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Article ADDRESS OF MAJOR-GENERAL COOKE ← Page 2 of 5 →
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Address Of Major-General Cooke
services in the administration of what I deem a common duty , you also virtually anticipate the theme of my subject in returning thanks ; and , in so doing , I hardly need say that you forbid even the attempt to lead you into any other than a most familiar path . And I am glad that it is so ; I am glad that Masonry stands out so pre-eminently that its character can he known and read , of all men . The sun is not the less glorious to my eye because I know that he has been shining upon
the world for ages , and that all the dwellers upon earth are familiar with his illuminating and quickening beams ; nor is the theme of Freemasonry the less grateful to my heart because I know that eloquent tongues and eloquent pens have glowed with it , until nothing that is worthy to be said can be said , but at the expense of acknowledged repetition . 1 aspire , my clear friends , to no higher task on this hallowed ¦ day than that which he who exhibits a magnificent picture performs , as
he calls the attention of his visitors to its more striking peculiarities , while yet they can examine it for themselves as minutely as they will . Here then is my picture , soaring as if amidst the splendour of the sun , and I shall have fulfilled my wishes if I may be permitted to hope you will not only mutually admire with me its general harmony , beauty , and
incomparable effect , but pause a little upon those peculiar features out of which its irresistible attraction chiefly arises . I am well aware , sir and brethren , of the exalted station I occupy in the Grand Lodge , as well as of the high estimation in which my humble name is held by the nobility and clergy , the faculty , and others throughout the < > rder ; such a mark of distinction is very rare , and cannot but be appreciated by any individual , but in my case there are circumstances which are peculiar , and , if possible , enhance the honour
which has been conferred on me . I may instance my having arrived in England a mere stranger and comparatively unknown , consequently unable personally to return the many courtesies ancl attentions 1 have received ; but let me remind you I never overlook the source from whence all this emanates . Need I utter that all originated in the body of this assembly ? And need I add , that I rejoice St . Paul ' s Lodge now has increased claims on the Grand Lodges of England and America , and that it has emphatically merited , ancl in some small measure realized , its reward for that Christian civility which is characteristic
of our common brotherhood . You , I doubt not , know that I have been extensively engaged in observing the Masonic labours of Great Britain , Ireland , and other countries ; that I have largely participated in the kind bounty of all classes of society ; and when I tell you that , though I have had much to see and , perhaps , more to admire , it has been admitted , and without exaggeration too , by many not conversant with my intimacy among you , that the work of St . Paul's Lodge was as near precise as could be , it must
and does , I am sure , afford you unqualified gratification . As an evidence of my individual approbation , often as I may be asked by an American craftsman for an introduction to a British Mason ' s heart or a British Mason ' s fortress , St . Paul's Lodge , above all others , will have the precedence for uniformity of work and for its strict observance of those cardinal virtues—Faith , Hope , and Charity . Do not mistake me ; I do not allude to the mere symbolic form of alms-giving , but to charity , in its purest , largest , most comprehensive form—the charity ¦ which bids us put THE BEST CONSTRUCTION upon the acts ancl motives of Others . By your own works this day I am shown that Masonry is not
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Address Of Major-General Cooke
services in the administration of what I deem a common duty , you also virtually anticipate the theme of my subject in returning thanks ; and , in so doing , I hardly need say that you forbid even the attempt to lead you into any other than a most familiar path . And I am glad that it is so ; I am glad that Masonry stands out so pre-eminently that its character can he known and read , of all men . The sun is not the less glorious to my eye because I know that he has been shining upon
the world for ages , and that all the dwellers upon earth are familiar with his illuminating and quickening beams ; nor is the theme of Freemasonry the less grateful to my heart because I know that eloquent tongues and eloquent pens have glowed with it , until nothing that is worthy to be said can be said , but at the expense of acknowledged repetition . 1 aspire , my clear friends , to no higher task on this hallowed ¦ day than that which he who exhibits a magnificent picture performs , as
he calls the attention of his visitors to its more striking peculiarities , while yet they can examine it for themselves as minutely as they will . Here then is my picture , soaring as if amidst the splendour of the sun , and I shall have fulfilled my wishes if I may be permitted to hope you will not only mutually admire with me its general harmony , beauty , and
incomparable effect , but pause a little upon those peculiar features out of which its irresistible attraction chiefly arises . I am well aware , sir and brethren , of the exalted station I occupy in the Grand Lodge , as well as of the high estimation in which my humble name is held by the nobility and clergy , the faculty , and others throughout the < > rder ; such a mark of distinction is very rare , and cannot but be appreciated by any individual , but in my case there are circumstances which are peculiar , and , if possible , enhance the honour
which has been conferred on me . I may instance my having arrived in England a mere stranger and comparatively unknown , consequently unable personally to return the many courtesies ancl attentions 1 have received ; but let me remind you I never overlook the source from whence all this emanates . Need I utter that all originated in the body of this assembly ? And need I add , that I rejoice St . Paul ' s Lodge now has increased claims on the Grand Lodges of England and America , and that it has emphatically merited , ancl in some small measure realized , its reward for that Christian civility which is characteristic
of our common brotherhood . You , I doubt not , know that I have been extensively engaged in observing the Masonic labours of Great Britain , Ireland , and other countries ; that I have largely participated in the kind bounty of all classes of society ; and when I tell you that , though I have had much to see and , perhaps , more to admire , it has been admitted , and without exaggeration too , by many not conversant with my intimacy among you , that the work of St . Paul's Lodge was as near precise as could be , it must
and does , I am sure , afford you unqualified gratification . As an evidence of my individual approbation , often as I may be asked by an American craftsman for an introduction to a British Mason ' s heart or a British Mason ' s fortress , St . Paul's Lodge , above all others , will have the precedence for uniformity of work and for its strict observance of those cardinal virtues—Faith , Hope , and Charity . Do not mistake me ; I do not allude to the mere symbolic form of alms-giving , but to charity , in its purest , largest , most comprehensive form—the charity ¦ which bids us put THE BEST CONSTRUCTION upon the acts ancl motives of Others . By your own works this day I am shown that Masonry is not