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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 8 of 16 →
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Provincial.
heaven : and proclaiming the glad tidings of' Peace on earth—goodwill towards men . ' It has already shed its benign influence over every part of this island ; and its benevolence is limited onl y by the confines of the globe . " Indeed the attribute of Charity forms a distinctive character of our Science ; and is the GRAND SIGN and TOKEN by which we display to the world that our professions are not mereltheoreticalIn our own
y . county Masonic benevolence was rooted before any of the present Lodges were established . The noble band of Brothers who planted it have long ceased to exist ; but the virtue has never been extinguished . It remained indeed in a state of decadency for half a century , waiting a favourable opportunity for putting forth its glories . At the revival of Masonry in the year 1792 , by the establishment of our P . G . Lodge , it was again warmed into life ; and many beneficent actions are on record
by which its presence amongst us has been subsequently manifested . But an occasion of more than common interest now presents itself . The sacred claims of the aged Brother have been rehearsed ; and the heart of every Lincolnshire Mason cheerfully responds . At the animating call , Masonic benevolence has expanded its leaves , and displays a profusion of goodly blossoms ; and , like the tree of our royal Brother Davidthe sweet singer of Israel' lanted bthe water sideit will
, , p y , bring forth its fruit in due season . ' " Instances are not uncommon , where a Brother , whose activity and usefulness have been of the most essential service to his Lodge ; who has passed through the highest offices ivith credit to himself and advantage to the Craft ; whose intelligence ancl urbanity have made him an
especial favourite both at labour and refreshment , —has been reduced by circumstances over which he had no controul , to want and penury . For the sake of illustration , I will state the case rather high , and suppose the individual to be a successful member of the medical profession . His talents and industry make him equally beloved and esteemed ; his acquaintance is courted , because he is a just and upright man ; and the brightest prospects appear before him . He looks forward with
confidence to the period when an honourable independency shall supersede the cares of life , and the toils of business yield to the enjoyment of a happy old age in the bosom of his family . " Amidst all these pleasing anticipations , an attack of paralysis or other incurable complaint , renders his professional talents for ever useless . His income of course ceases ; and when his finances are exhausted , he is obliged to throw himself on the liberality of his friends ;
and these , for a time , willingly supply his wants . But this resource is not permanent ; for it can scarcely be expected that they will expend the whole of their charitable funds on a single individual , when there exist many other calls on their benevolence , which appear equally urgent . There are now only two alternatives for this worth y but unfortunate Brother . He is either supported for a few years in all the humiliation of dependenceby the uncertain supply of casual charityancl at length
, , sinks under his misfortunes , and dies broken-hearted ; or , if his constitution be too robust for such a speedy termination of his sorrows , he becomes a parish charge , and wastes the remnant of his days in an unnatural association with the inmates of the Union workhouse . " AVere the projected Asylum in operation , a case like this would find a ready admittance within its walls ; and the wretched man would spend the rest of his life in comfort ; cheered by the commiseration of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
heaven : and proclaiming the glad tidings of' Peace on earth—goodwill towards men . ' It has already shed its benign influence over every part of this island ; and its benevolence is limited onl y by the confines of the globe . " Indeed the attribute of Charity forms a distinctive character of our Science ; and is the GRAND SIGN and TOKEN by which we display to the world that our professions are not mereltheoreticalIn our own
y . county Masonic benevolence was rooted before any of the present Lodges were established . The noble band of Brothers who planted it have long ceased to exist ; but the virtue has never been extinguished . It remained indeed in a state of decadency for half a century , waiting a favourable opportunity for putting forth its glories . At the revival of Masonry in the year 1792 , by the establishment of our P . G . Lodge , it was again warmed into life ; and many beneficent actions are on record
by which its presence amongst us has been subsequently manifested . But an occasion of more than common interest now presents itself . The sacred claims of the aged Brother have been rehearsed ; and the heart of every Lincolnshire Mason cheerfully responds . At the animating call , Masonic benevolence has expanded its leaves , and displays a profusion of goodly blossoms ; and , like the tree of our royal Brother Davidthe sweet singer of Israel' lanted bthe water sideit will
, , p y , bring forth its fruit in due season . ' " Instances are not uncommon , where a Brother , whose activity and usefulness have been of the most essential service to his Lodge ; who has passed through the highest offices ivith credit to himself and advantage to the Craft ; whose intelligence ancl urbanity have made him an
especial favourite both at labour and refreshment , —has been reduced by circumstances over which he had no controul , to want and penury . For the sake of illustration , I will state the case rather high , and suppose the individual to be a successful member of the medical profession . His talents and industry make him equally beloved and esteemed ; his acquaintance is courted , because he is a just and upright man ; and the brightest prospects appear before him . He looks forward with
confidence to the period when an honourable independency shall supersede the cares of life , and the toils of business yield to the enjoyment of a happy old age in the bosom of his family . " Amidst all these pleasing anticipations , an attack of paralysis or other incurable complaint , renders his professional talents for ever useless . His income of course ceases ; and when his finances are exhausted , he is obliged to throw himself on the liberality of his friends ;
and these , for a time , willingly supply his wants . But this resource is not permanent ; for it can scarcely be expected that they will expend the whole of their charitable funds on a single individual , when there exist many other calls on their benevolence , which appear equally urgent . There are now only two alternatives for this worth y but unfortunate Brother . He is either supported for a few years in all the humiliation of dependenceby the uncertain supply of casual charityancl at length
, , sinks under his misfortunes , and dies broken-hearted ; or , if his constitution be too robust for such a speedy termination of his sorrows , he becomes a parish charge , and wastes the remnant of his days in an unnatural association with the inmates of the Union workhouse . " AVere the projected Asylum in operation , a case like this would find a ready admittance within its walls ; and the wretched man would spend the rest of his life in comfort ; cheered by the commiseration of