Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
means merit lias been duly rewarded without envy being excited . For love towards you , R . AV . Sir , we have many causes . The mild , yet dignified firmness with which you have ruled the Craft , the urbanity of manner , the kindliness of heart , the genuine spirit of a Mason , which your whole conduct to us has exhibited ; and has thus established over our hearts , a dominion which bare power could not have effected , —all combine to create the claim our love—which we thus
fullacknowupon , y ledge and respond to—and which we wilkacknowledge , and to which we will respond , while we exist . " Recognising thus full y , as we do , the benefits which we have received at your hands , we were too fondly prepared to look forward to their continuance , and to anticipate , from your lengthened stay here , an increase of those advantages of which your rule has been already so prolific . The extent of our grief at finding that we are so soon to lose
you , can be adequately measured only by the standard of our obligations to you , so fully recorded above , and also by that of our fears for the disadvantages which your regretted absence from among us must superinduce .
" There now remains but to say farewell . But ere that be done , allow us to offer you , on our own behalf , and that of the Craft , a testimonial of the estimation in which you are held by us and them . AA e have selected , as the most fitting for the purpose , a piece of plate , ( which will be hereafter presented to you ) , and of it we beg your acceptance . On it will be recorded our humble but sincere testimony to your worth and excellence ; and thus , the world at large , and also our mutual
successors will learn , that you have so amply and satisfactorily , to those over whom you presided , discharged the duties of your office ; and also , that we , on our parts , have been honoured by being under the rule of your Hiram . " AVe are led to believe , that you may again return to rule among us ; but we hear , also , that it may possibly be otherwise . In the former case , we shall hail your advent with as much joy as now in sorrow we lament your departure . In the latter , hard and irretrievable as will be the loss to us , we shall yet console ourselves with the confident hope
that you , at least , though we mourn your loss , will be happy m the bosom of your family . That you and your family may meet with favouring breezes to bring you speedily to your native shore ; and that , whether here or there , the Great Architect of the Universe may have both you and them in His keeping—may shield you from all harm , and shower upon you all the blessings of health , peace , and happiness , is the sincere wish and prayer of those who , on their own behalf , and that of those whom
they represent , here subscribe themselves . '' Dr . Grant was much affected by the address , and replied to it most feelingly ; and the banquet at night , though splendid , was evidently damped by the prospect of our approaching loss . The R . AV ., the P . G . M . in Lodge , made arrangements for the government of the Craft during his absence ; and pending the approval of the Most ATorshipful the GMBroBirch is the SGAVBroSomers the
.., . ..., . J . G . AV . —Bro . Egerton has resumed his old office of S . G . D . ; Bro . Capt . AA ^ illiams is the G . Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . Browne the W . M . of the Grand Stewards' Lodge . The R . AV . Deputy G . M . has been declared Pro-G-M . ; but as he is Judge of the district of Azimgurh , in which he resides , Bro . Birch is , in his absence , to act as Deputy , and to rule the Craft .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
means merit lias been duly rewarded without envy being excited . For love towards you , R . AV . Sir , we have many causes . The mild , yet dignified firmness with which you have ruled the Craft , the urbanity of manner , the kindliness of heart , the genuine spirit of a Mason , which your whole conduct to us has exhibited ; and has thus established over our hearts , a dominion which bare power could not have effected , —all combine to create the claim our love—which we thus
fullacknowupon , y ledge and respond to—and which we wilkacknowledge , and to which we will respond , while we exist . " Recognising thus full y , as we do , the benefits which we have received at your hands , we were too fondly prepared to look forward to their continuance , and to anticipate , from your lengthened stay here , an increase of those advantages of which your rule has been already so prolific . The extent of our grief at finding that we are so soon to lose
you , can be adequately measured only by the standard of our obligations to you , so fully recorded above , and also by that of our fears for the disadvantages which your regretted absence from among us must superinduce .
" There now remains but to say farewell . But ere that be done , allow us to offer you , on our own behalf , and that of the Craft , a testimonial of the estimation in which you are held by us and them . AA e have selected , as the most fitting for the purpose , a piece of plate , ( which will be hereafter presented to you ) , and of it we beg your acceptance . On it will be recorded our humble but sincere testimony to your worth and excellence ; and thus , the world at large , and also our mutual
successors will learn , that you have so amply and satisfactorily , to those over whom you presided , discharged the duties of your office ; and also , that we , on our parts , have been honoured by being under the rule of your Hiram . " AVe are led to believe , that you may again return to rule among us ; but we hear , also , that it may possibly be otherwise . In the former case , we shall hail your advent with as much joy as now in sorrow we lament your departure . In the latter , hard and irretrievable as will be the loss to us , we shall yet console ourselves with the confident hope
that you , at least , though we mourn your loss , will be happy m the bosom of your family . That you and your family may meet with favouring breezes to bring you speedily to your native shore ; and that , whether here or there , the Great Architect of the Universe may have both you and them in His keeping—may shield you from all harm , and shower upon you all the blessings of health , peace , and happiness , is the sincere wish and prayer of those who , on their own behalf , and that of those whom
they represent , here subscribe themselves . '' Dr . Grant was much affected by the address , and replied to it most feelingly ; and the banquet at night , though splendid , was evidently damped by the prospect of our approaching loss . The R . AV ., the P . G . M . in Lodge , made arrangements for the government of the Craft during his absence ; and pending the approval of the Most ATorshipful the GMBroBirch is the SGAVBroSomers the
.., . ..., . J . G . AV . —Bro . Egerton has resumed his old office of S . G . D . ; Bro . Capt . AA ^ illiams is the G . Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . Browne the W . M . of the Grand Stewards' Lodge . The R . AV . Deputy G . M . has been declared Pro-G-M . ; but as he is Judge of the district of Azimgurh , in which he resides , Bro . Birch is , in his absence , to act as Deputy , and to rule the Craft .