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Article ASYLUM FOR AGED FREEMASONS. ← Page 8 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Asylum For Aged Freemasons.
the Grand Master , when lo ! at the eleventh hour , the demon serpent of envy raised its accursed crest , and , with forked tongue and batetl breath , it dared to assert that the site selected was unhealthy—that drainage was impossible , and that the design was unworthy of our Order . The two first objections were perfectly untenable ; the last was fairly a reflection , not on those who did support the Asylum , but on those who did not . There are mysteries out of Masonry as well as in it , and among them is
this , that the purest gold must , it seems , be tried by the basest of metals . To-day ' s proceedings are a great moral lesson that cannot be regarded with impunity , either by Lord Zetland or by those who presume to be his advisers . Brethren , I have often had to advert with gratitude to the truly masonic appeals of our Chairmen in behalf of this charity ; your voices will go with me today in the acknowledgment of the surpassing kindness of the present noble Chairman ; but then , my friends , could we not rely on him who possesses a great heart , which is enshrined in a noble and generous chivalry that bids a weeping nation to mourn no
more" Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy . " I am justified in averring that all these unbecoming objections have been triumphantly refuted ; and the workmen will proceed , and the Temple will be erected . In our hour of need , as if to prove their appreciation of our cause , it is my pleasing duty to state that a number of ladies have determined to present purses containing five guineas each , as an oblation at the shrine of charity . This declaration will deliht
g , but not surprise . Is not this conduct truly noble ? Yes , may God bless them ! They will be rewarded ; for by bestowing happiness on others , they discover the most cheerful mode of ensuring it to themselves . " Oh great character of woman ! that even in this shadow and faint reflection of it , purifies the heart , and raises the exalted nature nearer to the Angels . "
Brethren , old age in its poverty may reflect on the past , it may be with bitterness and grief , for it may even have been sinful ; but that is an additional reason why we should step forward to succour and to save . Let us follow that golden precept of the wisest of men : —
" Do good with what thou hast , or it will do thee no good . " Old age is helpless , not clamorous ; its very silence is eloquence—a mute monitor of surpassing power—necessity urges the appeal . Alas ! my friends , how soon may your own necessity urge the appeal to others ! We are told to " rise up before the hoary head , and honour the face of the old man , " wherever we meet him , although he can plead no alliance with us but that of humanity—no right—no rank—no individual
obligation . Had the friends of the Asylum doubted the ultimate success of their object , they might have yielded to the pride , the obstinacy , and the prejudice—aye , and to the ingratitude and ignorance of their opponents ; but they were not dismayed , for they well knew , that sowing they should reap , and they persevered , and they will persevere . Brethren , let your benevolence be glowing with love—let your united
efforts to ameliorate the cares of poverty be directed by masonic patriotism , and become an honourable example to the world—not its shame . What is the real secret of our past success ?—Our CAUSE , not seductive , but sacred ! Based on charity , the heart—the heart—presaged success ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Asylum For Aged Freemasons.
the Grand Master , when lo ! at the eleventh hour , the demon serpent of envy raised its accursed crest , and , with forked tongue and batetl breath , it dared to assert that the site selected was unhealthy—that drainage was impossible , and that the design was unworthy of our Order . The two first objections were perfectly untenable ; the last was fairly a reflection , not on those who did support the Asylum , but on those who did not . There are mysteries out of Masonry as well as in it , and among them is
this , that the purest gold must , it seems , be tried by the basest of metals . To-day ' s proceedings are a great moral lesson that cannot be regarded with impunity , either by Lord Zetland or by those who presume to be his advisers . Brethren , I have often had to advert with gratitude to the truly masonic appeals of our Chairmen in behalf of this charity ; your voices will go with me today in the acknowledgment of the surpassing kindness of the present noble Chairman ; but then , my friends , could we not rely on him who possesses a great heart , which is enshrined in a noble and generous chivalry that bids a weeping nation to mourn no
more" Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy . " I am justified in averring that all these unbecoming objections have been triumphantly refuted ; and the workmen will proceed , and the Temple will be erected . In our hour of need , as if to prove their appreciation of our cause , it is my pleasing duty to state that a number of ladies have determined to present purses containing five guineas each , as an oblation at the shrine of charity . This declaration will deliht
g , but not surprise . Is not this conduct truly noble ? Yes , may God bless them ! They will be rewarded ; for by bestowing happiness on others , they discover the most cheerful mode of ensuring it to themselves . " Oh great character of woman ! that even in this shadow and faint reflection of it , purifies the heart , and raises the exalted nature nearer to the Angels . "
Brethren , old age in its poverty may reflect on the past , it may be with bitterness and grief , for it may even have been sinful ; but that is an additional reason why we should step forward to succour and to save . Let us follow that golden precept of the wisest of men : —
" Do good with what thou hast , or it will do thee no good . " Old age is helpless , not clamorous ; its very silence is eloquence—a mute monitor of surpassing power—necessity urges the appeal . Alas ! my friends , how soon may your own necessity urge the appeal to others ! We are told to " rise up before the hoary head , and honour the face of the old man , " wherever we meet him , although he can plead no alliance with us but that of humanity—no right—no rank—no individual
obligation . Had the friends of the Asylum doubted the ultimate success of their object , they might have yielded to the pride , the obstinacy , and the prejudice—aye , and to the ingratitude and ignorance of their opponents ; but they were not dismayed , for they well knew , that sowing they should reap , and they persevered , and they will persevere . Brethren , let your benevolence be glowing with love—let your united
efforts to ameliorate the cares of poverty be directed by masonic patriotism , and become an honourable example to the world—not its shame . What is the real secret of our past success ?—Our CAUSE , not seductive , but sacred ! Based on charity , the heart—the heart—presaged success ;