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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 10 of 28 →
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Provincial.
Bro . A . R . MARTIN , having been called upon , said he was deputed by his Brother stewards to return thanks for the manner in which this compliment hacl been paid to tbem . It was like doing double duty for him to talk as well as to sing ; but he objected to neither if either would give tlie Brethren any satisfaction . They had an office to fill ancl did not wish to make it an idle one , but exerted themselves with fervency to add to the comfort of those on whom thwere required to attend .
ey AVhen they were first initiated into Masonry , they were , of course , unable to perceive—notwithstanding the preparation which they hacl undergone , and their preconceived favourable opinion of the sciencethe concealed glory of its symbols and mysteries ; but having been shown the light , what had at first to their uninformed and clouded irrtellect appeared merely to he casual and external ornaments , were discovered to be pregnant with deep meaning , and rich in their power
to instruct in the paths of nature , virtue , ancl science . Encouraged by these discoveries they determined to persevere in their researches , and had reaped a bright reward for their labours . Not the least satisfactory return for the expenditure of their time and energies was the conviction that they hacl deserved , ancl were honoured with , the confidence and approbation of the Brethren . They were still but young Alasons , and it might be asked what qualities did they exhibit that they should so soon have attained their present position in the Grand Lodge ? They would reply in the words of the Persian fabulist : — " A piece of scented ¦
clay was once asked , Art thou musk or ambergris ? ' The answer was , * I was sometime in company with the sweet smelling rose , and if I have any fragrance , it was the quality of my lovely companion that imparted itself to me . '" So , if we are enabled to display any good quality for your enjoyment , we must attribute the possession of it to our connection with Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) It is one of the merits of the Order , that the efforts of the deserving are always appreciated ancl generally
rewarded—if not by those who admire their accomplishments , at least by the satisfaction that must dwell within their own breasts ; ancl that , however humble may be their station in the outer world , here they are entitled to rank with the highest and noblest , according to their acquirements and ability . You have been pleased to compliment us this evening ; aud 1 trust I do not abuse the privilege of speech which has been accorded to me , in saying , that if we have deserved well from you for the proper performance of the offices which we have accepted , we hope we shall not be unremembered by the R . AV . Deputy when any loftier rank in the Grand Lodge may be at his disposal . ( "Applause . 1
The R . AV . G . MASTER then gave the last toast on the list— "The Masters and AA ' ardens of Lodges "—expressing his gratification with their prompt attendance that day , and intimating the pleasure which he should have in seeing them in the intended procession on the following Friday . The toast was drunk with Masonic honours . The officers of the Grand Lodge then retired with the It . AV . G . Master and his Deputy in processional order , and the Brethren generally soon afterwards separated .
The Sailors' Home . —On the following Friday morning , the officers of the Grand Lodge and visitors above named , with many others from the Grand Lodges of the neighbouring Provinces , ancl more than a thousand Brethren subscribing to private Lodges , assembled at the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
Bro . A . R . MARTIN , having been called upon , said he was deputed by his Brother stewards to return thanks for the manner in which this compliment hacl been paid to tbem . It was like doing double duty for him to talk as well as to sing ; but he objected to neither if either would give tlie Brethren any satisfaction . They had an office to fill ancl did not wish to make it an idle one , but exerted themselves with fervency to add to the comfort of those on whom thwere required to attend .
ey AVhen they were first initiated into Masonry , they were , of course , unable to perceive—notwithstanding the preparation which they hacl undergone , and their preconceived favourable opinion of the sciencethe concealed glory of its symbols and mysteries ; but having been shown the light , what had at first to their uninformed and clouded irrtellect appeared merely to he casual and external ornaments , were discovered to be pregnant with deep meaning , and rich in their power
to instruct in the paths of nature , virtue , ancl science . Encouraged by these discoveries they determined to persevere in their researches , and had reaped a bright reward for their labours . Not the least satisfactory return for the expenditure of their time and energies was the conviction that they hacl deserved , ancl were honoured with , the confidence and approbation of the Brethren . They were still but young Alasons , and it might be asked what qualities did they exhibit that they should so soon have attained their present position in the Grand Lodge ? They would reply in the words of the Persian fabulist : — " A piece of scented ¦
clay was once asked , Art thou musk or ambergris ? ' The answer was , * I was sometime in company with the sweet smelling rose , and if I have any fragrance , it was the quality of my lovely companion that imparted itself to me . '" So , if we are enabled to display any good quality for your enjoyment , we must attribute the possession of it to our connection with Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) It is one of the merits of the Order , that the efforts of the deserving are always appreciated ancl generally
rewarded—if not by those who admire their accomplishments , at least by the satisfaction that must dwell within their own breasts ; ancl that , however humble may be their station in the outer world , here they are entitled to rank with the highest and noblest , according to their acquirements and ability . You have been pleased to compliment us this evening ; aud 1 trust I do not abuse the privilege of speech which has been accorded to me , in saying , that if we have deserved well from you for the proper performance of the offices which we have accepted , we hope we shall not be unremembered by the R . AV . Deputy when any loftier rank in the Grand Lodge may be at his disposal . ( "Applause . 1
The R . AV . G . MASTER then gave the last toast on the list— "The Masters and AA ' ardens of Lodges "—expressing his gratification with their prompt attendance that day , and intimating the pleasure which he should have in seeing them in the intended procession on the following Friday . The toast was drunk with Masonic honours . The officers of the Grand Lodge then retired with the It . AV . G . Master and his Deputy in processional order , and the Brethren generally soon afterwards separated .
The Sailors' Home . —On the following Friday morning , the officers of the Grand Lodge and visitors above named , with many others from the Grand Lodges of the neighbouring Provinces , ancl more than a thousand Brethren subscribing to private Lodges , assembled at the