Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
pation of xvhich , by your kind election and re-election , I had been honoured with for the txvo preceding years , I little thought it probable that it would have devolved upon me , on the recurrence of the clay , again to address you from this position . In December last , you did this Lodge good service , Brethren , and consulted the interests of the Fraternity , xvhen you installed as Master , ancl as my successor in office , the talented , much-esteemed , and ever-to-be respected Bro . Richard Dowse , at that time staff-surgeon of the garrison of this island . Fully persuaded as xve all were of the advantages to be derived from such a valuable acquisition to our Lodge
, xve entertained the hope of his being amongst us , at all events , for the full term of his election ; but , alas . ' ere a few months elapsed , orders emanating from the authorities of that honourable profession to which the doctor is attached , frustrated that hope , by removing him hence to a distant military station . But even that short control , Brethren , effected vast improvement in our working . Our present state of efficiency , as far as it has gone , and the additional lights we noxv enjoy , are in a great measure attributable to the efforts of , and the instruction received from , our beloved though absent Brother . What otherwise , indeed , could have
been looked for from him , who had occupied the Chair of the Albany Lodge , No . 176 , xvith so much honour to himself and benefit to the Craft ? I feel assured that I only echo the sentiments of each member of the Lodge xvho knows the estimable qualities and high deserts of our late and zealous Master , in declaring , that xve can feel no greater pleasure than in hearing ofthe health and happiness of himself and family wherever he or they may be , though oceans roll between us . As the military duties of Bro . Dowse constrained liim to leave us , he , with much kindnessdistinguished me bhis recommendation that I should take the Chair for
, y the unexpired term of his presidency . To his proposition the Lodge unanimously consented ; aud this , Brethren , is one among the many other acts of your fraternal regard , xvhich places me under an additional obligation , and for xvhich I pray you to receive my best acknowledgments . While a portion of my preceding remarks shows that the Lodge has much to regret from one of the occurrences of the year
just about being closed , there are yet some relieving circumstances io xvhich I shall now advert , —one of xvhich is the advance of Masonry in Antigua ; another , the choice you have made in the election of a Master for the ensuing year . When , in December , 1849 , you spontaneously placed me here , our Lodge numbered eighteen Brethren ; on relinquishing the Chair in December last , that number had increased beyond forty , and on retiring this day our members exceed sixty . These facts are sufficient to prove that Masonry is making—as it always did and always xvill—its onward course , notwithstanding the efforts of its detractors—for these
have existed in all ages ancl in all countries . But , Brethren , bear xvith the slurs and insinuations of its impotent enemies , ancl consider , that as there is no society exempt from such , so should xve feel no surprise at them from the uninitiated . Look upon these as you xvould on the silly man ivho , to discover hoxv the ball made its exit from the mouth of a cannon at the moment of its discharge , applied both eyes to the muzzle—the forfeiture of his head xvould be the result of his ignorance —and console yourselves with the reflection , that although we venture nothing in the xvay of reproof , yet the success of those who would stop the progress of Masonry
will be equal to the disappointment of the short-sighted courtiers of Canute , who regarded his poxver as uncontrollable , and all things as obedient to his will . He , to reprove them , commanded the sea to retire , exclaiming , " The land upon xvhich I sit is mine , I charge thee , therefore , to approach no farther , nor dare to wet the feet of th y sovereign . " The adx-ance of the waters , hoxvever , soon proved their ignorance , and convinced them of their folly . Thus shelving , then , the present position of the Loclge , the number of its enrolled members , ancl the futility of any attem pt to cheek its progressit remains xvith the Brethren to deliberate upon the
, propriety or expediency of petitioning at some suitable time for the granting of a second charter for this island . Judicious has been your choice of Bro . Thomas as Master for the coming year . Independently of his standing as second officer in the Lodge for the last txvelve months , his acquirements in Slasonic knowledge so often exemplified here , the instruction gained by him from his close connection with the xvorthy Bro . Dowse , by whom he had been initiated , together xvith his attachment to and zeal in the cause , —all these point to him as in every respect a fit
