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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 5 of 24 →
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Provincial.
his works as standard text books in Freemasonry , by the study of wliich their minds were improved , and their understanding enlightened . It afforded him much gratification to have an opportunity of paying his respects to the learned Brother , and he should be proud of informing the various Lodges which he was in the habit of visiting , that he had spent an evening in his company . The toast ivas drunk with immense applause .
Dr . OLIVER rose ancl said , — " It is totally impossible for me to express what I feel on the present occasion . The hi ghly flattering testimony of respect which you have this day tendered , exceeds my means of gratitude , as it exceeds my expectations ; and if I am unable . to find words to express my acknowledgments , I must entreat you to ascribe it to the incapacity of my head , ancl not to the feelings of my heart . My gratification is increased by the consideration that you have chosen to
express your esteem through the medium of Freemasonry ; an institution which I have ever thought , ancl still think , to deserve the unqualified approbation of mankind . I admit , with sorrow and regret , that it is the fashion of those who are unacquainted with its nature ancl design , to turn it into ridicule . But does Freemasonry deserve such treatment ? AVe shall see . I shall not attempt to explain what Freemasonry is . It is too wide a field for discussion at a social meeting . But I shall take
the liberty of claiming your attention for a few minutes , while I take a brief survey of a Freemason ' s Lodge ; and we shall then see , even by so simple a process , whether Freemasonry is not an institution worthy of all mens' respect . Let us take our station in the East , ancl contemplate the extent of our Lodges . AVe behold before us boundless
spacelength and breadth , ancl depth and height ; in dimensions unmeasurable ; in comprehension , inconceivable . This view embraces a representation of the world ; earth with all its treasures , the beauties of the vegetable creation , the riches of its subterraneous mines ancl caverns , burning mountains and boiling whirlpools , the scaly produce of its pathless ocean , and all the advantages to be derived from maritime trafficover its yielding surface . The toils of industry and the benefits of commerce , the
mutual aid and mutual accommodation afforded to each other by distant nations , are all included in a general survey of a Mason ' s Lodge . And more than this , the great advantages conveyed to mankind , by the arts ancl sciences , are here placed before us . We see the beauties of architecture as displayed in gorgeous palaces ancl solemn temples , the construction of stately cities , contrasted with the rural peace and retirement of the humble village , with its sheds and dwellings of mud and
straw . AVe include in our prospect the scenes of every kind , by wliich our nature is ennobled , or our frame supported . The cheerful harvestfield of the industrious peasant , and the busy hum and clink of a manufacturing population , each employed in procuring subsistence and preparing benefits for their fellow creatures ; the sailor , on his fickle element , and the statesman haranguing in the senate ; every rank and class busil y employed in their vocation , ancl all toiling for riches , honours
, popularity , and bread . These scenes diversify the surface , whether east or west , or north or south . And , if we descend towards the centre , the same busy industry prevails . The bowels of the earth are eagerl y ransacked for their rich contents , and we find men consenting to be buried in dreary mines to seek subsistence for their families . And here we discover the existence of those wonderful phenomena winch so strongl y excite our curiosity and thirst of knowledge ; vestiges
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
his works as standard text books in Freemasonry , by the study of wliich their minds were improved , and their understanding enlightened . It afforded him much gratification to have an opportunity of paying his respects to the learned Brother , and he should be proud of informing the various Lodges which he was in the habit of visiting , that he had spent an evening in his company . The toast ivas drunk with immense applause .
Dr . OLIVER rose ancl said , — " It is totally impossible for me to express what I feel on the present occasion . The hi ghly flattering testimony of respect which you have this day tendered , exceeds my means of gratitude , as it exceeds my expectations ; and if I am unable . to find words to express my acknowledgments , I must entreat you to ascribe it to the incapacity of my head , ancl not to the feelings of my heart . My gratification is increased by the consideration that you have chosen to
express your esteem through the medium of Freemasonry ; an institution which I have ever thought , ancl still think , to deserve the unqualified approbation of mankind . I admit , with sorrow and regret , that it is the fashion of those who are unacquainted with its nature ancl design , to turn it into ridicule . But does Freemasonry deserve such treatment ? AVe shall see . I shall not attempt to explain what Freemasonry is . It is too wide a field for discussion at a social meeting . But I shall take
the liberty of claiming your attention for a few minutes , while I take a brief survey of a Freemason ' s Lodge ; and we shall then see , even by so simple a process , whether Freemasonry is not an institution worthy of all mens' respect . Let us take our station in the East , ancl contemplate the extent of our Lodges . AVe behold before us boundless
spacelength and breadth , ancl depth and height ; in dimensions unmeasurable ; in comprehension , inconceivable . This view embraces a representation of the world ; earth with all its treasures , the beauties of the vegetable creation , the riches of its subterraneous mines ancl caverns , burning mountains and boiling whirlpools , the scaly produce of its pathless ocean , and all the advantages to be derived from maritime trafficover its yielding surface . The toils of industry and the benefits of commerce , the
mutual aid and mutual accommodation afforded to each other by distant nations , are all included in a general survey of a Mason ' s Lodge . And more than this , the great advantages conveyed to mankind , by the arts ancl sciences , are here placed before us . We see the beauties of architecture as displayed in gorgeous palaces ancl solemn temples , the construction of stately cities , contrasted with the rural peace and retirement of the humble village , with its sheds and dwellings of mud and
straw . AVe include in our prospect the scenes of every kind , by wliich our nature is ennobled , or our frame supported . The cheerful harvestfield of the industrious peasant , and the busy hum and clink of a manufacturing population , each employed in procuring subsistence and preparing benefits for their fellow creatures ; the sailor , on his fickle element , and the statesman haranguing in the senate ; every rank and class busil y employed in their vocation , ancl all toiling for riches , honours
, popularity , and bread . These scenes diversify the surface , whether east or west , or north or south . And , if we descend towards the centre , the same busy industry prevails . The bowels of the earth are eagerl y ransacked for their rich contents , and we find men consenting to be buried in dreary mines to seek subsistence for their families . And here we discover the existence of those wonderful phenomena winch so strongl y excite our curiosity and thirst of knowledge ; vestiges