Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Testimonial To Brother Robert Thomas Crucefix , M.D.
perpetually before his eyes , that his services in behalf of Freemasonry had excited the sympathy and gratitude of his Brethren , ancl sat clown amid loud ancl general cheering . The Lincolnshire fire , as given by the Chairman , who drilled his cohort most admirably , gave the greatest satisfaction , and was very effectual . Brother Dr . CRUCEFIX did not move from his standing posture . It appeared to us that , had he resumed his seat , his deep emotion would
too probably have prevented his reply . A few seconds passed in an attempt to speak , in which the lips scarce moved . The worthy Brother , at last , in words almost inaudible , commenced his address , gradually recovering his self-possession * . it was , however , evident that the effort was as painful as the manner and matter of the address were affecting . Brethren , —Is it not a shame that , because the heart is permitted to enjoy its one great holiday , the tongue should take advantage of feeling , ancl refuse to do its common duty ? I presume , however , that , like others who have been placed in like circumstances , I must yield to necessity , ancl plead the general issue .
The applause that has followed the address of our excellent and reverend Brother betokens your appreciation of those Masonic sentiments which he has delivered ivith so much natural eloquence and powerful feeling ; but if you have listened with admiration to his dignified ancl incomparable vindication of high moral principles—how deeply must I , the humble Brother whom he has so generously spoken of , and so powerfully protected , be affected by the address of a gentleman—a
Brother—a scholar—a divine , of such high social—Masonic—intellectual and moral station . How truly may I say that " Praise from the praised man" is indeed a superior commendation ! While I am able to speak with any thing like the arrangement of thought to direct me—and I usually do think while I speak—I must , in the first place , assure him , and you , my kind friends , that however I have been cheered and inspirited under most eventful and trying circumstances , by the sympathy of the kind , the generous , and the free , I have been mainly sustained by endeavouring to observe his directionsto rely with reverence and humility on the justice of a merciful Pro-¦¦
vidence . . ';' . '" - Brethren , I take occasion to quote the Spanish , proverb , that " A wise man changes his mind—a fool never ; " which may be rendered thus—Men are the children of error ; and he is the wisest ; if not the best , who makes the amplest ancl fairest admission . I trusty ihen , that in offering to you this uight my final balance-sheet , there ' may / 'be ; but few items to which you will except . I shall therefore tender it dri-the usual terms— " Errors excepted . "
Brethren , on my last public appearance , I refrained from entering into any recital of Masonic service . I should have adopted the same course now , even if the too evidently partial address of my kind friend had not rendered it unnecessary . He will pardon me in thinking that he has drawn your attention to what his own wishes point out . should have been the case , as regards my humble service . It was the blissful vision of some such briht reality ^ s this by
g which I am so affectionately greeted , that , during a perilous ordeal , encouraged me , and prevented my spirits from sinking , and my heart from quailing . I felt , for I knew , that there was a band of honourably-minded Brethren ready to prevent the mohstrous construction of too probable
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Testimonial To Brother Robert Thomas Crucefix , M.D.
perpetually before his eyes , that his services in behalf of Freemasonry had excited the sympathy and gratitude of his Brethren , ancl sat clown amid loud ancl general cheering . The Lincolnshire fire , as given by the Chairman , who drilled his cohort most admirably , gave the greatest satisfaction , and was very effectual . Brother Dr . CRUCEFIX did not move from his standing posture . It appeared to us that , had he resumed his seat , his deep emotion would
too probably have prevented his reply . A few seconds passed in an attempt to speak , in which the lips scarce moved . The worthy Brother , at last , in words almost inaudible , commenced his address , gradually recovering his self-possession * . it was , however , evident that the effort was as painful as the manner and matter of the address were affecting . Brethren , —Is it not a shame that , because the heart is permitted to enjoy its one great holiday , the tongue should take advantage of feeling , ancl refuse to do its common duty ? I presume , however , that , like others who have been placed in like circumstances , I must yield to necessity , ancl plead the general issue .
The applause that has followed the address of our excellent and reverend Brother betokens your appreciation of those Masonic sentiments which he has delivered ivith so much natural eloquence and powerful feeling ; but if you have listened with admiration to his dignified ancl incomparable vindication of high moral principles—how deeply must I , the humble Brother whom he has so generously spoken of , and so powerfully protected , be affected by the address of a gentleman—a
Brother—a scholar—a divine , of such high social—Masonic—intellectual and moral station . How truly may I say that " Praise from the praised man" is indeed a superior commendation ! While I am able to speak with any thing like the arrangement of thought to direct me—and I usually do think while I speak—I must , in the first place , assure him , and you , my kind friends , that however I have been cheered and inspirited under most eventful and trying circumstances , by the sympathy of the kind , the generous , and the free , I have been mainly sustained by endeavouring to observe his directionsto rely with reverence and humility on the justice of a merciful Pro-¦¦
vidence . . ';' . '" - Brethren , I take occasion to quote the Spanish , proverb , that " A wise man changes his mind—a fool never ; " which may be rendered thus—Men are the children of error ; and he is the wisest ; if not the best , who makes the amplest ancl fairest admission . I trusty ihen , that in offering to you this uight my final balance-sheet , there ' may / 'be ; but few items to which you will except . I shall therefore tender it dri-the usual terms— " Errors excepted . "
Brethren , on my last public appearance , I refrained from entering into any recital of Masonic service . I should have adopted the same course now , even if the too evidently partial address of my kind friend had not rendered it unnecessary . He will pardon me in thinking that he has drawn your attention to what his own wishes point out . should have been the case , as regards my humble service . It was the blissful vision of some such briht reality ^ s this by
g which I am so affectionately greeted , that , during a perilous ordeal , encouraged me , and prevented my spirits from sinking , and my heart from quailing . I felt , for I knew , that there was a band of honourably-minded Brethren ready to prevent the mohstrous construction of too probable