-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 12 of 25 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
tressed , who looked on tlicm as kindly and as rcgardftdly as on others . This was the peculiar feature of Masonry , that it bound all classes as Brethren together ; whilst it also teaches us who it is that throws the beauty into the flower , nnd splondour into the star , and thus , as an esteemed Brother had already said , guides tis from nature up to nature ' s God . ( Applause . ) The rev . Brother concluded a most eloquent speech , of which the above is but a meagre abstract , by exhorting all in their respective spheres to zealously perform their allotted duties to their God , their country , and themselves .
The Pr . GRAND MASTER then gave "The "Visiting Brethren , " which was duly honoured . Bro . NEWLY , of the East Medina Lodge , returned thanks . Bro . HOLMES , P . M ., Romsey Lodge , said he had the pleasure of proposing as a toast , the health of the Rev . Pastor , who had that day given them so beautiful an exposition , not only of Masonry , but Christianity . ( Applause . ) That Rev . Gentleman had shown them that the Almighty did not send man into the world to be as a wolf to man , tearing each other to pieces ; and that though the evil spiHt had been permitted to come into the worldthe good
, spirit would yet ever and anon creep out and perform those acts of virtue which were the redeeming feature in man . The exposition of the principles of Christianity had been so able and so convincing , that a very deep imj > ression had been made on him ( Br . Holmes ) . He spoke now in the sincere language of a convinced man . Masons were often asked why they dressed themselves out in such gay and nice clothing , but they knew that everything had its meaning , being emblematic of some point or matter of import . It could not be supposed that they dressed themselves out in finery without any meaning being intended . ( Hearhear . ) The practical part of Masonry was not now among them ; but he
, would ask , were there not monuments of piety to be raised as well as of art 1 ( Applause . ) They were now speculative Masons—required to build up in our hearts that spiritual temple which is most pleasing to the Lord . Unless they met for that purpose , they met in vain . ( Hear . ) Meeting under the direction of such a Rev . Gentleman as they had heard that day , it would indeed be their
own faults were they not the better for'it . What were the principles of Masonry but those of Christianity , —love to God , and duty to man and themselves % The noble principles of Christianity had been distorted and disguised , but were now , with the march of civilization , being restored and recognised . Religion was now becoming piety , which latter was the proper word for Christianity . Piety is what ought to be displayed—love to God and duty to man ; piety detached from the hallucinations of the schools , and the acerbities of bigots . ( Hear , hear . ) Masons were not bigots ; they held their own individual opinions , but they condemned not those who thought differently to them ;
remembering the advice of their God , "Judge not , least ye be judged . " It was not for them to judge of the motives or condemn the opinions and faiths of others ; but in the beautiful language of the poet they would exclaim : —• " Let not my weak , unknowing hand , Presume thy bolts to throw , And deal damnation round the land , On each I judge thy foe . If I am right , thy grace impart , Still in the right to stay ;
If I am wrong , oh ! teach my heart To find that better way . Teach me to feel another ' s woe , To hide the fault I see ; That mercy I to others show , That mercy show to me . " That was genuine Freemasonry , and he wished those who were ignorant of its real nature could have an opportunity of seeing it in its integrity . ( Cheers . ) It was to be hopedthat some who now in their ignorance reviled the Order
, , woidd come and ascertain for themselves what it really was ; but if they did not come , they ( the Masons ) did not want them . ( Laughter . ) At all events , they were well off as they were ; they were perfectly satisfied with their own company , for neither dishonour , baseness , nor deceit attached to them . ( Applause . ) Freemasonry could not have existed so long , were it not founded on good and correct principles : and that very day persons , both Masons and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
tressed , who looked on tlicm as kindly and as rcgardftdly as on others . This was the peculiar feature of Masonry , that it bound all classes as Brethren together ; whilst it also teaches us who it is that throws the beauty into the flower , nnd splondour into the star , and thus , as an esteemed Brother had already said , guides tis from nature up to nature ' s God . ( Applause . ) The rev . Brother concluded a most eloquent speech , of which the above is but a meagre abstract , by exhorting all in their respective spheres to zealously perform their allotted duties to their God , their country , and themselves .
The Pr . GRAND MASTER then gave "The "Visiting Brethren , " which was duly honoured . Bro . NEWLY , of the East Medina Lodge , returned thanks . Bro . HOLMES , P . M ., Romsey Lodge , said he had the pleasure of proposing as a toast , the health of the Rev . Pastor , who had that day given them so beautiful an exposition , not only of Masonry , but Christianity . ( Applause . ) That Rev . Gentleman had shown them that the Almighty did not send man into the world to be as a wolf to man , tearing each other to pieces ; and that though the evil spiHt had been permitted to come into the worldthe good
, spirit would yet ever and anon creep out and perform those acts of virtue which were the redeeming feature in man . The exposition of the principles of Christianity had been so able and so convincing , that a very deep imj > ression had been made on him ( Br . Holmes ) . He spoke now in the sincere language of a convinced man . Masons were often asked why they dressed themselves out in such gay and nice clothing , but they knew that everything had its meaning , being emblematic of some point or matter of import . It could not be supposed that they dressed themselves out in finery without any meaning being intended . ( Hearhear . ) The practical part of Masonry was not now among them ; but he
, would ask , were there not monuments of piety to be raised as well as of art 1 ( Applause . ) They were now speculative Masons—required to build up in our hearts that spiritual temple which is most pleasing to the Lord . Unless they met for that purpose , they met in vain . ( Hear . ) Meeting under the direction of such a Rev . Gentleman as they had heard that day , it would indeed be their
own faults were they not the better for'it . What were the principles of Masonry but those of Christianity , —love to God , and duty to man and themselves % The noble principles of Christianity had been distorted and disguised , but were now , with the march of civilization , being restored and recognised . Religion was now becoming piety , which latter was the proper word for Christianity . Piety is what ought to be displayed—love to God and duty to man ; piety detached from the hallucinations of the schools , and the acerbities of bigots . ( Hear , hear . ) Masons were not bigots ; they held their own individual opinions , but they condemned not those who thought differently to them ;
remembering the advice of their God , "Judge not , least ye be judged . " It was not for them to judge of the motives or condemn the opinions and faiths of others ; but in the beautiful language of the poet they would exclaim : —• " Let not my weak , unknowing hand , Presume thy bolts to throw , And deal damnation round the land , On each I judge thy foe . If I am right , thy grace impart , Still in the right to stay ;
If I am wrong , oh ! teach my heart To find that better way . Teach me to feel another ' s woe , To hide the fault I see ; That mercy I to others show , That mercy show to me . " That was genuine Freemasonry , and he wished those who were ignorant of its real nature could have an opportunity of seeing it in its integrity . ( Cheers . ) It was to be hopedthat some who now in their ignorance reviled the Order
, , woidd come and ascertain for themselves what it really was ; but if they did not come , they ( the Masons ) did not want them . ( Laughter . ) At all events , they were well off as they were ; they were perfectly satisfied with their own company , for neither dishonour , baseness , nor deceit attached to them . ( Applause . ) Freemasonry could not have existed so long , were it not founded on good and correct principles : and that very day persons , both Masons and