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
pation of xvhich , by your kind election and re-election , I had been honoured with for the txvo preceding years , I little thought it probable that it would have devolved upon me , on the recurrence of the clay , again to address you from this position . In December last , you did this Lodge good service , Brethren , and consulted the interests of the Fraternity , xvhen you installed as Master , ancl as my successor in office , the talented , much-esteemed , and ever-to-be respected Bro . Richard Dowse , at that time staff-surgeon of the garrison of this island . Fully persuaded as xve all were of the advantages to be derived from such a valuable acquisition to our Lodge
, xve entertained the hope of his being amongst us , at all events , for the full term of his election ; but , alas . ' ere a few months elapsed , orders emanating from the authorities of that honourable profession to which the doctor is attached , frustrated that hope , by removing him hence to a distant military station . But even that short control , Brethren , effected vast improvement in our working . Our present state of efficiency , as far as it has gone , and the additional lights we noxv enjoy , are in a great measure attributable to the efforts of , and the instruction received from , our beloved though absent Brother . What otherwise , indeed , could have
been looked for from him , who had occupied the Chair of the Albany Lodge , No . 176 , xvith so much honour to himself and benefit to the Craft ? I feel assured that I only echo the sentiments of each member of the Lodge xvho knows the estimable qualities and high deserts of our late and zealous Master , in declaring , that xve can feel no greater pleasure than in hearing ofthe health and happiness of himself and family wherever he or they may be , though oceans roll between us . As the military duties of Bro . Dowse constrained liim to leave us , he , with much kindnessdistinguished me bhis recommendation that I should take the Chair for
, y the unexpired term of his presidency . To his proposition the Lodge unanimously consented ; aud this , Brethren , is one among the many other acts of your fraternal regard , xvhich places me under an additional obligation , and for xvhich I pray you to receive my best acknowledgments . While a portion of my preceding remarks shows that the Lodge has much to regret from one of the occurrences of the year
just about being closed , there are yet some relieving circumstances io xvhich I shall now advert , —one of xvhich is the advance of Masonry in Antigua ; another , the choice you have made in the election of a Master for the ensuing year . When , in December , 1849 , you spontaneously placed me here , our Lodge numbered eighteen Brethren ; on relinquishing the Chair in December last , that number had increased beyond forty , and on retiring this day our members exceed sixty . These facts are sufficient to prove that Masonry is making—as it always did and always xvill—its onward course , notwithstanding the efforts of its detractors—for these
have existed in all ages ancl in all countries . But , Brethren , bear xvith the slurs and insinuations of its impotent enemies , ancl consider , that as there is no society exempt from such , so should xve feel no surprise at them from the uninitiated . Look upon these as you xvould on the silly man ivho , to discover hoxv the ball made its exit from the mouth of a cannon at the moment of its discharge , applied both eyes to the muzzle—the forfeiture of his head xvould be the result of his ignorance —and console yourselves with the reflection , that although we venture nothing in the xvay of reproof , yet the success of those who would stop the progress of Masonry
will be equal to the disappointment of the short-sighted courtiers of Canute , who regarded his poxver as uncontrollable , and all things as obedient to his will . He , to reprove them , commanded the sea to retire , exclaiming , " The land upon xvhich I sit is mine , I charge thee , therefore , to approach no farther , nor dare to wet the feet of th y sovereign . " The adx-ance of the waters , hoxvever , soon proved their ignorance , and convinced them of their folly . Thus shelving , then , the present position of the Loclge , the number of its enrolled members , ancl the futility of any attem pt to cheek its progressit remains xvith the Brethren to deliberate upon the
, propriety or expediency of petitioning at some suitable time for the granting of a second charter for this island . Judicious has been your choice of Bro . Thomas as Master for the coming year . Independently of his standing as second officer in the Lodge for the last txvelve months , his acquirements in Slasonic knowledge so often exemplified here , the instruction gained by him from his close connection with the xvorthy Bro . Dowse , by whom he had been initiated , together xvith his attachment to and zeal in the cause , —all these point to him as in every respect a fit