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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 11 of 25 →
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Provincial.
general toasts of the evening were cordially received , and the great exertions of the host ( Brother Harris ) , to contribute to the enjoyment of his friends , must be noticed with but one object , namely , to be commended . " Independent of the above notice , we consider it essentially necessary , more particularly at this period , to report at length the appropriate observations made by Brother SHARP , P . M ., in proposing the health of Dr . Oliver . The AVorshipful Brother said ;
I here are some tasks , which however embarrassing in their nature , derive an interest of most engrossing and delightful character , from the very difficulties which surround them . To surmount these obstacles to a free and unfettered course of action , is an effort worthy only of being undertaken in a cause , the purity and greatness of which are derived from their capabilities of cementing the links of the social chain , and thereby materially advancing the moral happiness of mankind . It is in such a cause that the natural energies of man are best displayedand
, legitimately exercised . It is to the performance of such a task ( one , the least mention of which confers the highest honour on the individual entrusted with it ) , that a man can conscientiously bring to his aid the best powers of his mind , and the kindliest emotions of his heart . It is to such a cause , —upon which neither rank nor station can reflect increased lustre , nor learning or eloquence impart an additional charm , — that I am permitted to lend , upon this interesting occasion , nay feeble
advocacy . " If it be true , that to cherish the fame and extol the virtues of distinguished men , is to display a love of virtue itself , how prominently does the sentiment become impressed upon our attention , in reference to what is daily passing under our view in the Masonic world , —a world that might , sand , indeed , ought to be peopled by men free from all bitterness of spirit , all acrimony of disposition—making Masonry what our present illustrious M . AV . Grand Master , in 1813 , described it to be ; namely , ' one of the most sublime and perfect institutions that ever was
formed for the advancement of the happiness and general good of mankind , creating , in all its varieties , universal benevolence and brotherly love . ' In reflectingupon these benevolent principles , which we are banded together to practise and perpetuate , we naturally associate them with the moral purity , profound learning , and Masonic acquirements of those giant spirits of the age , to whose useful labours may justly be attributed the unparalleled progress which Freemasonry has , happily for mankind ,
made within the last half-century . The flight of time—embracing the ordinary tenure and accidents of human life—has removed from the sphere of active usefulness , many who were capable of awakening the hearts of men to the comprehensive nature of those objects which are identified with the hallowed mysteries of our Order . The ' pale ensign ' of death has waved too frequently over the Masonic citadel , to have escaped the notice even of the most reckless and indifferent amongst us .
Fortunately , however , although many of our Fraternity have passed through the mysterious darkness of another degree , and , I trust , with triumph , been removed from the Mosaic pavement below , to one belonging to that Lodge not made with hands , —eternal in the heavens , — there are some left amongst us , who , having withstood the shocks of time , still serve as ancient landmarks to the members of the Craft , to guide their erring footsteps , and act as a lantern to their feet , whilst progressing by degrees , through this sublunary field of trial , preparatory to their initiation into the sublimer mysteries of another and a better state . VOL . ix . x T
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
general toasts of the evening were cordially received , and the great exertions of the host ( Brother Harris ) , to contribute to the enjoyment of his friends , must be noticed with but one object , namely , to be commended . " Independent of the above notice , we consider it essentially necessary , more particularly at this period , to report at length the appropriate observations made by Brother SHARP , P . M ., in proposing the health of Dr . Oliver . The AVorshipful Brother said ;
I here are some tasks , which however embarrassing in their nature , derive an interest of most engrossing and delightful character , from the very difficulties which surround them . To surmount these obstacles to a free and unfettered course of action , is an effort worthy only of being undertaken in a cause , the purity and greatness of which are derived from their capabilities of cementing the links of the social chain , and thereby materially advancing the moral happiness of mankind . It is in such a cause that the natural energies of man are best displayedand
, legitimately exercised . It is to the performance of such a task ( one , the least mention of which confers the highest honour on the individual entrusted with it ) , that a man can conscientiously bring to his aid the best powers of his mind , and the kindliest emotions of his heart . It is to such a cause , —upon which neither rank nor station can reflect increased lustre , nor learning or eloquence impart an additional charm , — that I am permitted to lend , upon this interesting occasion , nay feeble
advocacy . " If it be true , that to cherish the fame and extol the virtues of distinguished men , is to display a love of virtue itself , how prominently does the sentiment become impressed upon our attention , in reference to what is daily passing under our view in the Masonic world , —a world that might , sand , indeed , ought to be peopled by men free from all bitterness of spirit , all acrimony of disposition—making Masonry what our present illustrious M . AV . Grand Master , in 1813 , described it to be ; namely , ' one of the most sublime and perfect institutions that ever was
formed for the advancement of the happiness and general good of mankind , creating , in all its varieties , universal benevolence and brotherly love . ' In reflectingupon these benevolent principles , which we are banded together to practise and perpetuate , we naturally associate them with the moral purity , profound learning , and Masonic acquirements of those giant spirits of the age , to whose useful labours may justly be attributed the unparalleled progress which Freemasonry has , happily for mankind ,
made within the last half-century . The flight of time—embracing the ordinary tenure and accidents of human life—has removed from the sphere of active usefulness , many who were capable of awakening the hearts of men to the comprehensive nature of those objects which are identified with the hallowed mysteries of our Order . The ' pale ensign ' of death has waved too frequently over the Masonic citadel , to have escaped the notice even of the most reckless and indifferent amongst us .
Fortunately , however , although many of our Fraternity have passed through the mysterious darkness of another degree , and , I trust , with triumph , been removed from the Mosaic pavement below , to one belonging to that Lodge not made with hands , —eternal in the heavens , — there are some left amongst us , who , having withstood the shocks of time , still serve as ancient landmarks to the members of the Craft , to guide their erring footsteps , and act as a lantern to their feet , whilst progressing by degrees , through this sublunary field of trial , preparatory to their initiation into the sublimer mysteries of another and a better state . VOL . ix . x T