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Article THE CHARITIES. ← Page 2 of 12 →
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The Charities.
the most distinguished and respectable Freemasons of London and the neighbouring Provinces . An event so important to Freemasonry as the consecration of the first building that has ever been erected in this country for the shelter and maintenance of our aged and distressed Brethren , claims at our hands something more than a dry detail of facts ; it demands , as an appropriate introductionthe grateful tribute of onr respect and
vene-, ration for the memory of that Brother whose philanthropy suggested it , and whose ceaseless and untiring energy sustained it through a period of opposition and difficulty scarcely paralleled in the history of any other charitable institution . It demands also our highest eulogium for those benevolent brethren who have so nobly aided in placing the crowning stone not merely to this structure , but also to the beautiful arch of Freemasonry ; and it calls forthon behalf of the " United Craft" our
, , heartiest and warmest congratulations for the consummation of an act which renders the " circle of their Masonic duties complete . " With the march of time , and the advancement of civilization and refinement , must progress the practical utility of all moral and social institutions . Freemasonry—an institution pre-eminently calculated to advance mankind in every moral and social virtue—must not be left to linger on the road . With those of its members who have power and
influence , who possess the " wisdom to comprehend , judgment to define , and ability to enforce obedience to its precepts , " rests a great and serious , responsibility . It is their peculiar privilege to disseminate its tenetsit is their primary obligation to develope its resources . The great first principle of our creed is Charity . This is our boast ;
and for this we would exact the respect and admiration of the uninitiated and popular world . But we hail the event which we are about to record , as a joyous evidence of our onward progress—as a proof that we are not laggards , but that we are giving to the world sound practical illustration of the truth and value of our professions . With this brief exordium we proceed to a detail of the proceedings of the day . The Building Committeeto whom was entrusted the sole
manage-, ment of the affair , originally applied to the M . W . the Grand Master to preside at the ceremony ; but his Lordship , being prevented by important engagements , deputed the Right W . Bro . A . Dobie , Prov . Grand Master for the County , to officiate on the occasion ; and right worthil y did that distinguished Brother discharge the arduous and important duties imposed upon him . At a very early hourthe town of Croydon exhibited symptoms of
, unwonted bustle and activity , and many an upturned face anxiously scanned the lowering and inauspicious aspect of the heavens . As the morning advanced , however , the prospect brightened considerably , and by eleven o ' clock all apprehensions on the score- of weather were happily set at rest . By this time carriages filled with elegantly dressed ladies began to arrive in quick succession , whilst the railway hourly discharged large importations of the Brethren from London and the
adjacent towns and villages . Shortly before twelve o ' clock the children of the Royal Freemasons' Female School , GO in number , accompanied by Mrs . Crook , the Matron ; the Secretary , Bro . Crew ; and the Members of the House Committee , arrived in four omnibuses , and were driven to the residence of Bro . J . J . Blake , where they were most hospitably entertained by his amiable lady .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Charities.
the most distinguished and respectable Freemasons of London and the neighbouring Provinces . An event so important to Freemasonry as the consecration of the first building that has ever been erected in this country for the shelter and maintenance of our aged and distressed Brethren , claims at our hands something more than a dry detail of facts ; it demands , as an appropriate introductionthe grateful tribute of onr respect and
vene-, ration for the memory of that Brother whose philanthropy suggested it , and whose ceaseless and untiring energy sustained it through a period of opposition and difficulty scarcely paralleled in the history of any other charitable institution . It demands also our highest eulogium for those benevolent brethren who have so nobly aided in placing the crowning stone not merely to this structure , but also to the beautiful arch of Freemasonry ; and it calls forthon behalf of the " United Craft" our
, , heartiest and warmest congratulations for the consummation of an act which renders the " circle of their Masonic duties complete . " With the march of time , and the advancement of civilization and refinement , must progress the practical utility of all moral and social institutions . Freemasonry—an institution pre-eminently calculated to advance mankind in every moral and social virtue—must not be left to linger on the road . With those of its members who have power and
influence , who possess the " wisdom to comprehend , judgment to define , and ability to enforce obedience to its precepts , " rests a great and serious , responsibility . It is their peculiar privilege to disseminate its tenetsit is their primary obligation to develope its resources . The great first principle of our creed is Charity . This is our boast ;
and for this we would exact the respect and admiration of the uninitiated and popular world . But we hail the event which we are about to record , as a joyous evidence of our onward progress—as a proof that we are not laggards , but that we are giving to the world sound practical illustration of the truth and value of our professions . With this brief exordium we proceed to a detail of the proceedings of the day . The Building Committeeto whom was entrusted the sole
manage-, ment of the affair , originally applied to the M . W . the Grand Master to preside at the ceremony ; but his Lordship , being prevented by important engagements , deputed the Right W . Bro . A . Dobie , Prov . Grand Master for the County , to officiate on the occasion ; and right worthil y did that distinguished Brother discharge the arduous and important duties imposed upon him . At a very early hourthe town of Croydon exhibited symptoms of
, unwonted bustle and activity , and many an upturned face anxiously scanned the lowering and inauspicious aspect of the heavens . As the morning advanced , however , the prospect brightened considerably , and by eleven o ' clock all apprehensions on the score- of weather were happily set at rest . By this time carriages filled with elegantly dressed ladies began to arrive in quick succession , whilst the railway hourly discharged large importations of the Brethren from London and the
adjacent towns and villages . Shortly before twelve o ' clock the children of the Royal Freemasons' Female School , GO in number , accompanied by Mrs . Crook , the Matron ; the Secretary , Bro . Crew ; and the Members of the House Committee , arrived in four omnibuses , and were driven to the residence of Bro . J . J . Blake , where they were most hospitably entertained by his amiable lady .