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Article CHAPTER II. ← Page 3 of 5 →
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Chapter Ii.
This argument is ] too obvious to be overlooked , ? too apparent to be neglected , too valuable to be despised . From our example the world may learn what great ends may be accomplished where a body of men unite , heart and hand , to promote a beneficent object . Accordingly , our charitable institutions are numerous and effective , for charity forms the basis of our glorious Order . There was an excellent custom in Lincolnshire some ears —ancl
y ago I regret much that it has been discontinued , although it affords me great pleasure to reflect that it is still practised in many other provinceswhich had the effect of promoting the general interests of morality and religion through the influence of masonic example . I need not say that I refer to the annual custom of assembling all the lodges in the province alternately at the principal towns , and going in public procession to church , for the purpose of displaying a sense of gratitude and piety to
God by offering up mutual prayers ancl thanksgivings , ancl advocating the cause of virtue ancl benevolence by an exposition from the pulpit on some of the numerous moral subjects which distinguish the private lectures of the lodge . This custom brought the brethren into periodical communication with each other , ancl not only cemented old friendships , but formed new ones ; thus extending the county acquaintance , ancl promoting brotherllove and social feeling amongst thosewho miht
y , g have remained strangers to each other till the day of their death ; which is no sli ght advantage , because nothing can serve more strongly to cement the sacred ties of morality and virtue , than such au interchange of fraternal affection and good will . Besides , this admirable custom frequentl y generates a friendship which becomes mutually beneficial : old
acquaintances are enabled to meet and renew those courtesies which time and distance bad thrown into abeyance ; and on such occasions the heart and the tongue were found , as our motto predicates , to unite in promoting each other ' s welfare , and rejoice in each other ' s prosperity . The exclusion of females from such celebrations has been considered the pet objection against the sociality of the Order ; it may not therefore be amiss to observe in this place , that the argument is extended beyond its legitimate application . It is well known that on all public occasions
ladies are admitted to the ceremonial ; and in ancient times it was customary to present distinguished females with roses and gloves , as a delicate compliment to their innocence ancl purity . In 1845 a remarkable instance of this custom occurred at a grand re-union and festival of the masonic Order at Kingston , Canada , where the emblematical roses ancl gloves were presented to several ladies ; and to show the real estimation with which Freemasonry clothes the female character , I subjoin , from
the report in Moore ' s Magazine , the address which was made when Mrs . Mackenzie Frazer was introduced on the platform . " The Worshipful Master descended from the throne , and said— ' High born and excellent lady , the brethren of the most ancient of all societies , who , while they pursue in silence ancl seclusion the unvarying ° tenor of their way , forget not the claims of your sex for a single moment ; and looking to the approval of woman as a guitling starfeel themselves peculiarlgratified in
, y seeing you within this mystic circle of Freemasons , whose hearts are ever open ancl ever ready to acknowledge that to woman alone man owes the brightest portions of his character and his felicity . In the name of Solomon I present you , lady , with the rose of beauty , and the spotless white gloves of innocence . Wear both , for of both are you worthy . Colonel Mackenzie Frazer , on the part of Mrs . F ., briefly - replied ; and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Ii.
This argument is ] too obvious to be overlooked , ? too apparent to be neglected , too valuable to be despised . From our example the world may learn what great ends may be accomplished where a body of men unite , heart and hand , to promote a beneficent object . Accordingly , our charitable institutions are numerous and effective , for charity forms the basis of our glorious Order . There was an excellent custom in Lincolnshire some ears —ancl
y ago I regret much that it has been discontinued , although it affords me great pleasure to reflect that it is still practised in many other provinceswhich had the effect of promoting the general interests of morality and religion through the influence of masonic example . I need not say that I refer to the annual custom of assembling all the lodges in the province alternately at the principal towns , and going in public procession to church , for the purpose of displaying a sense of gratitude and piety to
God by offering up mutual prayers ancl thanksgivings , ancl advocating the cause of virtue ancl benevolence by an exposition from the pulpit on some of the numerous moral subjects which distinguish the private lectures of the lodge . This custom brought the brethren into periodical communication with each other , ancl not only cemented old friendships , but formed new ones ; thus extending the county acquaintance , ancl promoting brotherllove and social feeling amongst thosewho miht
y , g have remained strangers to each other till the day of their death ; which is no sli ght advantage , because nothing can serve more strongly to cement the sacred ties of morality and virtue , than such au interchange of fraternal affection and good will . Besides , this admirable custom frequentl y generates a friendship which becomes mutually beneficial : old
acquaintances are enabled to meet and renew those courtesies which time and distance bad thrown into abeyance ; and on such occasions the heart and the tongue were found , as our motto predicates , to unite in promoting each other ' s welfare , and rejoice in each other ' s prosperity . The exclusion of females from such celebrations has been considered the pet objection against the sociality of the Order ; it may not therefore be amiss to observe in this place , that the argument is extended beyond its legitimate application . It is well known that on all public occasions
ladies are admitted to the ceremonial ; and in ancient times it was customary to present distinguished females with roses and gloves , as a delicate compliment to their innocence ancl purity . In 1845 a remarkable instance of this custom occurred at a grand re-union and festival of the masonic Order at Kingston , Canada , where the emblematical roses ancl gloves were presented to several ladies ; and to show the real estimation with which Freemasonry clothes the female character , I subjoin , from
the report in Moore ' s Magazine , the address which was made when Mrs . Mackenzie Frazer was introduced on the platform . " The Worshipful Master descended from the throne , and said— ' High born and excellent lady , the brethren of the most ancient of all societies , who , while they pursue in silence ancl seclusion the unvarying ° tenor of their way , forget not the claims of your sex for a single moment ; and looking to the approval of woman as a guitling starfeel themselves peculiarlgratified in
, y seeing you within this mystic circle of Freemasons , whose hearts are ever open ancl ever ready to acknowledge that to woman alone man owes the brightest portions of his character and his felicity . In the name of Solomon I present you , lady , with the rose of beauty , and the spotless white gloves of innocence . Wear both , for of both are you worthy . Colonel Mackenzie Frazer , on the part of Mrs . F ., briefly - replied ; and