Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
as they are now , it may be reasonably presumed that I was not very regular in my attendance on the duties of the Lodge . I possessed , however , the advantage of instruction in the lectures from a very intelligent master Mason , and I prosecuted the inquiry with great diligence , and , I may add , with great success , although I ivas then little more than eighteen years of age —( Cheers ) . I soon became acquainted with the mechanism of the Orderfor the details were very simpleand the
, , lectures , as usually delivered , exceedingly short anil common-place . On inquiry , I found that the lectures ivere , in realitv , much more comprehensive ; and that they embraced a more extensive view of tlie morals and science of the Order than ivas contained in the meagre portions ivhich Avere periodically doled out to the Brethren in the country Lodges . In fact , at that time , I am afraid a majority of the Brethren thought more of the convivialities than the science of
Freemasonry—( Hear ) . A very short section of the lecture ivas usually considered a sufficient sacrifice to Masonic labour , Avhile refreshment ivas commenced with avidity , anel often continued to a late and unseasonable hour . Anel , indeed , this is scarcely to be wondered at , considering the facilities that were afforded for such a course . The appointments and arrangement of a Masonic Lodge-room were very different to our present practice . A long table was extended from one end of the room to the
other , covered with a green cloth , on which were placed duplicates of the ornaments , furniture , and jewels , intermixed with Masonic glasses for refreshment —( A laugh ) . At one end of this table ivas placed tire Master ' s pedestal , and at the other that of the Senior Warden , while about the middle of the table , in the south , the Junior Warden Avas
placed , and the Brethren sat round as at a common ordinary . AA'hen there AA'as an initiation , the candidate Avas paraded outside the Avhole ; and , on such occasions , after he had been safely deposited at the northeast angle of the Lodge , a very short explanation of the design of Freemasonry , or a brief portion of the lecture , was considered sufficient before the Lodge was called from labour to refreshment . The song , the toast and sentiment , went merrily round , and it was not until the Brethren were tolerably satiated that the Lodge ivas resumedand the
, routine business transacted before closing . On a mature consideration , I felt that this could not be the chief design of Freemasonry —( hear , hear ) ; but a change of situation about that time , and being removed to a distance from my Masonic instructor , drove Freemasonry entirely out of my head for a period of seven years . At the end of this time , I found myself in a position to establish a new Lodge ; and I did accordingly establish the Apollo Lodge at Grimsbyand was appointed its first
, Worshipful Master-. Here , then , I had an opportunity of bringing into operation those improvements ivhich had suggested themselves to my mind many years before ; and during the ten or eleven years that I presided over that Lodge , I flatter myself it was decently conducted . I am sure it was pre-eminently successful . Still 1 could not divest myself of the idea that Freemasonry contained some further reference than what appeared upon the face of the lectureseven in their most extended
, form —( Hear ) . But of the nature of that reference I was perfectl y ignorant . I communicated with my Masonic instructor on the subject , but lie ivas equally at a loss . I consulted other eminent Masons Avithout success . I remained in this state of doubt and indecision for several years ; Avhen , at length , an unforeseen accident put me in possession of all the information I wanted . It was about the time ivhen the Union was making a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
as they are now , it may be reasonably presumed that I was not very regular in my attendance on the duties of the Lodge . I possessed , however , the advantage of instruction in the lectures from a very intelligent master Mason , and I prosecuted the inquiry with great diligence , and , I may add , with great success , although I ivas then little more than eighteen years of age —( Cheers ) . I soon became acquainted with the mechanism of the Orderfor the details were very simpleand the
, , lectures , as usually delivered , exceedingly short anil common-place . On inquiry , I found that the lectures ivere , in realitv , much more comprehensive ; and that they embraced a more extensive view of tlie morals and science of the Order than ivas contained in the meagre portions ivhich Avere periodically doled out to the Brethren in the country Lodges . In fact , at that time , I am afraid a majority of the Brethren thought more of the convivialities than the science of
Freemasonry—( Hear ) . A very short section of the lecture ivas usually considered a sufficient sacrifice to Masonic labour , Avhile refreshment ivas commenced with avidity , anel often continued to a late and unseasonable hour . Anel , indeed , this is scarcely to be wondered at , considering the facilities that were afforded for such a course . The appointments and arrangement of a Masonic Lodge-room were very different to our present practice . A long table was extended from one end of the room to the
other , covered with a green cloth , on which were placed duplicates of the ornaments , furniture , and jewels , intermixed with Masonic glasses for refreshment —( A laugh ) . At one end of this table ivas placed tire Master ' s pedestal , and at the other that of the Senior Warden , while about the middle of the table , in the south , the Junior Warden Avas
placed , and the Brethren sat round as at a common ordinary . AA'hen there AA'as an initiation , the candidate Avas paraded outside the Avhole ; and , on such occasions , after he had been safely deposited at the northeast angle of the Lodge , a very short explanation of the design of Freemasonry , or a brief portion of the lecture , was considered sufficient before the Lodge was called from labour to refreshment . The song , the toast and sentiment , went merrily round , and it was not until the Brethren were tolerably satiated that the Lodge ivas resumedand the
, routine business transacted before closing . On a mature consideration , I felt that this could not be the chief design of Freemasonry —( hear , hear ) ; but a change of situation about that time , and being removed to a distance from my Masonic instructor , drove Freemasonry entirely out of my head for a period of seven years . At the end of this time , I found myself in a position to establish a new Lodge ; and I did accordingly establish the Apollo Lodge at Grimsbyand was appointed its first
, Worshipful Master-. Here , then , I had an opportunity of bringing into operation those improvements ivhich had suggested themselves to my mind many years before ; and during the ten or eleven years that I presided over that Lodge , I flatter myself it was decently conducted . I am sure it was pre-eminently successful . Still 1 could not divest myself of the idea that Freemasonry contained some further reference than what appeared upon the face of the lectureseven in their most extended
, form —( Hear ) . But of the nature of that reference I was perfectl y ignorant . I communicated with my Masonic instructor on the subject , but lie ivas equally at a loss . I consulted other eminent Masons Avithout success . I remained in this state of doubt and indecision for several years ; Avhen , at length , an unforeseen accident put me in possession of all the information I wanted . It was about the time ivhen the Union was making a