Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Testimonial To Brother Robert Thomas Crucefix , M.D.
error into crimes of the blackest dye ; and the consciousness that I nevercontemplated the Masonic crimes I have been compelled to expiate , converted my feebleness into courage ; and your verdict not only taught my heart to be grateful , but it told others that they had not been faithful , and that " the law construed into strictness , became the severest injustice . BrethrenI have had to sustain attacks of most nature
, a ungenerous , against which it has not been possible to protect the integrity of private character ; for , although Burke has said that " the great advantage of character is , that it is a shield against calumny , " I have reason to believe that calumny dares to assume that the wounds it has the power to inflict are those of dishonour ; lam , therefore , the more grateful to you who have , Samaritan-hke , poured that healing balsam into mine , that has made the scars thing but unsightly to look
any on . I am auspiciously reminded , that although the charges brought against me—no less than treason to Freemasonry , disloyalty and disrespect to a high authority—originated out of the proceedings of a numerous meeting held m this room , at which meeting I presided , two years have since elapsed , and time itself has enlisted among my advocateslor , from this very room is now about to be proclaimed mv triumphant
vindication from charges that ought never to have been preferred . Brethren , the almost bursting emotion of an overcharged heart will , probably , betray me into a forgetfulness of that dignified position you would , 1 am certain , desire I should assume , and which it is , I am equally certain , your intention to take—that of passing an act of oblivion lor the past ; you have been the staunch support of Masonic principles and have admitted me into copartneryforin troubles have
a ; , my you supported me , m my sufferings you have partici pated . How beautifully has it been expressed—that to forgive is human , to forget , divine . It is in our power to forgive , and I promise to do all in my power to forget and my heart assures me that , if those who hitherto have so relentlessly persecuted me , shall refrain from reminding me of their past errors , I hope to prove that forgetfulness is not more difficult than forgiveness
Let us adopt the spirit of that exemplary Brother , Eales White , on the termination of a public strife , and hold out the hand of fellowship , and forgetting the evils of misrepresentation , act in concert for general good ' Brethren , it is the conviction that I believe you unanimously acquit me fully of the charges , that enables me to speak as I do ; a man placed as 1 have been , and am , has a right to deliver his sentiments with freedom , lervency , and zeal . I hope that , as in a moment of oppressing difficulty moral unshaken
my courage was , so in this equally difficult position of a gratification unspeakable , I shall not be judged too keenly . I have ever acted from a high sense of principle , sanctioned , as I believe , by a great majority of the Craft ; and I wish it to be distinctly understood that , during the eventful period alluded to , I never acted , in any one instance , on my own responsibility , but always by the advice of a majority of such Brethren whose advice I solicitedThis
. explanation is equally due to them , to you ancl to myself . It is to me a matter of deep regret that misrepresentation has precluded my proving , to a hieh authority , that I am not only a faithful Brother , but that I have been most unkindly dealt ivith . I have been endeavouring to direct my attention to some especial ' points ol the address of our venerable chairman ; but the address contains so many topics , all of them expatiated on with such extreme kind-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Testimonial To Brother Robert Thomas Crucefix , M.D.
error into crimes of the blackest dye ; and the consciousness that I nevercontemplated the Masonic crimes I have been compelled to expiate , converted my feebleness into courage ; and your verdict not only taught my heart to be grateful , but it told others that they had not been faithful , and that " the law construed into strictness , became the severest injustice . BrethrenI have had to sustain attacks of most nature
, a ungenerous , against which it has not been possible to protect the integrity of private character ; for , although Burke has said that " the great advantage of character is , that it is a shield against calumny , " I have reason to believe that calumny dares to assume that the wounds it has the power to inflict are those of dishonour ; lam , therefore , the more grateful to you who have , Samaritan-hke , poured that healing balsam into mine , that has made the scars thing but unsightly to look
any on . I am auspiciously reminded , that although the charges brought against me—no less than treason to Freemasonry , disloyalty and disrespect to a high authority—originated out of the proceedings of a numerous meeting held m this room , at which meeting I presided , two years have since elapsed , and time itself has enlisted among my advocateslor , from this very room is now about to be proclaimed mv triumphant
vindication from charges that ought never to have been preferred . Brethren , the almost bursting emotion of an overcharged heart will , probably , betray me into a forgetfulness of that dignified position you would , 1 am certain , desire I should assume , and which it is , I am equally certain , your intention to take—that of passing an act of oblivion lor the past ; you have been the staunch support of Masonic principles and have admitted me into copartneryforin troubles have
a ; , my you supported me , m my sufferings you have partici pated . How beautifully has it been expressed—that to forgive is human , to forget , divine . It is in our power to forgive , and I promise to do all in my power to forget and my heart assures me that , if those who hitherto have so relentlessly persecuted me , shall refrain from reminding me of their past errors , I hope to prove that forgetfulness is not more difficult than forgiveness
Let us adopt the spirit of that exemplary Brother , Eales White , on the termination of a public strife , and hold out the hand of fellowship , and forgetting the evils of misrepresentation , act in concert for general good ' Brethren , it is the conviction that I believe you unanimously acquit me fully of the charges , that enables me to speak as I do ; a man placed as 1 have been , and am , has a right to deliver his sentiments with freedom , lervency , and zeal . I hope that , as in a moment of oppressing difficulty moral unshaken
my courage was , so in this equally difficult position of a gratification unspeakable , I shall not be judged too keenly . I have ever acted from a high sense of principle , sanctioned , as I believe , by a great majority of the Craft ; and I wish it to be distinctly understood that , during the eventful period alluded to , I never acted , in any one instance , on my own responsibility , but always by the advice of a majority of such Brethren whose advice I solicitedThis
. explanation is equally due to them , to you ancl to myself . It is to me a matter of deep regret that misrepresentation has precluded my proving , to a hieh authority , that I am not only a faithful Brother , but that I have been most unkindly dealt ivith . I have been endeavouring to direct my attention to some especial ' points ol the address of our venerable chairman ; but the address contains so many topics , all of them expatiated on with such extreme kind-