
, , Englishmen ; for I need not tell this company , however sceptical the world at large may be on the point , that conviviality forms no part of Masonry . This much too I must say in defence of our conviviality , that at the numerous meetings at which it has been my happy lot to preside , I have never once known the harmony of the company to be disturbed b y a disagreement . At the time when I was called to preside over No . 1 , though a Mason of some standing , and I trust with my heart
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign.
the state of Masonry in general at this Presidency . At that time , owing to some unaccountable cause , Masonry had fallen into disrepute : No . 1 , was so thin in numbers that we could hardl y fill the several offices of the Lodge ; the ranks of the Grand Lodge were proportionably reduced ; our communications with England had become irregular and unsatisfactory ; our charitable subscriptions had decreased to such an extent , that it was with difficulty we could answer the most pressing calls of
distress;—in short , the pure flame of Masonry languished , and must have expired altogether , had it not been for the unremitting exertions of three ef the best Masons that ever lived , AV . Brothers Lys and M'Donell , and our departed Brother Gordon , whose merits deserve a more lasting memorial than my humble praise . How truly gratifying a contrast does the picture of the present moment present . Our Lodge is now equal in numbers , respectability , and intelligence , to any in the world ; the Grand
Lodge has been recruited from our ranks ; our charitable funds have improved ; and Masonry flourishes as prosperously as its most ardent admirer could desire . I firmly believe that the revival of our Lodge has been attended with the most beneficial results , not only to its own members , but to others unconnected with it . To its members it has not only afforded the means of moral and intellectual improvement in the prosecution of the duties of the Craftbut it has strengthened the social
inter-, course of society by enabling its members to enjoy conviviality tempered by kindly and brotherly feeling . I will not go the length of saying that our Lodge has put a stop to all quarrels among its members—that would be too much to expect from fallen man—but I have reason to know it has been the happy instrument of making up differences , which without
it would have remained unsettled to the present hour . To others , particularly to Masons in distress , it has proved of essential service—I cannot avoid mentioning one case , that of a shipwrecked French captain , who was enabled , through the individual subscriptions of our members , to prosecute his profession , and he is now sailing the seas in command of a ship , thanking God , if he has the heart of a man , for having made him a Mason . Let the enemies of Freemasonry say or think what they
will , I cannot but feel a pride in belonging to an institution which , whatever may have been its origin , could produce such truly Christian results as these . I cannot hel p here adverting to the calumnies which have been fulminated against us in the public prints by some writers , in which our Order has been stigmatised as unchristian , in the worst sense of the word . I am aware that these attacks are hardl y deserving of notice , as coining from persons who only expose their ignorance by
censuring what they cannot understand ; but I think they might have the charity to . judge of the tree by its fruits . Following this test , I might ask , is it the principle of pure morality inculcated in our ceremoniesis it the brotherl y love we cherish—is it the charity we preach and practise , which make us unchristian ? because , if not , I am at a loss to know to what the charge is to be imputed . AVe are , I am aware , accused of conviviality ; but this is to charge usas Masonswith the failings of
, , Englishmen ; for I need not tell this company , however sceptical the world at large may be on the point , that conviviality forms no part of Masonry . This much too I must say in defence of our conviviality , that at the numerous meetings at which it has been my happy lot to preside , I have never once known the harmony of the company to be disturbed b y a disagreement . At the time when I was called to preside over No . 1 , though a Mason of some standing , and I trust with my heart