-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 13 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
could not over-rate his zeal and ability—( applause . ) " Health of Bro . John Drinkwater , D . P . G . M . W . Lancashire—( applause . ) The toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm , and drunk with Masonic honours .
Bro . DRINKWATER had so often had the honour of sitting in that chair , and returning thanks for such compliments as that which had been just paid him , that he felt quite at a loss to find new language in which he could express himself . He was sorry to remark the thinness of the attendance , which he confessed he could not account for . The festivities of the preceding day , at Birkenhead , might have been the cause of the absence of some ; but the general scanty attendance might arise from another causeand that wasthat as the Provincial Grand Lod
, , ge had been held so often in Liverpool they had become tired of it . Many of the smaller towns were extremel y desirous to have that honour . For himself he did not care where it was held , so that the condition of Masonry in the district wasimproved , and the Brethren were satisfied . They must have all noticed in the newspapers what had been said of Freemasonry by a gentleman lecturing in Liverpool , at the Polytechnic Institution . That gentleman had declared Freemasonry to be the most
beautiful theory that could be imagined , and then expressed a wish that something might be grafted upon it more suitable to the present day . Now it was quite clear to all who knew anything of the principles of Masonry , that weie its seeds planted in every heart , all the world might take refuge under its branches . It was well known that in the middle ages it did extend over the whole of Europe , but they could look back much further . The Eastern magi were in possession of its secrets ; and Professor Taylor , one of the most learned men of the present day , was of opinion that the signs of the zodiac were Masonic , proving its
connection with the astronomy of ancient times , as well as geometry and other sciences . The immense pile of buildings which marked the architecture of by gone ages were believed to have been raised by the influence of Freemasons , ( for the ancients were excellent practical Masons , while , in these days , attention was only paid to the philosophy of Freemasonry ) and in every age , and in every part of the globe , traces of its operations had been discovered . Its principles burned in the bosoms of every people
and nation in the present day , and by its beautiful order and institutions , jealousy , envy , hatred , malice , ancl all uncharitahleness , were banished , and kindness , charity , and brotherly love , reigned in their stead . ( Applause . ) There were many societies which cultivated a spurious sort of Masonry—persons meetingin what they called "Lodges , " and so forth , with very good intentions , no doubt ; and he considered it a high compliment paid to true Masonry that it should have imitators . He
trusted they would also imitate its principles , and then they would never hear of persons belonging to these so-called " Lodges" bringing their cases before the magistrates , as was frequently done . Such a thing was totally unknown in true Masonry . ( Applause . ) With regard to the state of the province , he had nothing of importance to communicate ; everything was going on well ancl prosperousl y , and their numbers were very considerably increasing . The present was
the twenty-first year he had held his present office , and met the Grand Lodge in that place , and , therefore , he thought he was entitled , as far as its duties were concerned , to be considered of age . ( Applause . ) He exhorted the Brethren always to act in accordance with the spirit of the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
could not over-rate his zeal and ability—( applause . ) " Health of Bro . John Drinkwater , D . P . G . M . W . Lancashire—( applause . ) The toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm , and drunk with Masonic honours .
Bro . DRINKWATER had so often had the honour of sitting in that chair , and returning thanks for such compliments as that which had been just paid him , that he felt quite at a loss to find new language in which he could express himself . He was sorry to remark the thinness of the attendance , which he confessed he could not account for . The festivities of the preceding day , at Birkenhead , might have been the cause of the absence of some ; but the general scanty attendance might arise from another causeand that wasthat as the Provincial Grand Lod
, , ge had been held so often in Liverpool they had become tired of it . Many of the smaller towns were extremel y desirous to have that honour . For himself he did not care where it was held , so that the condition of Masonry in the district wasimproved , and the Brethren were satisfied . They must have all noticed in the newspapers what had been said of Freemasonry by a gentleman lecturing in Liverpool , at the Polytechnic Institution . That gentleman had declared Freemasonry to be the most
beautiful theory that could be imagined , and then expressed a wish that something might be grafted upon it more suitable to the present day . Now it was quite clear to all who knew anything of the principles of Masonry , that weie its seeds planted in every heart , all the world might take refuge under its branches . It was well known that in the middle ages it did extend over the whole of Europe , but they could look back much further . The Eastern magi were in possession of its secrets ; and Professor Taylor , one of the most learned men of the present day , was of opinion that the signs of the zodiac were Masonic , proving its
connection with the astronomy of ancient times , as well as geometry and other sciences . The immense pile of buildings which marked the architecture of by gone ages were believed to have been raised by the influence of Freemasons , ( for the ancients were excellent practical Masons , while , in these days , attention was only paid to the philosophy of Freemasonry ) and in every age , and in every part of the globe , traces of its operations had been discovered . Its principles burned in the bosoms of every people
and nation in the present day , and by its beautiful order and institutions , jealousy , envy , hatred , malice , ancl all uncharitahleness , were banished , and kindness , charity , and brotherly love , reigned in their stead . ( Applause . ) There were many societies which cultivated a spurious sort of Masonry—persons meetingin what they called "Lodges , " and so forth , with very good intentions , no doubt ; and he considered it a high compliment paid to true Masonry that it should have imitators . He
trusted they would also imitate its principles , and then they would never hear of persons belonging to these so-called " Lodges" bringing their cases before the magistrates , as was frequently done . Such a thing was totally unknown in true Masonry . ( Applause . ) With regard to the state of the province , he had nothing of importance to communicate ; everything was going on well ancl prosperousl y , and their numbers were very considerably increasing . The present was
the twenty-first year he had held his present office , and met the Grand Lodge in that place , and , therefore , he thought he was entitled , as far as its duties were concerned , to be considered of age . ( Applause . ) He exhorted the Brethren always to act in accordance with the spirit of the