Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
virtues we should all inculcate upon its capital ; and have recorded upon its base , together with our names , the expression of those feelings of esteem and affection for you , as a man and a Mason , which it is our object to commemorate , by this well-deserved testimonial . That the great Architect of the universe may long bless you with long life , good health , and every happiness this world can afford , is the sincere desire of your attached Brethren of Limerick . "
Br . Furnell delivered the following reply : — " AA'orshipful Master and Brethren , —The uncontrollable emotion of an overcharged heart deprives me of those expressions so necessary for ray present position , and were it not for the confidence I feel in your fraternal indulgence , 1 should altogether despair of commanding sufficient self-possession to approach the overpowering subject of this day . Brethren , I am sure you will credit my solemn Masonic declarationthat to me that elegant
, and costly testimonial of esteem ancl affection is but a bauble compared to the hope I cherish that the heart of each individual Brother of this Lodge throbs in the same link of fraternal unity as my own . Brethren , little more than a year has passed since we numbered on our roll but the exact number of this Lodge 13 ; but now what do I see around me , a hundred of the elite of our province enthusiastic advocates of the hallowed principles of pure Freemasonry , the protectors of the orphan , the
patrons of moral , social amusements , and the munificent encouragers of principle , testified by your flattering and splendid proof this day . I accept this great and invaluable testimonial of Masonic opinionwith an enthusiasm too expressive for words . I shall ever esteem it as my proudest and dearest possession , for each time that I view it I will have before " my mind ' s eye" the soul of every Brother engraved thereon , as when , hand-in-hand , in testimony ofthe Presence above , we sealed
our all-enduring bond . Nature overpowers me , and I can only , with deepest emotion , again reiterate my heartfelt thanks to you all , and to you , AVorshipful Master , for your too kind allusions to my humble merits , and to the excellent artist , our Brother Smith , for the beautiful execution of this truly Masonic and appropriate testimonial . March 29 . —GRAND FANCY BALL FOR MASONIC AVIDOWS AND ORPHANS . —To see amusement devoted to benevolence , and festive
enjoyment made' subservient to the cause of charity , is a sight worthy of approbation to the heart of every true philanthropist ; and it is , therefore , that we have seldom been more delighted than on witnessing the opulent and fashionable concourse that crowded last ni ght to the Grand Masonic Fancy and Full Dress Ball , given for the benefit of destitute widows and orphans , belonging to some of the deceased Brethren , who often in life experienced the full and saving truth of the words sung by their zealous Brother , the Bard of the
North" When MasMis' mystic trord an' grip In storms and tempest raise you up ;" And who , on their return to the " Grand Lodge above , " have thensorrowing dependents provided for , through that kindly and benevolent feeling which has ever swayed the Brotherhood in all climes and ages . AVe have little hope of presenting our readers with any thing like an adequate description of the scene that presented itself on our entrance into this " hall of mirth . " Those who had witnessed , but a few days previous , the Philosophical and Literary Society House—its unfinished staircases—its unplastered walls , and apparently unappropriate appear-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
virtues we should all inculcate upon its capital ; and have recorded upon its base , together with our names , the expression of those feelings of esteem and affection for you , as a man and a Mason , which it is our object to commemorate , by this well-deserved testimonial . That the great Architect of the universe may long bless you with long life , good health , and every happiness this world can afford , is the sincere desire of your attached Brethren of Limerick . "
Br . Furnell delivered the following reply : — " AA'orshipful Master and Brethren , —The uncontrollable emotion of an overcharged heart deprives me of those expressions so necessary for ray present position , and were it not for the confidence I feel in your fraternal indulgence , 1 should altogether despair of commanding sufficient self-possession to approach the overpowering subject of this day . Brethren , I am sure you will credit my solemn Masonic declarationthat to me that elegant
, and costly testimonial of esteem ancl affection is but a bauble compared to the hope I cherish that the heart of each individual Brother of this Lodge throbs in the same link of fraternal unity as my own . Brethren , little more than a year has passed since we numbered on our roll but the exact number of this Lodge 13 ; but now what do I see around me , a hundred of the elite of our province enthusiastic advocates of the hallowed principles of pure Freemasonry , the protectors of the orphan , the
patrons of moral , social amusements , and the munificent encouragers of principle , testified by your flattering and splendid proof this day . I accept this great and invaluable testimonial of Masonic opinionwith an enthusiasm too expressive for words . I shall ever esteem it as my proudest and dearest possession , for each time that I view it I will have before " my mind ' s eye" the soul of every Brother engraved thereon , as when , hand-in-hand , in testimony ofthe Presence above , we sealed
our all-enduring bond . Nature overpowers me , and I can only , with deepest emotion , again reiterate my heartfelt thanks to you all , and to you , AVorshipful Master , for your too kind allusions to my humble merits , and to the excellent artist , our Brother Smith , for the beautiful execution of this truly Masonic and appropriate testimonial . March 29 . —GRAND FANCY BALL FOR MASONIC AVIDOWS AND ORPHANS . —To see amusement devoted to benevolence , and festive
enjoyment made' subservient to the cause of charity , is a sight worthy of approbation to the heart of every true philanthropist ; and it is , therefore , that we have seldom been more delighted than on witnessing the opulent and fashionable concourse that crowded last ni ght to the Grand Masonic Fancy and Full Dress Ball , given for the benefit of destitute widows and orphans , belonging to some of the deceased Brethren , who often in life experienced the full and saving truth of the words sung by their zealous Brother , the Bard of the
North" When MasMis' mystic trord an' grip In storms and tempest raise you up ;" And who , on their return to the " Grand Lodge above , " have thensorrowing dependents provided for , through that kindly and benevolent feeling which has ever swayed the Brotherhood in all climes and ages . AVe have little hope of presenting our readers with any thing like an adequate description of the scene that presented itself on our entrance into this " hall of mirth . " Those who had witnessed , but a few days previous , the Philosophical and Literary Society House—its unfinished staircases—its unplastered walls , and apparently unappropriate appear-