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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 3 of 19 →
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Provincial.
variance with every moral obligation , as well as in direct violation ot the laws of the land ? Yet such was the deliberate declaration of this indiscreet lecturer . To whatever distant period the history of Freemasonry may be traced is a matter of trifling importance ; it is not because an institution is old or young that it is to be supported or condemned . Masonry will
rise or fall according as it is in unison with or in opposition to the feelings of mankind . As a charitable society it ranks first in the world , both in point of time and in universal application . No difference in poinis of human belief , nor conscientious opinion upon the best forms or administrations of government can stop the full tide of universal charity as practised amongst the Masons . During the latter part of the
late war , the writer had many opportunities of witnessing the powerful influence of its principles , in mitigating the horrors of this " scourge of the human race , " and had the lecturer felt the anguish experienced by thousands , of having a father , a brother , or a friend thrown into a foreign prison , there to remain for years without a single relative to console or assist in the deepest affliction , he would have blessed that institution which directed its greatest efforts to alleviate the condition of
the unfortunate prisoner of war , of every country and religion . And may ridicule be directed against a society that has for one of its objects the relief of the shipwrecked mariner ? Your paper . Sir , might soon be filled with the enumeration of the cases in which the British seaman has owed the means of existence in a foreign and hostile nation to Freemasonry . I ask , Sir , if such actions as these are fit matters for
vulgar abuse or senseless derision , or can the institution which enjoins them as positive-duties be at variance ivith the holiest and purest principles of our nature ? But I have not yet mentioned the admirable schools supported by Masons for the instruction of the children of the poor members , and the destitute orphans of the deceased Brethren . Amongst those poor children the lecturer might be shown those of men
who have occupied higher rank in society and literature than ( judging by his display on Monday night ) he is ever likely to occupy . In conclusion , I must again express my deep regret that a rising Mechanics' Institute should have allowed a stranger to deliver a lecture upon a subject of which he is profoundly ignorant , and utterly incapable of grasping its enlightened principles . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , A MASON . Colchester , Oct . 28 .
To the Editor ofthe Colchester Gazette . —You inserted in your paper cf last week some remarks of the Editor of the Chelmsford Chronicle on my lecture , which you were pleased to style " judicious . " To these remarks I have sent a reply , and shall feel obliged if you will transfer it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
variance with every moral obligation , as well as in direct violation ot the laws of the land ? Yet such was the deliberate declaration of this indiscreet lecturer . To whatever distant period the history of Freemasonry may be traced is a matter of trifling importance ; it is not because an institution is old or young that it is to be supported or condemned . Masonry will
rise or fall according as it is in unison with or in opposition to the feelings of mankind . As a charitable society it ranks first in the world , both in point of time and in universal application . No difference in poinis of human belief , nor conscientious opinion upon the best forms or administrations of government can stop the full tide of universal charity as practised amongst the Masons . During the latter part of the
late war , the writer had many opportunities of witnessing the powerful influence of its principles , in mitigating the horrors of this " scourge of the human race , " and had the lecturer felt the anguish experienced by thousands , of having a father , a brother , or a friend thrown into a foreign prison , there to remain for years without a single relative to console or assist in the deepest affliction , he would have blessed that institution which directed its greatest efforts to alleviate the condition of
the unfortunate prisoner of war , of every country and religion . And may ridicule be directed against a society that has for one of its objects the relief of the shipwrecked mariner ? Your paper . Sir , might soon be filled with the enumeration of the cases in which the British seaman has owed the means of existence in a foreign and hostile nation to Freemasonry . I ask , Sir , if such actions as these are fit matters for
vulgar abuse or senseless derision , or can the institution which enjoins them as positive-duties be at variance ivith the holiest and purest principles of our nature ? But I have not yet mentioned the admirable schools supported by Masons for the instruction of the children of the poor members , and the destitute orphans of the deceased Brethren . Amongst those poor children the lecturer might be shown those of men
who have occupied higher rank in society and literature than ( judging by his display on Monday night ) he is ever likely to occupy . In conclusion , I must again express my deep regret that a rising Mechanics' Institute should have allowed a stranger to deliver a lecture upon a subject of which he is profoundly ignorant , and utterly incapable of grasping its enlightened principles . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , A MASON . Colchester , Oct . 28 .
To the Editor ofthe Colchester Gazette . —You inserted in your paper cf last week some remarks of the Editor of the Chelmsford Chronicle on my lecture , which you were pleased to style " judicious . " To these remarks I have sent a reply , and shall feel obliged if you will transfer it