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Article ASYLUM FOR WORTHY AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASONS. ← Page 5 of 12 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Asylum For Worthy Aged And Decayed Freemasons.
lent Institution , and yet , in discharging my duties as Chairman , I am called upon to make some observations on the subject of the toast . That it is our duty to labour for the benefit ofthe aged , and to urge that obligation whenever an opportunity occurs , no one will , I am sure , deny . We live in a time when the circulation of knowledge and intelligence is daily becoming more extensive , and it therefore becomes us the more to promote the cause of kindness and charityand in particularto
contri-, , bute to the comforts of the aged ; and we find that that principle was advocated even in the darkest ages . This was particularly the case in the ancient Grecian Republics , where the first lesson that was taught was to honour and venerate age . It was that principle that made Sparta the admiration of Greece , and we find that it prevailed even amongst the barbarians . If then this principle has been so universally acknowledged and acted on during thousands of yearsand bvarious classes
, y , how much more is it the duty of Freemasons to practice it . I need not tell you how strong and sacred it is to all true Freemasons . I need not tell you that if we do our duty to the superstructure we rear , we shall have faith for the foundation , the stones will be hope and truth , and that it will be completed with mercy and charity —( cheers ) . It is for that purpose that we are met here this day —( cheers ) . It is for the purpose of advancing the cause of charitynot only that we should
contri-, bute to comfort the Aged Freemason , but that we should provide him with a proper Asylum . I feel it impossible that anything that I can say will add to the cause which , I am sure , you have warmly at heart . " We have been entertained in this room with everything that could gratify taste or si ght or sound , and amidst so much enjoyment I am sure you
will not forget the Aged Freemason —( cheers ) ;—for we ought to remember that all these enjoyments > vill not last for ever , and that some of us may , in the declining years of old age , require an Asylum for ourselves . The very youngest of us must after a few passing years decline into old age , and none of us can tell how long or how short it may be before we are afflicted by the dispensations of Providence by sickness or poverty —( cheers ) . And if that day shall come when we shall stand in need of an Asylumwhat must the feelings of sorrow of that man be
, who , in the hey-day of youth , has neglected to contribute to Institutions like the present . It is to avert such feelings and to provide for the aged that we are here this evening . I have , gentlemen , carefully examined the principles of this Institution , and they appear to me to be most excellent ; but before I deal with the obligations which we are under to support it , I wish to make a few remarks to my Masonic Brethren as to
the propriety of establishing-such an Institution—an Institution which shall be an Asylum for Aged , Worthy , and Decayed Freemasons , and which shall , while it confers benefit onthe aged , keep the young in mind of the true principles of Masonry , and by the good it confers , inculcate in them the necessity of supporting Institutions for the aged before decay has seized upon themselves . It appears to me , that on every prin-. ciple of charity , and on the great principles inculcated by Masonry , a charitable Institution such as the proposed Asylumis one of the most
, important and the most legitimate objects of charity , and it is on that ground that I seek your support on this occasion —( cheers ) . Now , I have heard it urged against this Institution that an Annuity Fund should be first supported before the Asylum would be required ; that we should have an Annuity Fund as a matter absolutely necessary , and that , if such an Institution were established , the recipients of its benefits would ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Asylum For Worthy Aged And Decayed Freemasons.
lent Institution , and yet , in discharging my duties as Chairman , I am called upon to make some observations on the subject of the toast . That it is our duty to labour for the benefit ofthe aged , and to urge that obligation whenever an opportunity occurs , no one will , I am sure , deny . We live in a time when the circulation of knowledge and intelligence is daily becoming more extensive , and it therefore becomes us the more to promote the cause of kindness and charityand in particularto
contri-, , bute to the comforts of the aged ; and we find that that principle was advocated even in the darkest ages . This was particularly the case in the ancient Grecian Republics , where the first lesson that was taught was to honour and venerate age . It was that principle that made Sparta the admiration of Greece , and we find that it prevailed even amongst the barbarians . If then this principle has been so universally acknowledged and acted on during thousands of yearsand bvarious classes
, y , how much more is it the duty of Freemasons to practice it . I need not tell you how strong and sacred it is to all true Freemasons . I need not tell you that if we do our duty to the superstructure we rear , we shall have faith for the foundation , the stones will be hope and truth , and that it will be completed with mercy and charity —( cheers ) . It is for that purpose that we are met here this day —( cheers ) . It is for the purpose of advancing the cause of charitynot only that we should
contri-, bute to comfort the Aged Freemason , but that we should provide him with a proper Asylum . I feel it impossible that anything that I can say will add to the cause which , I am sure , you have warmly at heart . " We have been entertained in this room with everything that could gratify taste or si ght or sound , and amidst so much enjoyment I am sure you
will not forget the Aged Freemason —( cheers ) ;—for we ought to remember that all these enjoyments > vill not last for ever , and that some of us may , in the declining years of old age , require an Asylum for ourselves . The very youngest of us must after a few passing years decline into old age , and none of us can tell how long or how short it may be before we are afflicted by the dispensations of Providence by sickness or poverty —( cheers ) . And if that day shall come when we shall stand in need of an Asylumwhat must the feelings of sorrow of that man be
, who , in the hey-day of youth , has neglected to contribute to Institutions like the present . It is to avert such feelings and to provide for the aged that we are here this evening . I have , gentlemen , carefully examined the principles of this Institution , and they appear to me to be most excellent ; but before I deal with the obligations which we are under to support it , I wish to make a few remarks to my Masonic Brethren as to
the propriety of establishing-such an Institution—an Institution which shall be an Asylum for Aged , Worthy , and Decayed Freemasons , and which shall , while it confers benefit onthe aged , keep the young in mind of the true principles of Masonry , and by the good it confers , inculcate in them the necessity of supporting Institutions for the aged before decay has seized upon themselves . It appears to me , that on every prin-. ciple of charity , and on the great principles inculcated by Masonry , a charitable Institution such as the proposed Asylumis one of the most
, important and the most legitimate objects of charity , and it is on that ground that I seek your support on this occasion —( cheers ) . Now , I have heard it urged against this Institution that an Annuity Fund should be first supported before the Asylum would be required ; that we should have an Annuity Fund as a matter absolutely necessary , and that , if such an Institution were established , the recipients of its benefits would ,