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Article TO THOMAS MOORE, ESQ., P. J. G. D. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Thomas Moore, Esq., P. J. G. D.
" I have to state that I have been enabled to purchase 250 ( . stock , a less sum certainl y than I have been accustomed to report , and which therefore I most sincerely regret : this deficiency has arisen chiefl y from the circumstances of-a public Masonic dinner ' having taken place about a week previous to the last anniversary , which was the means of preventing the attendance of several friends of the institution , and of course of lessening the amount of subscriptions . "
You may remember that after a short pause I addressed you in reply , and stated , that the fact of the meeting alluded to having taken place , could not only not be denied , but was in itself of such a gratifying nature as to reflect honourable credit upon all who were engaged in supporting it ; I also adverted to the circumstances of the chairman upon the occasion alluded to , having most forcibly impressed upon the attention of the company , that on the following Wednesday
the Boys' Festival would be celebrated—and that in proposing as a toast , the prosperity of that excellent institution , he relied upon them to support him by their attendance and by their subscriptions . There were those present at the time , who afterwards proved their fidelity by attending the anniversary of the Boys' School , and most fortunately for my argument , among the very members whom you addressed on the 2 nd of November , were several of these individual brethren . My own conviction is
, that the subscription at the boys' anniversary was any thing but disheartening : scarcely seventy friends were assembled , and if I am not incorrect , the subscription exceeded 250 / . It is fail to observe too , that the "Broadfoot festival" was not contemplated but one
month before its celebration , and possessed no other charm than the offering of a Masonic compliment to a brother of the Craft , whose only claim to their respect was his natural integrity , which shone the more lustrous in the humble walk in which he moved . One grand officer alone , a fellow-countryman , was present , although I am proud to say , that one more at least was prevented by circumstances from at ending . It may be also proper to state that an examination into the list of those
who supported this meeting , will shew that it embraced many who are not in the habit of attending either the girls' or the boys' festival . Contrast with these facts , the hoys' festival announced through the Craft by the Masonic Calendar , —the powerful aid which your personal influence and that of your friends can bring into action , —the lodges who look with pride upon the institution , as having emanated from their liberality and protection , —a board of stewards readv with their nurse to
follow the example of others that have preceded them , —the charm which the expectation of our Royal Grand Master as chairman , or the presence of some noble brother ( should his Royal Highness be prevented ) , always excites—and the effect which a numerous assembly of grand officers has upon a Masonic assembly , and which they are enabled to give to the subscription . Upon some particular probable causes of the falling off in the
numbers , I shall abstain altogether from touching , YOU know them , for WE have talked of them ; but why there should have been so marked an absence of the grand officers at the last anniversary I do not pretend to explain ; the noble chairman , upon that occasion , was indeed but indifferently supported , yet his lordship " worked the ship well , considering the short compliment of hands . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Thomas Moore, Esq., P. J. G. D.
" I have to state that I have been enabled to purchase 250 ( . stock , a less sum certainl y than I have been accustomed to report , and which therefore I most sincerely regret : this deficiency has arisen chiefl y from the circumstances of-a public Masonic dinner ' having taken place about a week previous to the last anniversary , which was the means of preventing the attendance of several friends of the institution , and of course of lessening the amount of subscriptions . "
You may remember that after a short pause I addressed you in reply , and stated , that the fact of the meeting alluded to having taken place , could not only not be denied , but was in itself of such a gratifying nature as to reflect honourable credit upon all who were engaged in supporting it ; I also adverted to the circumstances of the chairman upon the occasion alluded to , having most forcibly impressed upon the attention of the company , that on the following Wednesday
the Boys' Festival would be celebrated—and that in proposing as a toast , the prosperity of that excellent institution , he relied upon them to support him by their attendance and by their subscriptions . There were those present at the time , who afterwards proved their fidelity by attending the anniversary of the Boys' School , and most fortunately for my argument , among the very members whom you addressed on the 2 nd of November , were several of these individual brethren . My own conviction is
, that the subscription at the boys' anniversary was any thing but disheartening : scarcely seventy friends were assembled , and if I am not incorrect , the subscription exceeded 250 / . It is fail to observe too , that the "Broadfoot festival" was not contemplated but one
month before its celebration , and possessed no other charm than the offering of a Masonic compliment to a brother of the Craft , whose only claim to their respect was his natural integrity , which shone the more lustrous in the humble walk in which he moved . One grand officer alone , a fellow-countryman , was present , although I am proud to say , that one more at least was prevented by circumstances from at ending . It may be also proper to state that an examination into the list of those
who supported this meeting , will shew that it embraced many who are not in the habit of attending either the girls' or the boys' festival . Contrast with these facts , the hoys' festival announced through the Craft by the Masonic Calendar , —the powerful aid which your personal influence and that of your friends can bring into action , —the lodges who look with pride upon the institution , as having emanated from their liberality and protection , —a board of stewards readv with their nurse to
follow the example of others that have preceded them , —the charm which the expectation of our Royal Grand Master as chairman , or the presence of some noble brother ( should his Royal Highness be prevented ) , always excites—and the effect which a numerous assembly of grand officers has upon a Masonic assembly , and which they are enabled to give to the subscription . Upon some particular probable causes of the falling off in the
numbers , I shall abstain altogether from touching , YOU know them , for WE have talked of them ; but why there should have been so marked an absence of the grand officers at the last anniversary I do not pretend to explain ; the noble chairman , upon that occasion , was indeed but indifferently supported , yet his lordship " worked the ship well , considering the short compliment of hands . "