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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 9 of 18 →
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Provincial.
which we are annually called upon to renew our vows of attachment to our ancient and honorable Fraternity;—by that regularity and sound discipline , which is so essential to Masonic proficiency;—by all the recollections attached to the memory of Masonic worthies , who , bowing to the weight of years , have , let us hope , long since ascended that mystic ladder which leadeth to the Lodge above;—by that fidelity , which bids us remain true to our professionstill the soul
, itself stands on the very confines of Eternity;—by all these solemn considerations I would incite you to step forward to the van , and putting on the true ' armour of light , ' and bearing in mind the exhortation of the great Apostle of the Gentiles — ' so to run [ jhe race ] that ye may obtain . ' Make it evident to the uninitiated , by your conduct , —tell them , in language not to be misunderstood , that Freemasonry is not only in perfect accordance with the feelings of good man ' s
every heart , but that its principles are derived from a sacred source—from the x \ ncient of Days , the Author and End of all Things—the Finisher of our Faith . Masonry not only tends to confirm that faith , and elevate our thoughts to Heaven , but to knit the hearts of men also to each other by an indissoluble tie , such as Pope describes , when he
says" Heaven forming each on other to depend , — A master , or a servant , or a friend , — Bids each on other for assistance call , Till one man's weakness grows the strength of ail . Wants , frailties , fashions , closer still ally 'the common interest , or endear the tie . To these we owe true friendship , love sincere , Each home-felt joy that life inherits here . ''
Then may you be enabled confidently to exclaim , in the language of a beautiful Masonic strain" Hail , Masonry divine ! Glory of ages shine , Long mr . y'st thou rjigll ! Where ' er thy ' Lodgcs stand , May they have great command , And always grace the land ! Thou art divine . "
" Before I resume my seat , I must not omit thus publicly to tender my warm acknowledgments to yourself , Worshipful Sir , for that regularity of attendance during the past year which , as my Senior Warden , has enabled you to obtain that proficiency which will , doubtless , extend the reputation already acquired by the Shakspeare Lodge . Without making any invidious distinction as to other officers , I cannot overlook the admirable manner in which the duties of Secretary of the Lodge have been
discharged by Bro . Hersee—to whom I have been indebted for many kind offices , and the Lodge for many valuable services . Neither can the promptitude with which , when it has been required , I have received the able assistance of the Worshipful Brother Kain , who now sits in the West , as the representative of our absent Senior Warden ;—his ready support has enabled me to accomplish much in practical Masonry , and knowing his kindness of heart and generosity of disposition , it would be somewhat difficult to determine whether he , or myself , is the happier man , — he b y whom I was introduced into Masonry , or myself as hoping never to disgrace his friendl y introduction . - True it is that I have no help-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
which we are annually called upon to renew our vows of attachment to our ancient and honorable Fraternity;—by that regularity and sound discipline , which is so essential to Masonic proficiency;—by all the recollections attached to the memory of Masonic worthies , who , bowing to the weight of years , have , let us hope , long since ascended that mystic ladder which leadeth to the Lodge above;—by that fidelity , which bids us remain true to our professionstill the soul
, itself stands on the very confines of Eternity;—by all these solemn considerations I would incite you to step forward to the van , and putting on the true ' armour of light , ' and bearing in mind the exhortation of the great Apostle of the Gentiles — ' so to run [ jhe race ] that ye may obtain . ' Make it evident to the uninitiated , by your conduct , —tell them , in language not to be misunderstood , that Freemasonry is not only in perfect accordance with the feelings of good man ' s
every heart , but that its principles are derived from a sacred source—from the x \ ncient of Days , the Author and End of all Things—the Finisher of our Faith . Masonry not only tends to confirm that faith , and elevate our thoughts to Heaven , but to knit the hearts of men also to each other by an indissoluble tie , such as Pope describes , when he
says" Heaven forming each on other to depend , — A master , or a servant , or a friend , — Bids each on other for assistance call , Till one man's weakness grows the strength of ail . Wants , frailties , fashions , closer still ally 'the common interest , or endear the tie . To these we owe true friendship , love sincere , Each home-felt joy that life inherits here . ''
Then may you be enabled confidently to exclaim , in the language of a beautiful Masonic strain" Hail , Masonry divine ! Glory of ages shine , Long mr . y'st thou rjigll ! Where ' er thy ' Lodgcs stand , May they have great command , And always grace the land ! Thou art divine . "
" Before I resume my seat , I must not omit thus publicly to tender my warm acknowledgments to yourself , Worshipful Sir , for that regularity of attendance during the past year which , as my Senior Warden , has enabled you to obtain that proficiency which will , doubtless , extend the reputation already acquired by the Shakspeare Lodge . Without making any invidious distinction as to other officers , I cannot overlook the admirable manner in which the duties of Secretary of the Lodge have been
discharged by Bro . Hersee—to whom I have been indebted for many kind offices , and the Lodge for many valuable services . Neither can the promptitude with which , when it has been required , I have received the able assistance of the Worshipful Brother Kain , who now sits in the West , as the representative of our absent Senior Warden ;—his ready support has enabled me to accomplish much in practical Masonry , and knowing his kindness of heart and generosity of disposition , it would be somewhat difficult to determine whether he , or myself , is the happier man , — he b y whom I was introduced into Masonry , or myself as hoping never to disgrace his friendl y introduction . - True it is that I have no help-