Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Testimonial To Brother Robert Thomas Crucefix , M.D.
most delightful;—but we must not profane the pure mysteries that were observed . That day can never be forgotten by the host or his guests . It was hoped that Dr . Oliver would have availed himself of many invitations to Lodges ; his stay , however , being limited to two clear days , he could not attend even at the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , where arrangements were made to work a lecture . The Doctor expressed his deep regret at the disappointment .
Thus has terminated the fourth eventful gathering of the Craft since the commencement of the proceedings that led to the union of the two English Masonic Societies . The departure from England of that upright and truly noble-minded Brother , the Earl of Moira , to take upon himself the government of India , gave an opportunity to the Craft of testifying their respect , admiration , and affection for the friend who had ruled them as acting Grand
Master for so many years with such perfect justice . The day selected for this expression of attachment was on the anniversary of the natal day of the present Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , then Deputy Grand Master ; and every year since the Craft has commemorated the 27 th of January , 1813 , by which the memory of a virtuous Brother has been consecrated , and the services of His Royal Highness rendered the brihter from his connection with the illustrious dead .
g The Earl of Moira , in accepting a jewelled collar , * on the occasion delivered a most affecting address , during which he said : " As long as I wear this badge of honour on my breast , the recollection of your extraordinary kindness and regard shall be most lively , and shall animate my spirit to any exertion which may give me the chance of justifying to the
world your opinion of me . It shall be my constant monitor in all my future duties . In it , I shall find a perpetual admonition to practise with still greater activity than ever those philanthropic aud benevolent principles of Masonry in the situation of rule which I am about to hold over that vast territory whither I am destined . * * * My real relation to you may be best explained by an Asiatic apologue : |—In the baths of the East , perfumed clay is used instead of soap . A poet is introduced ,
who breaks into an enthusiastic flow of admiration at the odour of a lump of clay of this sort . ' Alas 1 ' answers the clay , ' I am only a piece of ordinary earth , but I happened to come in contact with the rose , and I have borrowed some of its fragrance . '— I have borrowed the character of the virtues in this institution , and my best hope is , that however minute be the portion with which I have been thus imbued , at least I am not likely to lose what has been so fortuitously acquired . Gratitude
holds a high rank among these virtues ; and if I can be confident of any thing , it must be of this , that earnest gratitude towards you cannot depart from my breast but with the last pulse of life . " The Earl of Moira left England amid the regrets of his fold . He reached India , and became the shepherd among the faithful . He restored Freemasonry—his memory is venerated , and has proved the beacon again to re-animate its influence in that distant quarter ;—his name is imperishable—its lustre is undimraed by a speck . '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Testimonial To Brother Robert Thomas Crucefix , M.D.
most delightful;—but we must not profane the pure mysteries that were observed . That day can never be forgotten by the host or his guests . It was hoped that Dr . Oliver would have availed himself of many invitations to Lodges ; his stay , however , being limited to two clear days , he could not attend even at the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , where arrangements were made to work a lecture . The Doctor expressed his deep regret at the disappointment .
Thus has terminated the fourth eventful gathering of the Craft since the commencement of the proceedings that led to the union of the two English Masonic Societies . The departure from England of that upright and truly noble-minded Brother , the Earl of Moira , to take upon himself the government of India , gave an opportunity to the Craft of testifying their respect , admiration , and affection for the friend who had ruled them as acting Grand
Master for so many years with such perfect justice . The day selected for this expression of attachment was on the anniversary of the natal day of the present Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , then Deputy Grand Master ; and every year since the Craft has commemorated the 27 th of January , 1813 , by which the memory of a virtuous Brother has been consecrated , and the services of His Royal Highness rendered the brihter from his connection with the illustrious dead .
g The Earl of Moira , in accepting a jewelled collar , * on the occasion delivered a most affecting address , during which he said : " As long as I wear this badge of honour on my breast , the recollection of your extraordinary kindness and regard shall be most lively , and shall animate my spirit to any exertion which may give me the chance of justifying to the
world your opinion of me . It shall be my constant monitor in all my future duties . In it , I shall find a perpetual admonition to practise with still greater activity than ever those philanthropic aud benevolent principles of Masonry in the situation of rule which I am about to hold over that vast territory whither I am destined . * * * My real relation to you may be best explained by an Asiatic apologue : |—In the baths of the East , perfumed clay is used instead of soap . A poet is introduced ,
who breaks into an enthusiastic flow of admiration at the odour of a lump of clay of this sort . ' Alas 1 ' answers the clay , ' I am only a piece of ordinary earth , but I happened to come in contact with the rose , and I have borrowed some of its fragrance . '— I have borrowed the character of the virtues in this institution , and my best hope is , that however minute be the portion with which I have been thus imbued , at least I am not likely to lose what has been so fortuitously acquired . Gratitude
holds a high rank among these virtues ; and if I can be confident of any thing , it must be of this , that earnest gratitude towards you cannot depart from my breast but with the last pulse of life . " The Earl of Moira left England amid the regrets of his fold . He reached India , and became the shepherd among the faithful . He restored Freemasonry—his memory is venerated , and has proved the beacon again to re-animate its influence in that distant quarter ;—his name is imperishable—its lustre is undimraed by a speck . '