Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Worshipful Master from witnessing and taking part in the happy meeting of that night . He stated , that it fell to his good fortune to propose the toast of the evening , the health of their respected and esteemed Brother Ramsay—the guest of the evening ! He alluded to the very high estimation in which Brother Ramsay was held , in private as well as public society , by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance , and there were few who had not experienced his liberal hospitality . The
worthy Chairman then spoke of the peculiar obligations which the Lodge Star of Hope was under to Brother Ramsay . This infant Lodge which promised to be one of tbe most distinguished in India , was in a great measure originated by the Brother whose health they were about to drink . It had sprung up under his auspices ;—his untiring perseverance in its progress , and devotion to its interests , deserved the warmest approbation of all the Brethren . The Chairman proceeded to
notice the munificent donations to the Lodge by Brother Ramsay , and concluding his very neat and appropriate speech by a reiterated eulogimn of the honored guest , gave— " The health of Brother Ramsay . " The toast was received with heartfelt enthusiasm , with deafening applause , and , " one cheer more . " After a short pause , Brother Ramsay rose , and in an excellent address returned thanks , of which the following is but a brief abstract : —
" Brethren , it has been said that " out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh , " ancl though I allow the full truth of the general tenor of this maxim , yet on the present occasion I must doubt its force , for though my heart is full , yet I feel altogether at a loss for words to express the rising sentiments of gratitude which I feel for the honor you have done me . I have not been long a mason —but my ancestors were masons , my Father and Grand-father were masons . 1 have anxiously watched the rise and progress of the Star of Hope issuing from darkness , and shedding its li ght over the many who have ranged themselves under its banner .
" AA hen I first arrived in Agra , now about two years ago , I was simply an entered apprentice , personally unknown to all ; I now have the pre-eminent pleasure of standing before you an exalted Companion ofthe Royal Arch . I cannot disguise from the Brethren the sense which I entertain of the high honors which have been paid me , however undeservedly—for I look on Masonic honors as the highest honors that can be paid , proceeding as these do , from sincere , pure , ancl honest
motives . 1 am proud thus far to have received your good opinion- —I trust I shall ever continue to deserve it , and that I shall never be found wanting in zeal for the honor and glory of the Craft in general , or for the " Star of Hope" in particular . " Brother Ramsay sat down amidst the most deafening cheers , and the band of the 2 nd Grenadiers struck up a lively and favourite air . It was truly gratifying to witness a large assemblage of Masons and
their guests , met together for the purpose of doing honor and testifying esteem towards a Brother Mason and a Friend . Long may the Star of Hope , a young but a glorious Loclge , number among its members such men as him who is about to leave us .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Worshipful Master from witnessing and taking part in the happy meeting of that night . He stated , that it fell to his good fortune to propose the toast of the evening , the health of their respected and esteemed Brother Ramsay—the guest of the evening ! He alluded to the very high estimation in which Brother Ramsay was held , in private as well as public society , by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance , and there were few who had not experienced his liberal hospitality . The
worthy Chairman then spoke of the peculiar obligations which the Lodge Star of Hope was under to Brother Ramsay . This infant Lodge which promised to be one of tbe most distinguished in India , was in a great measure originated by the Brother whose health they were about to drink . It had sprung up under his auspices ;—his untiring perseverance in its progress , and devotion to its interests , deserved the warmest approbation of all the Brethren . The Chairman proceeded to
notice the munificent donations to the Lodge by Brother Ramsay , and concluding his very neat and appropriate speech by a reiterated eulogimn of the honored guest , gave— " The health of Brother Ramsay . " The toast was received with heartfelt enthusiasm , with deafening applause , and , " one cheer more . " After a short pause , Brother Ramsay rose , and in an excellent address returned thanks , of which the following is but a brief abstract : —
" Brethren , it has been said that " out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh , " ancl though I allow the full truth of the general tenor of this maxim , yet on the present occasion I must doubt its force , for though my heart is full , yet I feel altogether at a loss for words to express the rising sentiments of gratitude which I feel for the honor you have done me . I have not been long a mason —but my ancestors were masons , my Father and Grand-father were masons . 1 have anxiously watched the rise and progress of the Star of Hope issuing from darkness , and shedding its li ght over the many who have ranged themselves under its banner .
" AA hen I first arrived in Agra , now about two years ago , I was simply an entered apprentice , personally unknown to all ; I now have the pre-eminent pleasure of standing before you an exalted Companion ofthe Royal Arch . I cannot disguise from the Brethren the sense which I entertain of the high honors which have been paid me , however undeservedly—for I look on Masonic honors as the highest honors that can be paid , proceeding as these do , from sincere , pure , ancl honest
motives . 1 am proud thus far to have received your good opinion- —I trust I shall ever continue to deserve it , and that I shall never be found wanting in zeal for the honor and glory of the Craft in general , or for the " Star of Hope" in particular . " Brother Ramsay sat down amidst the most deafening cheers , and the band of the 2 nd Grenadiers struck up a lively and favourite air . It was truly gratifying to witness a large assemblage of Masons and
their guests , met together for the purpose of doing honor and testifying esteem towards a Brother Mason and a Friend . Long may the Star of Hope , a young but a glorious Loclge , number among its members such men as him who is about to leave us .