Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
true to themselves , and did not tolerate evils within , they might bid defiance to all enemies from without . These are the things which prevent many from joining the fraternity , who from their character would prove pillars and ornaments to it . These are the things which make many regard Masonry as an enemy to the Christian religion ; to which when properly understood and conscientiously practised , it will ever be found an assistant and a handmaid . It is true the abuse of anything is no argument against" its use . But rememberthe world abroadknow Masonry onl
, , y through its professors ; and I again repeat , the deadliest wounds it has ever received have been in the house of its friends . I entreat my brethren , from the highest to the lowest , to feel the solemn obligation that rests on them , both individually and collectively , out of Lodge and in Lodge , to exert themselves to remove these imputations from our time honoured Institution . I assume the privilege both of age and of office to urge these things upon you , having no intention in doing so , of giving any offence . There are one or two points of minor importance on which , before I
conclude , I would touch . It is matter of pleasure and gratulation to see the Masonical jurisdictions of England and Scotland happily united under one head , going on harmoniously together in this province ; and what I would say to both on the subject is simply this " Let brotherly love continue . " It it further matter of congratulation to find our fund of Charity now assuming a proper form and placed under proper regulations . I have for many years felt that Masonry being a charitable Institution we were not in Nova Scotia making this object so prominent as it ought to be , as it has for sometime past depended altogether on the benevolence of private Lodges
to afford relief to applicants ; I trust this evil will now be remedied . It would seem to me also an object to be desired , to introduce a mode of working in every particular exactly uniform ; this might be done by visiting more generally from Lodge to Lodge , and by forming a lodge of instruction . It is evident that our members are on the increase , and also on this point I would say to Lodges generally , be not so anxious to augment your ranks as to obtain good and worthy members ; be particular as to your previous enquiries , and let no private feeling induce you to recommend any one for
admission , whom you do not , on good and sufficient grounds , conscientiously believe likely to make an honourable and worthy Brother . An unfit person once admitted may cling to you as a blot and stain for years . And again , ( here I speak especially to Masters of Lodges ) let no levity be permitted in the transaction of that which is serious , especially the initiation of a Brother , or con ferring of any degree . I have been grieved sometimes to witness on these occasions a trifling with solemn things ; and how can you hope that the individual most concerned will retain a sacred sense of what
he has undertaken , if the conduct of those about him leads him to conclude that they regard the matter as a jest . Having made these remarks , to which I am led by a desire to promote the best interests of the Craft , I exhort you to go on the path marked out ; having regard to that injunction which we cannot but do well if we keep in mind , " shew respect to all men , love the brotherhood , fear God , honour the Queen . And let me add an earnest aspiration to Almighty God , who has brought us thus near the close of another year , that as we are all advancing in our earthly pilgrimage we may be found also drawing nearer through repentance and faith in the only Saviour , to that mansion above , that " house not made with hands , eternal in the Heavens . " So mote it be .
The P . G . Lodge after this address was closed in due form . SINGAPORE . —The hon . the governor of the Straits Settlement , Lieutenant-Colonel W . J . Butterworth , C . B ., having requested the Brethren of Lodge Zetland in the East , No . 748 , to lay the foundation-stone of the Horsburgh Testimonial , or Lighthouse for all Nations , with the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
true to themselves , and did not tolerate evils within , they might bid defiance to all enemies from without . These are the things which prevent many from joining the fraternity , who from their character would prove pillars and ornaments to it . These are the things which make many regard Masonry as an enemy to the Christian religion ; to which when properly understood and conscientiously practised , it will ever be found an assistant and a handmaid . It is true the abuse of anything is no argument against" its use . But rememberthe world abroadknow Masonry onl
, , y through its professors ; and I again repeat , the deadliest wounds it has ever received have been in the house of its friends . I entreat my brethren , from the highest to the lowest , to feel the solemn obligation that rests on them , both individually and collectively , out of Lodge and in Lodge , to exert themselves to remove these imputations from our time honoured Institution . I assume the privilege both of age and of office to urge these things upon you , having no intention in doing so , of giving any offence . There are one or two points of minor importance on which , before I
conclude , I would touch . It is matter of pleasure and gratulation to see the Masonical jurisdictions of England and Scotland happily united under one head , going on harmoniously together in this province ; and what I would say to both on the subject is simply this " Let brotherly love continue . " It it further matter of congratulation to find our fund of Charity now assuming a proper form and placed under proper regulations . I have for many years felt that Masonry being a charitable Institution we were not in Nova Scotia making this object so prominent as it ought to be , as it has for sometime past depended altogether on the benevolence of private Lodges
to afford relief to applicants ; I trust this evil will now be remedied . It would seem to me also an object to be desired , to introduce a mode of working in every particular exactly uniform ; this might be done by visiting more generally from Lodge to Lodge , and by forming a lodge of instruction . It is evident that our members are on the increase , and also on this point I would say to Lodges generally , be not so anxious to augment your ranks as to obtain good and worthy members ; be particular as to your previous enquiries , and let no private feeling induce you to recommend any one for
admission , whom you do not , on good and sufficient grounds , conscientiously believe likely to make an honourable and worthy Brother . An unfit person once admitted may cling to you as a blot and stain for years . And again , ( here I speak especially to Masters of Lodges ) let no levity be permitted in the transaction of that which is serious , especially the initiation of a Brother , or con ferring of any degree . I have been grieved sometimes to witness on these occasions a trifling with solemn things ; and how can you hope that the individual most concerned will retain a sacred sense of what
he has undertaken , if the conduct of those about him leads him to conclude that they regard the matter as a jest . Having made these remarks , to which I am led by a desire to promote the best interests of the Craft , I exhort you to go on the path marked out ; having regard to that injunction which we cannot but do well if we keep in mind , " shew respect to all men , love the brotherhood , fear God , honour the Queen . And let me add an earnest aspiration to Almighty God , who has brought us thus near the close of another year , that as we are all advancing in our earthly pilgrimage we may be found also drawing nearer through repentance and faith in the only Saviour , to that mansion above , that " house not made with hands , eternal in the Heavens . " So mote it be .
The P . G . Lodge after this address was closed in due form . SINGAPORE . —The hon . the governor of the Straits Settlement , Lieutenant-Colonel W . J . Butterworth , C . B ., having requested the Brethren of Lodge Zetland in the East , No . 748 , to lay the foundation-stone of the Horsburgh Testimonial , or Lighthouse for all Nations , with the