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Article ASYLUM FOR WORTHY AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASONS. ← Page 9 of 12 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Asylum For Worthy Aged And Decayed Freemasons.
such Brethren to the questionable comfort of the cellar or the garret—no —you would give them a home in the temple , and you would do more , you would visit them in that temple , to satisfy yourselves they were contented , if not happy . Let me ask who is free from the invasion of calamity and misfortune ? He that thinketh he standeth , take heed lest he fall . Mfriends—the whirlwindthe simoomthe hurricaneand the
avay , ; , , lanche , threaten and dismay the traveller—are they not the elemental types of those calamities that befal man in the social state , calamities which possibly no foresight , no industry could prevent ? You will not refuse a shelter for the Masonic pilgrim ; you are , I trust , desirous that among the noble fanes that surmount temples to charity in this empire of wealth and power , there shall at least be one practical illustration of our noble profession .
Should we fail , it will not be a monument of our folly , but of our disgrace , for our means are boundless—I speak advisedly . But it will not be so . I quote the prophetic words of a master-mind of the age , who would have been present this day , had not severe domestic affliction prevented him , I allude to Brother Douglas Jerrold , who in his beautiful poem of the palm-tree , written for a former anniversary , thus observes ,
" In time our palm may grant as great a meed To needy man in man ' s worst t . me of need ; Its boughs so fruitful , and its shade so wide , 'Twill give him bread , and give a home beside . "—( Cherts ) and I also gratefully quote from the address , written by a lady , and circulated this day . Bless her muse for the inspiration—hear her" Ye have done much to memorize the name , Pear now the highest pillar of your fame , The old
man ' s refuge jn declining years . And earn a title to his grateful tears . " ( Great cheering ) Brethren—it will probably be expected of me to say something as to the recent festival held on the 9 th of this month , in aid of the Benevolent Annuity Fund . It was a noble meeting—not great in number , but the subscription generous . The Grand Master presided . Among those present I was not the least of the happy ; certainly a passing thought , a wish escaped me , that in the present day of free trade I could have preferred , for the honour of Freemasonry , that they had not run the Asylum so hard , as to have held their first festival within one week of
ours ; however , the best proof I can give of Masonic principle is to glance very tenderly on an evident want of generosity and kindness . Notwithstanding this untoward circumstance , I hope this day , as your treasurer , to glean some stray waifs , and garner them up as stores in aid of the Aged Masons' Asylum . Finally , my Brethren . —The fair tenants in the gallery have often heard of our institutions for aged Brethren , but have they yet heard of
one for the widows of Masons ? No—and we must appear to be somewhat selfish . It is due however to say , that the Masonic pioneers , who when they took up the axe to hew their way in the forest of prejudice , contemplated at the time shelter for the widow also , and now they purpose to use the axe again , and venture to hope that they may clear away obstacles that have hitherto opposed them , by shamefully procrastinating a consideration of the subject in Grand Lodge . It is high time that the friends to the witlow should bestir themselves , and should
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Asylum For Worthy Aged And Decayed Freemasons.
such Brethren to the questionable comfort of the cellar or the garret—no —you would give them a home in the temple , and you would do more , you would visit them in that temple , to satisfy yourselves they were contented , if not happy . Let me ask who is free from the invasion of calamity and misfortune ? He that thinketh he standeth , take heed lest he fall . Mfriends—the whirlwindthe simoomthe hurricaneand the
avay , ; , , lanche , threaten and dismay the traveller—are they not the elemental types of those calamities that befal man in the social state , calamities which possibly no foresight , no industry could prevent ? You will not refuse a shelter for the Masonic pilgrim ; you are , I trust , desirous that among the noble fanes that surmount temples to charity in this empire of wealth and power , there shall at least be one practical illustration of our noble profession .
Should we fail , it will not be a monument of our folly , but of our disgrace , for our means are boundless—I speak advisedly . But it will not be so . I quote the prophetic words of a master-mind of the age , who would have been present this day , had not severe domestic affliction prevented him , I allude to Brother Douglas Jerrold , who in his beautiful poem of the palm-tree , written for a former anniversary , thus observes ,
" In time our palm may grant as great a meed To needy man in man ' s worst t . me of need ; Its boughs so fruitful , and its shade so wide , 'Twill give him bread , and give a home beside . "—( Cherts ) and I also gratefully quote from the address , written by a lady , and circulated this day . Bless her muse for the inspiration—hear her" Ye have done much to memorize the name , Pear now the highest pillar of your fame , The old
man ' s refuge jn declining years . And earn a title to his grateful tears . " ( Great cheering ) Brethren—it will probably be expected of me to say something as to the recent festival held on the 9 th of this month , in aid of the Benevolent Annuity Fund . It was a noble meeting—not great in number , but the subscription generous . The Grand Master presided . Among those present I was not the least of the happy ; certainly a passing thought , a wish escaped me , that in the present day of free trade I could have preferred , for the honour of Freemasonry , that they had not run the Asylum so hard , as to have held their first festival within one week of
ours ; however , the best proof I can give of Masonic principle is to glance very tenderly on an evident want of generosity and kindness . Notwithstanding this untoward circumstance , I hope this day , as your treasurer , to glean some stray waifs , and garner them up as stores in aid of the Aged Masons' Asylum . Finally , my Brethren . —The fair tenants in the gallery have often heard of our institutions for aged Brethren , but have they yet heard of
one for the widows of Masons ? No—and we must appear to be somewhat selfish . It is due however to say , that the Masonic pioneers , who when they took up the axe to hew their way in the forest of prejudice , contemplated at the time shelter for the widow also , and now they purpose to use the axe again , and venture to hope that they may clear away obstacles that have hitherto opposed them , by shamefully procrastinating a consideration of the subject in Grand Lodge . It is high time that the friends to the witlow should bestir themselves , and should