Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
which I have been raised by the Brethren of my native land , —to come forward and take the front ; although I did not hesitate , my Brethren , I felt tbat a course of no ordinary trouble , perplexity , ancl probably disappointment , lay before me . The pledge which I then recorded in presence of the assembled Brethren has not , however , I hope , been altogether unredeemed . To the utmost of my humble ability 1 have attended here , ancl officiated ; nor is there a single occasion during the twelvemonth on whicli I can accuse myself of having neglected my signs and summonses .
"Under the favour of the Great Architect of the Universe , and through the strenuous and united efforts of all the Brethren , but particularly of those whose badges now lie before me , and whom I shall presently proceed to re-invest into office , the doubts and difficulties which hung over us last year , are now entirely dissipated . Forty new Brethren , all endowed with the incomparable gift of enlightening education , and occupying a respectable position in social life , have passed into the Craft through the portals of ' Perseverance , ' under circumstances , which ,
judging from the zeal they have evinced , convey to us the proud conviction that / having understood our tenets and objects , they are prepared to cultivate them for their own improvement , and to the benefit of their fellow men . Nearly an equal number of old Brethren , whose Masonic energies had slumbered , have become re-animated into effort ; and are now affiliated amongst us to aid us in our good work . The Lodge has quadrupled its members : and while it has attracted the notice , and excited the interest , of society generally ; it has received a gratifying proof of consideration from our rulers , in one of the chief public
buildings having been allotted to its use by the excellent individual who lately resigned the reins of G overnment ; and from whom , as his life is charity , nothing could be more acceptable to us as Freemasons , than such a compliment to the Craft "On the other side of the picture we have equal reason to bend with humility , resignation , and thankfulness ; for , although a few of our Brethren have left us to return to their native country , in which they will have ample scope for the exercise of their fraternal duties ; and
others are now absent , and engaged in upholding the glory of our nation in Central Asia , where a still wider field for Masonic practice and forbearance lies open to them ; it is gratifying to think that the great Leveller has passed gently over us , and that we have but to mourn the death of two members of 'Perseverance . ' One of these sealed his respect for the Craft by entreating , in his dying hour , that the Brethren of the Lodge should attend his remains to the grave .
" AVe have but to proceed , my Brethren , in the goodly structure , whose foundation is brotherly love , which we have been erecting ; and if , in addition to working together in unity of purpose , sinking all trivial points of collision in the great and common aim of advancing Masonry , and improving ourselves ; we admit only as participators in our labours , men under the tongue of good report , well vouched for ; and true , animating them by steady example to walk uprihtl—live within
gy , compass , —and act upon the square , —and instilling into them the great Masonic precept of Veritatem Sequi , Beneficere Aliis—to follow after true knowledge for just and practical objects , and to do all the good they can to their fellow-creatures—we need not doubt that we shall be achieving one of the chief ends of our creation ; and may humbl y hope ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
which I have been raised by the Brethren of my native land , —to come forward and take the front ; although I did not hesitate , my Brethren , I felt tbat a course of no ordinary trouble , perplexity , ancl probably disappointment , lay before me . The pledge which I then recorded in presence of the assembled Brethren has not , however , I hope , been altogether unredeemed . To the utmost of my humble ability 1 have attended here , ancl officiated ; nor is there a single occasion during the twelvemonth on whicli I can accuse myself of having neglected my signs and summonses .
"Under the favour of the Great Architect of the Universe , and through the strenuous and united efforts of all the Brethren , but particularly of those whose badges now lie before me , and whom I shall presently proceed to re-invest into office , the doubts and difficulties which hung over us last year , are now entirely dissipated . Forty new Brethren , all endowed with the incomparable gift of enlightening education , and occupying a respectable position in social life , have passed into the Craft through the portals of ' Perseverance , ' under circumstances , which ,
judging from the zeal they have evinced , convey to us the proud conviction that / having understood our tenets and objects , they are prepared to cultivate them for their own improvement , and to the benefit of their fellow men . Nearly an equal number of old Brethren , whose Masonic energies had slumbered , have become re-animated into effort ; and are now affiliated amongst us to aid us in our good work . The Lodge has quadrupled its members : and while it has attracted the notice , and excited the interest , of society generally ; it has received a gratifying proof of consideration from our rulers , in one of the chief public
buildings having been allotted to its use by the excellent individual who lately resigned the reins of G overnment ; and from whom , as his life is charity , nothing could be more acceptable to us as Freemasons , than such a compliment to the Craft "On the other side of the picture we have equal reason to bend with humility , resignation , and thankfulness ; for , although a few of our Brethren have left us to return to their native country , in which they will have ample scope for the exercise of their fraternal duties ; and
others are now absent , and engaged in upholding the glory of our nation in Central Asia , where a still wider field for Masonic practice and forbearance lies open to them ; it is gratifying to think that the great Leveller has passed gently over us , and that we have but to mourn the death of two members of 'Perseverance . ' One of these sealed his respect for the Craft by entreating , in his dying hour , that the Brethren of the Lodge should attend his remains to the grave .
" AVe have but to proceed , my Brethren , in the goodly structure , whose foundation is brotherly love , which we have been erecting ; and if , in addition to working together in unity of purpose , sinking all trivial points of collision in the great and common aim of advancing Masonry , and improving ourselves ; we admit only as participators in our labours , men under the tongue of good report , well vouched for ; and true , animating them by steady example to walk uprihtl—live within
gy , compass , —and act upon the square , —and instilling into them the great Masonic precept of Veritatem Sequi , Beneficere Aliis—to follow after true knowledge for just and practical objects , and to do all the good they can to their fellow-creatures—we need not doubt that we shall be achieving one of the chief ends of our creation ; and may humbl y hope ,