Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
others had heen revived , and all had lately received such an accession of members , as clearly manifested the increasing prosperity of the Craft—¦ ( cheers ) . The meeting of that day would undoubtedly tend still further to advance the reputation and interests of the Order , and his own exertions would never be spared to uphold and promote them . The AV . M . again rose , and spoke as follows : — " I am well aware that any thing in the shape of prolixity will much interfere with the discreet and well-tempered conviviality , that best
" ' Frames the mind to mirth and merriment . Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life ;' " but it is somewhat essential to a proper appreciation of the object of this festival , that I should make a few observations in proposing the next toast . After my lengthened intrusion upon your patience this morning , I feel that it would be very ill taste in me , were I to attempt further to dilate upon the joyous event which has brought from this ancl the
neighbouring provinces so respectable and influential an assembly . For whatever I might now choose to express in reference to such an occurrence , would necessarily leave much that could not be embodied , either in ordinary language , or within a very narrow compass ; and much , also , that could only be felt in proportion to the interest taken by the various Bretliren present , in the triumphant progress of intellectualMasonry ; besides , I am by no means desirous of anticipating any of those remarks of much and than
which succeeding speakers , greater ability experience myself , will , doubtless , offer to your consideration . Were I not persuaded that all who are now participating in the festivities of the day , cheerfully acknowledge that our commemoration is one worthy of a pure and elevated cause , 1 should not now request you to charge the sparkling glass to an overflow . The promptitude displayed by the members of the neighbouring Lodges , in responding to the call made upon them for their attendance here this day , in approval of our design , renders
that design particularly valuable to the Brethren of my own Lodge , and doubly so , if possible , to myself , as being one of its earliest promoters . It is a festival which reminds us how much may be accomplished even by individual exertions , when divested of all personal interest and ambition , and purely directed to the advancement of the happiness and welfare of mankind . It invites us to reflect how many associations would cling to the Shakspeare Lodge , were it possible to
trace , with accuracy , the Masonic pilgrimage of those , whose spirit reared it , as another shrine to the honour of the ' Royal Craft . ' It bids us , who are now walking in the pathway of comparative prosperity , to have ' a heart open as day , ' to the reminiscences of those whose trials of poverty may have presented an ' unconquerable bar' to their enjoyment of the usual comforts and advantages of life . Again , it recalls to our recollection that , during the lapse of time which has
intervened since the formation of this Lodge , not only has every year witnessed some addition to the roll of our Masonic colleagues—which , in a town like Warwick , so little affected by the ebb and flow of commercial enterprise , is a matter of sincere congratulation;—but that those so admitted to participate in the honours of the Fraternity have gained no small degree of distinction among their fellow-men , for their inflexible adherence to our privileges , and their faithful practice of all those social duties which the rules of our Order so rigidly enjoin . It also appeals to our judgments , as men , daily and hourly , to uphold
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
others had heen revived , and all had lately received such an accession of members , as clearly manifested the increasing prosperity of the Craft—¦ ( cheers ) . The meeting of that day would undoubtedly tend still further to advance the reputation and interests of the Order , and his own exertions would never be spared to uphold and promote them . The AV . M . again rose , and spoke as follows : — " I am well aware that any thing in the shape of prolixity will much interfere with the discreet and well-tempered conviviality , that best
" ' Frames the mind to mirth and merriment . Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life ;' " but it is somewhat essential to a proper appreciation of the object of this festival , that I should make a few observations in proposing the next toast . After my lengthened intrusion upon your patience this morning , I feel that it would be very ill taste in me , were I to attempt further to dilate upon the joyous event which has brought from this ancl the
neighbouring provinces so respectable and influential an assembly . For whatever I might now choose to express in reference to such an occurrence , would necessarily leave much that could not be embodied , either in ordinary language , or within a very narrow compass ; and much , also , that could only be felt in proportion to the interest taken by the various Bretliren present , in the triumphant progress of intellectualMasonry ; besides , I am by no means desirous of anticipating any of those remarks of much and than
which succeeding speakers , greater ability experience myself , will , doubtless , offer to your consideration . Were I not persuaded that all who are now participating in the festivities of the day , cheerfully acknowledge that our commemoration is one worthy of a pure and elevated cause , 1 should not now request you to charge the sparkling glass to an overflow . The promptitude displayed by the members of the neighbouring Lodges , in responding to the call made upon them for their attendance here this day , in approval of our design , renders
that design particularly valuable to the Brethren of my own Lodge , and doubly so , if possible , to myself , as being one of its earliest promoters . It is a festival which reminds us how much may be accomplished even by individual exertions , when divested of all personal interest and ambition , and purely directed to the advancement of the happiness and welfare of mankind . It invites us to reflect how many associations would cling to the Shakspeare Lodge , were it possible to
trace , with accuracy , the Masonic pilgrimage of those , whose spirit reared it , as another shrine to the honour of the ' Royal Craft . ' It bids us , who are now walking in the pathway of comparative prosperity , to have ' a heart open as day , ' to the reminiscences of those whose trials of poverty may have presented an ' unconquerable bar' to their enjoyment of the usual comforts and advantages of life . Again , it recalls to our recollection that , during the lapse of time which has
intervened since the formation of this Lodge , not only has every year witnessed some addition to the roll of our Masonic colleagues—which , in a town like Warwick , so little affected by the ebb and flow of commercial enterprise , is a matter of sincere congratulation;—but that those so admitted to participate in the honours of the Fraternity have gained no small degree of distinction among their fellow-men , for their inflexible adherence to our privileges , and their faithful practice of all those social duties which the rules of our Order so rigidly enjoin . It also appeals to our judgments , as men , daily and hourly , to uphold