Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
hear ) . For , brethren , you have often heard it inculcated in the tyled recesses of your lodges , that relief is a duty man owes to his fellow-man . How much more , then , do the destitute orphans of those who have pledged their fidelity at the same altar with you and I demand the exercise of this most benignant principle . The infirmities of human nature strengthen the claims of hel pless innocent childhood . It is the right of the worthy but decayed Alason ( I mean in a pecuniary point of view )
, to look for aid from a brother , as well as the assistance of his advice ancl protection ; but I put it to you , brethren , who are parents , and knowing that riches and prosperity are but fading influences—mere imaginary lines that a day might blot out—and he that is now in the enjoyment of the world ' s good , might , ere long , be plunged into the lowest depths of poverty and distress . AA ' ould it not , thus circumstanced , be a vast diminution of his misfortunes that the dear object of his solicitudehis child
, , be protected and sheltered from the attacks of a cold and heartless world ?—( Hear , hear . ) That she would , at least , be sure of a shelter in this little refuge I am noiv the humble instrument of suggesting to you , where she may be taught the principles of virtue and religion ; and , in her orisons , she would supplicate the Throne of Grace to shed a blessing on that society who had thus protected her from the snares of vice and follyand placed her in the course of purity . That will
, you admit the justness of these observations I cannot for a moment doubt . Remember the high authority which says— " By your fruits ye shall be known . " You have , each and all of us have , been often asked , " AVhat is Masonry ? " Let this asylum , when erected , be your answer . And this can only be done by a hearty co-operation to assist in laying the foundation stone , by a liberal subscription this evening . Remember
that the blessing of the Great Architect of the universe will hallow the undertaking ; for its good you will perceive here , and the reward of your exertion will be in eternity . This , brethren , is a proposition in which our Right AA'orsbipful Grand Master , the Archdeacon , most heartily concurs ; whatever , therefore , you are disposed to give this night will be placed in the hands of the Grand Treasurer , as the nucleus of a fund to be devoted to the erection of the Ulster Alasonic Female Orphan Asylum ; and I feel thaton proposing " Our distressed Brethren" I could not
, , have prefaced it with more suitable observations . —( The toast ivas then drank with the usual masonic honours ) . The Stewards , assisted by the Deacons , collected from the different tables a considerable amount , which , with the sums promised by those bretliren who were unprepared at the moment , will enable the committee , in a short period , to commence carrying out this desirable object . The CHAIRMAN then rose to retirewhich was the signal for loud
, cheering . Before leaving , he complimented the brethren upon the ortler and regularity observed during the evening , aud after wishing " good evening" to all present , left the room amid the most deafening and prolonged plaudits . Bro . COLLINS , having been called upon , rose to propose the next toast , " the AVives , Sisters , and Daughters of Masons . " In the course of an eloquent and humourous addressthe worthbrother paid a just tribute
, y to the character and varied excellencies of woman , in the different relations of wife , sister , and mother . As regarded the first class of the three into which the toast divided itself , he remarked that there were many brethren present who could not as yet boast of such a tender association , but they no doubt looked forward to that time , when to such a toast each man would be enabled to rise and say for himself , that he was in a posi-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
hear ) . For , brethren , you have often heard it inculcated in the tyled recesses of your lodges , that relief is a duty man owes to his fellow-man . How much more , then , do the destitute orphans of those who have pledged their fidelity at the same altar with you and I demand the exercise of this most benignant principle . The infirmities of human nature strengthen the claims of hel pless innocent childhood . It is the right of the worthy but decayed Alason ( I mean in a pecuniary point of view )
, to look for aid from a brother , as well as the assistance of his advice ancl protection ; but I put it to you , brethren , who are parents , and knowing that riches and prosperity are but fading influences—mere imaginary lines that a day might blot out—and he that is now in the enjoyment of the world ' s good , might , ere long , be plunged into the lowest depths of poverty and distress . AA ' ould it not , thus circumstanced , be a vast diminution of his misfortunes that the dear object of his solicitudehis child
, , be protected and sheltered from the attacks of a cold and heartless world ?—( Hear , hear . ) That she would , at least , be sure of a shelter in this little refuge I am noiv the humble instrument of suggesting to you , where she may be taught the principles of virtue and religion ; and , in her orisons , she would supplicate the Throne of Grace to shed a blessing on that society who had thus protected her from the snares of vice and follyand placed her in the course of purity . That will
, you admit the justness of these observations I cannot for a moment doubt . Remember the high authority which says— " By your fruits ye shall be known . " You have , each and all of us have , been often asked , " AVhat is Masonry ? " Let this asylum , when erected , be your answer . And this can only be done by a hearty co-operation to assist in laying the foundation stone , by a liberal subscription this evening . Remember
that the blessing of the Great Architect of the universe will hallow the undertaking ; for its good you will perceive here , and the reward of your exertion will be in eternity . This , brethren , is a proposition in which our Right AA'orsbipful Grand Master , the Archdeacon , most heartily concurs ; whatever , therefore , you are disposed to give this night will be placed in the hands of the Grand Treasurer , as the nucleus of a fund to be devoted to the erection of the Ulster Alasonic Female Orphan Asylum ; and I feel thaton proposing " Our distressed Brethren" I could not
, , have prefaced it with more suitable observations . —( The toast ivas then drank with the usual masonic honours ) . The Stewards , assisted by the Deacons , collected from the different tables a considerable amount , which , with the sums promised by those bretliren who were unprepared at the moment , will enable the committee , in a short period , to commence carrying out this desirable object . The CHAIRMAN then rose to retirewhich was the signal for loud
, cheering . Before leaving , he complimented the brethren upon the ortler and regularity observed during the evening , aud after wishing " good evening" to all present , left the room amid the most deafening and prolonged plaudits . Bro . COLLINS , having been called upon , rose to propose the next toast , " the AVives , Sisters , and Daughters of Masons . " In the course of an eloquent and humourous addressthe worthbrother paid a just tribute
, y to the character and varied excellencies of woman , in the different relations of wife , sister , and mother . As regarded the first class of the three into which the toast divided itself , he remarked that there were many brethren present who could not as yet boast of such a tender association , but they no doubt looked forward to that time , when to such a toast each man would be enabled to rise and say for himself , that he was in a posi-