Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
Freemasons of the day , and more especially as the energetic supporter of Masonic Charity . —( Long continued Cheering and Chorus . ) Du . C RUCKVIX . —W . Sir , and Bro ., our learned friend has embodied in very thrilling language the characteristic principles of Masonic charity , he has boldly asserted her rig hts to your consideration , and her claims toyour sympathy ; his address delivered this clay will long live in your recollection on own part 1 can assure excellent friend and Brother ,
; my , my that it will be my study to merit some share of the encomium be has so generously bestowed on my humble endeavours in our g lorious cause , in which I shall be stimulated by the remembrance of the very cordial manner in which you have welcomed the generous sentiment . —( Cheers . ) 1 mightcontentmyselfivith the expression of my truly grateful thanks , did not a stern necessity exist in my mind that on such an occasion as this meeting presents , there should be nothing left undone or even unsaid with
which justice may jeqnire or gratitude demand . I have listened breathless interest to ivhat has fallen from the Rev . Chairman , and the other Brethren who have addressed you ; their sentiments do themselves as well as our distinguished Brother , Dr . Oliver , the hig hest honour , and I tremble at the responsibility 1 shall incur in attempting to follow them ; they have woven a garland of moral eloquence , and scarcely left me a stray waif to t I havehoweveran auditory worthy of the
ocpresenyou . , , casion , and shall dismiss all pretence , and throw myself unhesitatingly on its indulgence . How truly may I state that , from the earliest moment , when the "' Light" of Masonry first dawned upon me I have been indebted to our historian for Avhatever Masonic knowledge I have been able to acquire , which has enabled me to pass throug h a moral alembic
of self-examination which justifies me in venturing to present myself before you on this occasion with an unaffected sincerity of purpose . I eagerly sought for such books as treated of Freemasonry , the first I obtained was Dr . Oliver ' s edition of Preston ' s illustrations , ivhich I found to be a casket of surpassing beauty ; as I read I became an enthusiast , and as often as I returned to the invaluable page , 1 felt my heart yearning with gratitude to the author who had removed all my doubt by
expanding my mind . One by one I procured every emanation of his gifted pen , and at length I dared to contemplate and eventually execute that bold project , which , as I now reflect upon it , I wonder at my courage to incur so fearful a responsibility , butl have told you that I was an enthusiast , and ivhat will not enthusiasm dare ! I launched my bark on tbe wide waters of public opinion , and the Freemasons ' Quarterly Review was published . I was its editor and proprietor during
many eventful years , and even now if I decline responsibility , for reasons which I trust are as honourable as they are obvious , I may observe that , like a certain great Duke , I yet have a considerable say in the cabinet . This reference is almost too personal , but it is in some measure necessary to complete the explanation of the connexion between Dr . Oliver , my elder Brother in Masonry , and myself . I trust , thereforeyou will excuse it . I venturedafter the appearance of the first
, , number to write to Dr . Oliver , through our mutual publishers , and regret that I did not write in manifold—for at this moment it would , give me much satisfaction to be reminded of the exact mode in which I approached him—but I have his firstletter to me , dated May 30 , 183 t , in which he not only approved the object , but promised a support that has increased in interest , until it has ripened into an affectionate friendship . —( Cheers . ) Dr . Oliver and myself have secrets of no common nature .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
Freemasons of the day , and more especially as the energetic supporter of Masonic Charity . —( Long continued Cheering and Chorus . ) Du . C RUCKVIX . —W . Sir , and Bro ., our learned friend has embodied in very thrilling language the characteristic principles of Masonic charity , he has boldly asserted her rig hts to your consideration , and her claims toyour sympathy ; his address delivered this clay will long live in your recollection on own part 1 can assure excellent friend and Brother ,
; my , my that it will be my study to merit some share of the encomium be has so generously bestowed on my humble endeavours in our g lorious cause , in which I shall be stimulated by the remembrance of the very cordial manner in which you have welcomed the generous sentiment . —( Cheers . ) 1 mightcontentmyselfivith the expression of my truly grateful thanks , did not a stern necessity exist in my mind that on such an occasion as this meeting presents , there should be nothing left undone or even unsaid with
which justice may jeqnire or gratitude demand . I have listened breathless interest to ivhat has fallen from the Rev . Chairman , and the other Brethren who have addressed you ; their sentiments do themselves as well as our distinguished Brother , Dr . Oliver , the hig hest honour , and I tremble at the responsibility 1 shall incur in attempting to follow them ; they have woven a garland of moral eloquence , and scarcely left me a stray waif to t I havehoweveran auditory worthy of the
ocpresenyou . , , casion , and shall dismiss all pretence , and throw myself unhesitatingly on its indulgence . How truly may I state that , from the earliest moment , when the "' Light" of Masonry first dawned upon me I have been indebted to our historian for Avhatever Masonic knowledge I have been able to acquire , which has enabled me to pass throug h a moral alembic
of self-examination which justifies me in venturing to present myself before you on this occasion with an unaffected sincerity of purpose . I eagerly sought for such books as treated of Freemasonry , the first I obtained was Dr . Oliver ' s edition of Preston ' s illustrations , ivhich I found to be a casket of surpassing beauty ; as I read I became an enthusiast , and as often as I returned to the invaluable page , 1 felt my heart yearning with gratitude to the author who had removed all my doubt by
expanding my mind . One by one I procured every emanation of his gifted pen , and at length I dared to contemplate and eventually execute that bold project , which , as I now reflect upon it , I wonder at my courage to incur so fearful a responsibility , butl have told you that I was an enthusiast , and ivhat will not enthusiasm dare ! I launched my bark on tbe wide waters of public opinion , and the Freemasons ' Quarterly Review was published . I was its editor and proprietor during
many eventful years , and even now if I decline responsibility , for reasons which I trust are as honourable as they are obvious , I may observe that , like a certain great Duke , I yet have a considerable say in the cabinet . This reference is almost too personal , but it is in some measure necessary to complete the explanation of the connexion between Dr . Oliver , my elder Brother in Masonry , and myself . I trust , thereforeyou will excuse it . I venturedafter the appearance of the first
, , number to write to Dr . Oliver , through our mutual publishers , and regret that I did not write in manifold—for at this moment it would , give me much satisfaction to be reminded of the exact mode in which I approached him—but I have his firstletter to me , dated May 30 , 183 t , in which he not only approved the object , but promised a support that has increased in interest , until it has ripened into an affectionate friendship . —( Cheers . ) Dr . Oliver and myself have secrets of no common nature .