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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 12 of 16 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
ever has been , the bane of oppression , the enemy of disorder , the promoter of civilization , the friend of uncorrupted science and true benevolence . I may be excused for bringing this so prominently before you , but it has pressed heavily on my mind , and I fear has not been duly considered—let me impress on all the Provincial Grand Officers , ( I am certain if the Provincial Grand Master had been present he would gladly do so ) and let me beg the Masters of lodges to bring the matter
, before their members , and induce them to lay the matter before those brethren who are not members , and good will result from it , not onl y in this way , but I believe , in reviving the dormant energies of those ( if such there be ) who may now be languid . These remarks I apprehend are too obvious to be overlooked , too apparent to be neglected , too valuable to be disputed . ' From our example may be learned what great ends may be accomplishedwhere a body of men unitehand and heart
, , to promote a beneficent object . Accordingly , our charitable . institutions are both numerous and effective—for though architecture may be supposed to have been the origin , yet I conceive , that charity intermingled therewith , forms the basis of our glorious and venerable Order . It has so happened this year , owing to that severe epidemic , which as a scourge , has presented an awful spectacle to every contemplative mind , that as matter of prudence the Provincial Grand Master has thought it
Tight , having the request of several persons added to his own feelings , not to make any public demonstration this season , for though our appearance in the house of God , is what every well-regulated mind would approve , yet as a procession ( which must necessarily have taken place , and ) would under any circumstances call together an excited crowd , the postponement has been considered the wisest course . I need not say that the annual custom of assembling all the lodges in the province alternatelyat the different townsand going in public procession to a
, , place for worship , for the purpose of displaying a sense of gratitude and piety to God , by offering up mutual prayers and thanksgivings , and advocating the cause of virtue and benevolence by an exposition from the pulpit—has the effect of promoting the general interests of morality and religion through the influence of masonic example . This custom , also , brings the brethren into periodical communication with each other , and not only cements old friendships but forms new onesthus extending
ac-, quaintance and promoting brotherly love and social feeling amongst those who might have remained strangers , which is no slight advantage , because nothing can serve more strongly to cement the sacred ties of morality and virtue than such an interchange of fraternal affection and goodwill . Besides , this admirable custom frequently generates a friendship which becomes mutually beneficial . Old acquaintances are enabled to meet and renew those courtesies which time and distance had thrown
into abeyance ; and on such occasions the heart and tongue are found , as our motto predicates , to unite in each other ' s welfare , and rejoice in each other ' s prosperity . I know this is not the custom in all the provinces , but its beneficial results , I think , are evident and it affords me great pleasure to reflect that it is the case in this . Whatever sarcastic or unkind remarks our venerable Order may be made the subject of by those who are either uninitiated , or having taken but a very superficial view of it , being attracted by its exterior , or content to join only in its recreations , and not to study the arcana of the fraternity or communicate it to others , we may just mention that in 1799 , when danger seemed to threaten our beloved country , and the unprincipled were forming them-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
ever has been , the bane of oppression , the enemy of disorder , the promoter of civilization , the friend of uncorrupted science and true benevolence . I may be excused for bringing this so prominently before you , but it has pressed heavily on my mind , and I fear has not been duly considered—let me impress on all the Provincial Grand Officers , ( I am certain if the Provincial Grand Master had been present he would gladly do so ) and let me beg the Masters of lodges to bring the matter
, before their members , and induce them to lay the matter before those brethren who are not members , and good will result from it , not onl y in this way , but I believe , in reviving the dormant energies of those ( if such there be ) who may now be languid . These remarks I apprehend are too obvious to be overlooked , too apparent to be neglected , too valuable to be disputed . ' From our example may be learned what great ends may be accomplishedwhere a body of men unitehand and heart
, , to promote a beneficent object . Accordingly , our charitable . institutions are both numerous and effective—for though architecture may be supposed to have been the origin , yet I conceive , that charity intermingled therewith , forms the basis of our glorious and venerable Order . It has so happened this year , owing to that severe epidemic , which as a scourge , has presented an awful spectacle to every contemplative mind , that as matter of prudence the Provincial Grand Master has thought it
Tight , having the request of several persons added to his own feelings , not to make any public demonstration this season , for though our appearance in the house of God , is what every well-regulated mind would approve , yet as a procession ( which must necessarily have taken place , and ) would under any circumstances call together an excited crowd , the postponement has been considered the wisest course . I need not say that the annual custom of assembling all the lodges in the province alternatelyat the different townsand going in public procession to a
, , place for worship , for the purpose of displaying a sense of gratitude and piety to God , by offering up mutual prayers and thanksgivings , and advocating the cause of virtue and benevolence by an exposition from the pulpit—has the effect of promoting the general interests of morality and religion through the influence of masonic example . This custom , also , brings the brethren into periodical communication with each other , and not only cements old friendships but forms new onesthus extending
ac-, quaintance and promoting brotherly love and social feeling amongst those who might have remained strangers , which is no slight advantage , because nothing can serve more strongly to cement the sacred ties of morality and virtue than such an interchange of fraternal affection and goodwill . Besides , this admirable custom frequently generates a friendship which becomes mutually beneficial . Old acquaintances are enabled to meet and renew those courtesies which time and distance had thrown
into abeyance ; and on such occasions the heart and tongue are found , as our motto predicates , to unite in each other ' s welfare , and rejoice in each other ' s prosperity . I know this is not the custom in all the provinces , but its beneficial results , I think , are evident and it affords me great pleasure to reflect that it is the case in this . Whatever sarcastic or unkind remarks our venerable Order may be made the subject of by those who are either uninitiated , or having taken but a very superficial view of it , being attracted by its exterior , or content to join only in its recreations , and not to study the arcana of the fraternity or communicate it to others , we may just mention that in 1799 , when danger seemed to threaten our beloved country , and the unprincipled were forming them-