Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
to express my sense of your kindness , ancl return my thanks for the gratifying ancl enthusiastic manner in which my name has been received . I am not a speechmaker , nor do I like the occupation , but what I do say comes from the heart and is sincere . This feeling of mine has been already well explained by our worthy and much-esteemed chaplain , Bro . Adamson , who prefaced the toast in hiseloquent , but I fear too partial address . I do indeed thank you , for I am not one of those individuals , who profess to look lightly upon the approval of their fellow-creatures . On the contrary , I value and am proud of receiving it , and deem it , whether
publicly or privately evinced , one of the greatest incentives a man can have in this world to induce him to continue to pursue such a course of conduct as will never forfeit that good opinion . If such is my idea in regard to the world at large , much more pleasing must it be to me to receive from my Brethren in Freemasonry so manifest a proof of their regard . Knowing ancl valuing the institution as I do , that it is an Order founded upon the purest principles of piety and virtue , that the most valuable earthly virtues are its attributes , viz : Charity and Mercy , ancl that it quietly and unostentatiouslpursues the even tenor of its way
y , making no noise , but doing good , throughout the world , for the most part unknown and unseen , and carrying out its admirable precepts and tenets without cessation , like the silent but constant movement of the calm ocean ; knowing all this , I repeat that much more pleasing must it be to me , to receive from you , my Masonic Brethren and friends , this proof of your regard , and deeply shall I value the testimonial , which I have been told awaits me , as will those who are connected with , and will possess it after , me . Believe me , that although I shall look upon your present with pride and pleasureI should have been equally proud of your
, simple expression of thanks , ancl if I have been so fortunate as to perforin my Masonic duties to your satisfaction , the latter would have been an ample reward to me , for I have only done my strict duty , any neglect of which would have made me guilty of a breach of trust , as all men are who accept a responsibility ancl evade it afterwards . I hope I shall not be deemed egotistical if I conclude with a few brief remarks , relating to the two Lodges under my jurisdiction in
this city . With the Albion , the oldest Lodge in Canada , T have this day commenced an acquaintance , by installing its Officers , whieh , I have no doubt , will now become more intimate . The pressure of my duties , as Master of St . John ' s Lodge , has alone prevented this during the past year . As regards the latter , now that my successor has assumed its government , some short statistics may not be out of place . A large amount of labour has been performed , twenty-four members have been admitted into the Order and added to its rolls , aud about the same number of Brethren have been advanced to the two higher degrees
respectively . Its financial affairs are in a most flourishing state , and its condition generally is very prosperous . The Albion Lodge is also steadily progressing , ancl there is , I am happy to say , perfect harmony existing in my district . I only hope that our united efforts in promoting this happy state of things , may not be rendered futile b y carelessness , neglect in future attendance , or lukewarmness . Very little time is really required , and a labour of love is easily performed . To the new Masters I need onl y say , in the language of the installation lecture I delivered to them this day , that tlie honor and usefulness of their Lodges and the happiness of
the Brethren will materially depend upon the skill and ability with which they discharge their duties , and the zeal and assiduity with which they promulgate the principles of the Craft , taking advantage of every opportunity forcibly to impress the dignity and importance of Freemasonry , and teaching the Brethren to practise out of Lodge those excellent precepts tbat are taught in it , so that when any one is said to be a Mason , the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrows , the distressed may prefer his suit , whose hand is guided by justiceaud whose heart is ever expanded by benevolence—always
, bearing in mind the golden rule , " Do unto others as you would they should do unto you . " My Brethren , once again I gratefully and sincerel y thank you . Bro . EAILTOJC , J . W . of the Prov . Grand Lodge , requested the Brethren to be all charged whilst he proposed a toast which could not fail to receive a cordial response from every breast . Eight Worshipful Sir , the toast which I have presumed to undertake is the health of our very worthy and much-esteemed friend
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
to express my sense of your kindness , ancl return my thanks for the gratifying ancl enthusiastic manner in which my name has been received . I am not a speechmaker , nor do I like the occupation , but what I do say comes from the heart and is sincere . This feeling of mine has been already well explained by our worthy and much-esteemed chaplain , Bro . Adamson , who prefaced the toast in hiseloquent , but I fear too partial address . I do indeed thank you , for I am not one of those individuals , who profess to look lightly upon the approval of their fellow-creatures . On the contrary , I value and am proud of receiving it , and deem it , whether
publicly or privately evinced , one of the greatest incentives a man can have in this world to induce him to continue to pursue such a course of conduct as will never forfeit that good opinion . If such is my idea in regard to the world at large , much more pleasing must it be to me to receive from my Brethren in Freemasonry so manifest a proof of their regard . Knowing ancl valuing the institution as I do , that it is an Order founded upon the purest principles of piety and virtue , that the most valuable earthly virtues are its attributes , viz : Charity and Mercy , ancl that it quietly and unostentatiouslpursues the even tenor of its way
y , making no noise , but doing good , throughout the world , for the most part unknown and unseen , and carrying out its admirable precepts and tenets without cessation , like the silent but constant movement of the calm ocean ; knowing all this , I repeat that much more pleasing must it be to me , to receive from you , my Masonic Brethren and friends , this proof of your regard , and deeply shall I value the testimonial , which I have been told awaits me , as will those who are connected with , and will possess it after , me . Believe me , that although I shall look upon your present with pride and pleasureI should have been equally proud of your
, simple expression of thanks , ancl if I have been so fortunate as to perforin my Masonic duties to your satisfaction , the latter would have been an ample reward to me , for I have only done my strict duty , any neglect of which would have made me guilty of a breach of trust , as all men are who accept a responsibility ancl evade it afterwards . I hope I shall not be deemed egotistical if I conclude with a few brief remarks , relating to the two Lodges under my jurisdiction in
this city . With the Albion , the oldest Lodge in Canada , T have this day commenced an acquaintance , by installing its Officers , whieh , I have no doubt , will now become more intimate . The pressure of my duties , as Master of St . John ' s Lodge , has alone prevented this during the past year . As regards the latter , now that my successor has assumed its government , some short statistics may not be out of place . A large amount of labour has been performed , twenty-four members have been admitted into the Order and added to its rolls , aud about the same number of Brethren have been advanced to the two higher degrees
respectively . Its financial affairs are in a most flourishing state , and its condition generally is very prosperous . The Albion Lodge is also steadily progressing , ancl there is , I am happy to say , perfect harmony existing in my district . I only hope that our united efforts in promoting this happy state of things , may not be rendered futile b y carelessness , neglect in future attendance , or lukewarmness . Very little time is really required , and a labour of love is easily performed . To the new Masters I need onl y say , in the language of the installation lecture I delivered to them this day , that tlie honor and usefulness of their Lodges and the happiness of
the Brethren will materially depend upon the skill and ability with which they discharge their duties , and the zeal and assiduity with which they promulgate the principles of the Craft , taking advantage of every opportunity forcibly to impress the dignity and importance of Freemasonry , and teaching the Brethren to practise out of Lodge those excellent precepts tbat are taught in it , so that when any one is said to be a Mason , the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrows , the distressed may prefer his suit , whose hand is guided by justiceaud whose heart is ever expanded by benevolence—always
, bearing in mind the golden rule , " Do unto others as you would they should do unto you . " My Brethren , once again I gratefully and sincerel y thank you . Bro . EAILTOJC , J . W . of the Prov . Grand Lodge , requested the Brethren to be all charged whilst he proposed a toast which could not fail to receive a cordial response from every breast . Eight Worshipful Sir , the toast which I have presumed to undertake is the health of our very worthy and much-esteemed friend