Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
Bro . GEOBC . E HE _ OEI _ SOS ' , a well-known and hi ghly-respected citizen , who exhibited on his breast the laurels of mauy a hard fight , was proud to say that be had fought under the noble Duke in the Peninsula and in India , and begged to offer his thanks , a soldier ' s gratitude , for the feeling which prompted the mention of the illustrious dead .
The toast was drank in solemn silence . It having been intended to present a testimonial to E . W . Bro . Harington , for his zeal and valued services in the cause of Masonry , the Eev . Chaplain again rose to request attention , and proposed the health of the Prov . Grand Master , with the following remarks : — By the kind partiality of the Brethren , I have been requested to propose the health of the E . W . P . G . Master . Sincerely do I wish that this pleasing duty
had devolved upon some Brother whose talent would enable him to discharge it with deference to your feelings , E . W . Brother , while giving due expression to the motives which bave actuated the Brethren who surround you . For , Sir , it is a delicate and a difficult task to expatiate on the qualities which have conciliated the esteem and secured the regard of the Brethren , in the presence of a man of feeling , particularly if that man be one , as in the present case , whose honest nature would revolt from anything which bordered upon flattery . And certainly I should fail to do mere justice to the Brethren , did I not say that they recognise in you
qualities of which you have reason to be proud , and by me express their thanks for services for which they are grateful . What , then , am I to do in this difficulty ? In your presence I cannot speak your praises , surrounded as I am by Brethren who know your worth . I shall fall short of their expectations , ancl betray the trust they have reposed in me if I am silent . I remember having read of a poet who proposed to write an ode in praise of a noble Athenian , whose public services had been great , and whose private virtues were acknowledged ; but received for answer that "it was unnecessary , for no one had ever blamed him . " May I not shelter myself under this apology , and ask the question , who ever heard a disparaging word of Harington ? It was intended to present you , E . W . G . M .,
with a piece of plate , for which the Brethren have subscribed ; but it was found that a suitable article was not to be obtained in Quebec , so that we have been obliged to send for it to England . The inscription which it will bear upon its front will be a record of the feeling entertained towards you , Eight W . Sir , in every inhabited poi'tion of this rude Province . There will be engraven the words — " Gratitude for services rendered to the Craft by your untiring zeal , unwearied actions , admirable discretion , and true benevolence . " Zeal , which has been conspicuous in promoting the welfare of every Lodge in Canada , in extending the
influence of Masonry , ancl in doing good to the Brotherhood ; discretion , which has known where to stoop where stooping was to conquer ; and charity , which delighted to clo good in secret , to visit the fatherless in their affliction , to assist the weak , the erring , to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted , to cause the widow ' s heart to sing for joy . These , Sir , are some of the acts whicli those who know you best , and therefoi'e regard you most , have recognised in your conductacts which have already gained i ' or you the affectionate esteem of all to whom you are known , and perseverance in the exercise of which will , we doubt not , through Divine lead
mercy , you forward to great reward hereafter . " The good that men do lives after them , " and I think it not too much to say , that when the polish on the plate which I speak of shall have become tarnished—when the letters sunk into its surface , worn by time , shall become indistinct or illegible , the name of Thomas Douglas Harington will remain engraven in bright and unsullied characters upon the hearts of Canadian Masons . The . toast was greeted with immense plaudits , which had scarcely subsided , wdien Brother Harington , under the deepest emotion , returned thanks in the following manner : — Bear with me , Brethren , a short lime , while I endeavour , though imperfectly ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
Bro . GEOBC . E HE _ OEI _ SOS ' , a well-known and hi ghly-respected citizen , who exhibited on his breast the laurels of mauy a hard fight , was proud to say that be had fought under the noble Duke in the Peninsula and in India , and begged to offer his thanks , a soldier ' s gratitude , for the feeling which prompted the mention of the illustrious dead .
The toast was drank in solemn silence . It having been intended to present a testimonial to E . W . Bro . Harington , for his zeal and valued services in the cause of Masonry , the Eev . Chaplain again rose to request attention , and proposed the health of the Prov . Grand Master , with the following remarks : — By the kind partiality of the Brethren , I have been requested to propose the health of the E . W . P . G . Master . Sincerely do I wish that this pleasing duty
had devolved upon some Brother whose talent would enable him to discharge it with deference to your feelings , E . W . Brother , while giving due expression to the motives which bave actuated the Brethren who surround you . For , Sir , it is a delicate and a difficult task to expatiate on the qualities which have conciliated the esteem and secured the regard of the Brethren , in the presence of a man of feeling , particularly if that man be one , as in the present case , whose honest nature would revolt from anything which bordered upon flattery . And certainly I should fail to do mere justice to the Brethren , did I not say that they recognise in you
qualities of which you have reason to be proud , and by me express their thanks for services for which they are grateful . What , then , am I to do in this difficulty ? In your presence I cannot speak your praises , surrounded as I am by Brethren who know your worth . I shall fall short of their expectations , ancl betray the trust they have reposed in me if I am silent . I remember having read of a poet who proposed to write an ode in praise of a noble Athenian , whose public services had been great , and whose private virtues were acknowledged ; but received for answer that "it was unnecessary , for no one had ever blamed him . " May I not shelter myself under this apology , and ask the question , who ever heard a disparaging word of Harington ? It was intended to present you , E . W . G . M .,
with a piece of plate , for which the Brethren have subscribed ; but it was found that a suitable article was not to be obtained in Quebec , so that we have been obliged to send for it to England . The inscription which it will bear upon its front will be a record of the feeling entertained towards you , Eight W . Sir , in every inhabited poi'tion of this rude Province . There will be engraven the words — " Gratitude for services rendered to the Craft by your untiring zeal , unwearied actions , admirable discretion , and true benevolence . " Zeal , which has been conspicuous in promoting the welfare of every Lodge in Canada , in extending the
influence of Masonry , ancl in doing good to the Brotherhood ; discretion , which has known where to stoop where stooping was to conquer ; and charity , which delighted to clo good in secret , to visit the fatherless in their affliction , to assist the weak , the erring , to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted , to cause the widow ' s heart to sing for joy . These , Sir , are some of the acts whicli those who know you best , and therefoi'e regard you most , have recognised in your conductacts which have already gained i ' or you the affectionate esteem of all to whom you are known , and perseverance in the exercise of which will , we doubt not , through Divine lead
mercy , you forward to great reward hereafter . " The good that men do lives after them , " and I think it not too much to say , that when the polish on the plate which I speak of shall have become tarnished—when the letters sunk into its surface , worn by time , shall become indistinct or illegible , the name of Thomas Douglas Harington will remain engraven in bright and unsullied characters upon the hearts of Canadian Masons . The . toast was greeted with immense plaudits , which had scarcely subsided , wdien Brother Harington , under the deepest emotion , returned thanks in the following manner : — Bear with me , Brethren , a short lime , while I endeavour , though imperfectly ,