Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
" It is with natural feelings of pride , that I again find myself installed , in due and ancient form , into the chair of this most worthy and worshipful Lodge ; and I entreat you all to accept my heartfelt gratitude , for the ready brotherly love , and unsought suffrages , by which so marked , and , according to the customs of 'Perseverance , ' so unusual a compliment has been conferred upon me . I have never concealed from youmy Brethrenthat although honoured with a fair
, , , or probably rather an undue share of consideration in other respects , I have invariably esteemed my Masonic distinctions above all the rest ; and that claiming , as I do , the character of a working Brother , I naturally feel one of the proudest of these to consist in presiding over the active and efficient Lodge , which may be almost said to have resuscitated Masonry in this portion of the globe . " It cannot be otherwise alsomy Brethrenthan the gratification of
, , a just and honourable ambition , to be placed thus prominently foremost amongst a body of chosen and enlightened individuals , free to elect , but under the influence of paramount duty ; and linked together by such high ancl unerring princip les as we are ; and while I can entertain no apprehensions for the future on behalf of the Lodge , need I add how inexpressibly the pride I now personally experience is enhanced , by reflecting that during my past year of Mastership , no ripple , however trivial ,
has disturbed the even current of our harmonious proceedings ; and that neither within the sacred precincts of the Lodge , nor amidst the more free though innocent enjoyments of the refreshment table , has a single occurrence taken place , which could interfere with the Masonic decorum , or gentlemanlike deportment . I may still go further , and declare , that although fully empowered by the office which I have held to institute a rigid scrutiny into the character and conduct of the
Brethren over whem I have ruled , both in and out of the Lodge , nothing has transpired to force upon me the painful conviction , that even the least instructed amongst us has for a moment either forgot the solemn obligations he had entered into , or soiled in the least degree the pure badge with which he had been invested . " I feel this to be but a just tribute to one and all of the Brethren of Lodge Perseverance , with whom I have acted in concert ; although , at
the same time it is due to the great ancl excellent institution , of which we are sworn members , to express my conviction that none other , ever contrived by the utmost ingenuity of man , could have spread the sweet cement of unity over a body constituted like ours ; amidst a society , where , unfortunately , Freemasonry is still too little understood and extended to be duly appreciated ; ancl in a country , where although glorious examples of men pursuing the plumb-line of conscience are daily before our eyes , yet principles widely opposed to those inculcated by the level and square are naturally on the ascendant . "
" When the worthy Past Master , in that fervent and earnest strain , so indicative of the pure Masonic feelings with which he is imbued , recounted to me from this chair on last St . John ' s day , the noble struggles in ivhich the Lodge had been engaged , not only to maintain Masonry , but even to support its own existence ; ancl charged me , —by considerations which I well knew to imply the deep debt I owe the Craft , and the obligations imposed on me by the elevated station in it to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
" It is with natural feelings of pride , that I again find myself installed , in due and ancient form , into the chair of this most worthy and worshipful Lodge ; and I entreat you all to accept my heartfelt gratitude , for the ready brotherly love , and unsought suffrages , by which so marked , and , according to the customs of 'Perseverance , ' so unusual a compliment has been conferred upon me . I have never concealed from youmy Brethrenthat although honoured with a fair
, , , or probably rather an undue share of consideration in other respects , I have invariably esteemed my Masonic distinctions above all the rest ; and that claiming , as I do , the character of a working Brother , I naturally feel one of the proudest of these to consist in presiding over the active and efficient Lodge , which may be almost said to have resuscitated Masonry in this portion of the globe . " It cannot be otherwise alsomy Brethrenthan the gratification of
, , a just and honourable ambition , to be placed thus prominently foremost amongst a body of chosen and enlightened individuals , free to elect , but under the influence of paramount duty ; and linked together by such high ancl unerring princip les as we are ; and while I can entertain no apprehensions for the future on behalf of the Lodge , need I add how inexpressibly the pride I now personally experience is enhanced , by reflecting that during my past year of Mastership , no ripple , however trivial ,
has disturbed the even current of our harmonious proceedings ; and that neither within the sacred precincts of the Lodge , nor amidst the more free though innocent enjoyments of the refreshment table , has a single occurrence taken place , which could interfere with the Masonic decorum , or gentlemanlike deportment . I may still go further , and declare , that although fully empowered by the office which I have held to institute a rigid scrutiny into the character and conduct of the
Brethren over whem I have ruled , both in and out of the Lodge , nothing has transpired to force upon me the painful conviction , that even the least instructed amongst us has for a moment either forgot the solemn obligations he had entered into , or soiled in the least degree the pure badge with which he had been invested . " I feel this to be but a just tribute to one and all of the Brethren of Lodge Perseverance , with whom I have acted in concert ; although , at
the same time it is due to the great ancl excellent institution , of which we are sworn members , to express my conviction that none other , ever contrived by the utmost ingenuity of man , could have spread the sweet cement of unity over a body constituted like ours ; amidst a society , where , unfortunately , Freemasonry is still too little understood and extended to be duly appreciated ; ancl in a country , where although glorious examples of men pursuing the plumb-line of conscience are daily before our eyes , yet principles widely opposed to those inculcated by the level and square are naturally on the ascendant . "
" When the worthy Past Master , in that fervent and earnest strain , so indicative of the pure Masonic feelings with which he is imbued , recounted to me from this chair on last St . John ' s day , the noble struggles in ivhich the Lodge had been engaged , not only to maintain Masonry , but even to support its own existence ; ancl charged me , —by considerations which I well knew to imply the deep debt I owe the Craft , and the obligations imposed on me by the elevated station in it to