Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
The Lodge was closed at 8 . 30 l ' . m ., and the Brethren adjourned to Ihe banqueting-room , where a splendid collation was spread for them . Several excellent speeches were made on the occasion , but we were obliged to leave the banquet early , and did not hear one-half of the orations . One , however , we gladly record . The Right Worshipful Grand Master called on the Brethren to fill a bumper , ancl in a speech , peculiarly marked for the friendly and fraternal spirit , proposed the health of the Grand Secretary , Bro . A . Grant . The toast was drunk with more than usual cordiality and marks of friendly and fraternal
feeling towards Bro . A . Grant . Bro . A . GIIANT rose and addressed the Brethren nearly as follows : — '' Right Worshipful Grand Master , —I feel proud and gratified both from the feeling and friendly manner in which you have been pleased to notice me , and from the marked gratification the mention of my name has afforded the Brethren ; ancl , sir , these feelings ancl expressions are the more gratifying to me , for whatever little exertion on my part that have tended either to the improvement of this hallor to the
conmay , venience of the Brethren , was entirely voluntary and unauthorized by the previous sanction of hig her Masonic authority ; but , sir , I enjoy not only on this , but on every occasion of our meeting , more than an equivalent for any exertion made by me in the good cause , and that is , the assurance of those I love and respect , and those who are loveel and respected by the world , I have at least endeavoured , as far as lay in the of one manto promote the interest of so beautifulso glorious
power , , , and so mysterious a cause as that of Freemasonry . I say mysterious , sir , because it is admitted an anomaly in the history of the earth . AVithout territorial possession , without any other coercing power than that of morality and virtue , it has survived the wreck of mighty empires ^ and resisted the destroying hand of Time . Contrast the history of Freemasonry with the history of the nations of the world , and what is the result ? The JewsGod ' s favoured people , into whose custody Masonry
, was first entrusted "b y its divine author , where are they now ? A race of wanderers scattered over the face of the globe . And the stupendous and magnificent structure , the temple at once their glory ancl the wonder of the world , where is it now ? Not one stone left upon another ! Babylon , in her day the queen of nations , has fallen never to rise again . Egypt , with her kings , and philosophers—classic Greece and Imperial Home , we now find but occupying their page in the history of the shines hout the world
world . But Masonry , sir , at this moment throug with as brig ht and undiminished alight , as when first revealed by God to man . Must not , then , sir , the question often arise , even to the most unreflecting mind , what is Masonry ? But I fear me , sir , this question is seldom satisfactorily answered . Masonry does not consist , as you have beautifully stated this night , in an extensive ancl correct knowledge of the ceremonials of the institute , or in an elaborate etymological
research into the great landmarks of the Order , nor in the extensive bestowal of eleemosynary relief—it is not faith , it is not hope , but all these are necessary to lead the tiuly speculative Mason to a correct estimate of what Masonry really is—and that is , sir , erecting the human heart into a temple of unbounded charity , or unbounded love , to God and his creatures . This virtue will remain when " faith and hope will be no longer required . " It is a glory that reaches to and enlightens the empyreal ! , or heaven of heavens ; in fact , sir , it is what has been stated by an inspired Masonic writer , the " glorious Shehinah of God himself . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
The Lodge was closed at 8 . 30 l ' . m ., and the Brethren adjourned to Ihe banqueting-room , where a splendid collation was spread for them . Several excellent speeches were made on the occasion , but we were obliged to leave the banquet early , and did not hear one-half of the orations . One , however , we gladly record . The Right Worshipful Grand Master called on the Brethren to fill a bumper , ancl in a speech , peculiarly marked for the friendly and fraternal spirit , proposed the health of the Grand Secretary , Bro . A . Grant . The toast was drunk with more than usual cordiality and marks of friendly and fraternal
feeling towards Bro . A . Grant . Bro . A . GIIANT rose and addressed the Brethren nearly as follows : — '' Right Worshipful Grand Master , —I feel proud and gratified both from the feeling and friendly manner in which you have been pleased to notice me , and from the marked gratification the mention of my name has afforded the Brethren ; ancl , sir , these feelings ancl expressions are the more gratifying to me , for whatever little exertion on my part that have tended either to the improvement of this hallor to the
conmay , venience of the Brethren , was entirely voluntary and unauthorized by the previous sanction of hig her Masonic authority ; but , sir , I enjoy not only on this , but on every occasion of our meeting , more than an equivalent for any exertion made by me in the good cause , and that is , the assurance of those I love and respect , and those who are loveel and respected by the world , I have at least endeavoured , as far as lay in the of one manto promote the interest of so beautifulso glorious
power , , , and so mysterious a cause as that of Freemasonry . I say mysterious , sir , because it is admitted an anomaly in the history of the earth . AVithout territorial possession , without any other coercing power than that of morality and virtue , it has survived the wreck of mighty empires ^ and resisted the destroying hand of Time . Contrast the history of Freemasonry with the history of the nations of the world , and what is the result ? The JewsGod ' s favoured people , into whose custody Masonry
, was first entrusted "b y its divine author , where are they now ? A race of wanderers scattered over the face of the globe . And the stupendous and magnificent structure , the temple at once their glory ancl the wonder of the world , where is it now ? Not one stone left upon another ! Babylon , in her day the queen of nations , has fallen never to rise again . Egypt , with her kings , and philosophers—classic Greece and Imperial Home , we now find but occupying their page in the history of the shines hout the world
world . But Masonry , sir , at this moment throug with as brig ht and undiminished alight , as when first revealed by God to man . Must not , then , sir , the question often arise , even to the most unreflecting mind , what is Masonry ? But I fear me , sir , this question is seldom satisfactorily answered . Masonry does not consist , as you have beautifully stated this night , in an extensive ancl correct knowledge of the ceremonials of the institute , or in an elaborate etymological
research into the great landmarks of the Order , nor in the extensive bestowal of eleemosynary relief—it is not faith , it is not hope , but all these are necessary to lead the tiuly speculative Mason to a correct estimate of what Masonry really is—and that is , sir , erecting the human heart into a temple of unbounded charity , or unbounded love , to God and his creatures . This virtue will remain when " faith and hope will be no longer required . " It is a glory that reaches to and enlightens the empyreal ! , or heaven of heavens ; in fact , sir , it is what has been stated by an inspired Masonic writer , the " glorious Shehinah of God himself . "