Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Complimentary Dinner To Distinguished American Freemasons.
I venture , Sir , as a Freemason , and as deeply interested in the spread and maintenance of the prestige and character of '' the Masonic Press all over the World , " to express a fervent hope that this aus / i-ious gathering- may be a symbol of that peace ancl friendship and goodwill that will ever bind England and America together ; that our rivalry henceforward will only he , which country shall most
try to advance the welfare of the people , the dignity of the law , and the preservation of good order and society on the great principles of toleration , justice and truth—which of us shall best succeed with united energies in promoting the civilization and the pacification of mankind . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . F . A . Philbriek , Q . C , P . G . D ., proposed "
Anglo-Saxon Masonry . He said , Sk and Brethren : At this hour of the evening , and after the very eloquent remarks that you have just listened to , it would ill-become me to detain you long in proposing the toast that has been assigned to me . " Anglo-Saxon Masonry , " is one which needs nothing in an assemblage of Masons to commend itself . Our very presence here to-night is a testimony
that Masonry among the great English speaking nations of the world is not the mere curious theories , nor the mere secret assembly that some would suppose ; it is not the mere " dead letter , " of an obsolete ritual ; but it is a living haven in the hearts of men . And if I may borrow from the elc q lent words that fell from one of the American officers , the progress , the grand progress , that Masonry has
made in thc great countries on the other side of the Atlantic , which though severed from us we are proud in the old country to feel sprang from our loins , I cannot but feel that Masonry in its highest and its best sense is au institution that flourishes best in a land of freedom among a people enlightened and free , who having won and achieved liberty of conscience and action and thought , know and
respect those great guarantees for the exercise and the perpetuation of their liberties , e > f which Masonry is one of the greatest , if not the chief . We hear much in this side * ofthe world , of not merely Masonry that is p a tised v > i . hin these isjes , but the difficulties of those who adhere to our order in foreign countries are subjected to ; but I think you will agree in the truth of this remark that wherever there exists
the truest freedom there Masonry best takes its root , there it spreads its branches widest , there its fruit is the fairest . A gathering like this must make us all who paiticipate in it not only feel grateful to him wlin has gjven us the opportui ityfor thus assembling and testifying our regard , not only e . f thanking him for the splendid hospitality which has priced his entertainment , but also for
the opportunity if holding out ihe hand of friendship to our American brethren , and of assuring them tint while we in . England e , f course are loyal and true tn the governing power of the Grand Lodge to which we owe all < glance , yet we feel that those who have sprung from us , anil who , sogracefully recognise , as has been done this evening , the parent authority which first created the Grand Lodge s in
Ameiua , that they are true and worthy descendants oi those who first carried from the old country into plantati ns , as they were called in the olden time , those germs of Masonry which hand in hand with the hearts and freedom of Englishmen had contrihutcd to found the great and glorious Empire , which I will not prophecy what destiny Ins in store for it , but at this moment is one of the greatest
powers on the face of the globe , not merely in extent , not merely in numbers , but one of the great powers for good , preserving all the principles of freedom , asserting in the face of mankind that indomitable love of liberty , that freedom of speech , and which distinguish , and I trust ever may distinguish the Anglo-Saxon race , of which the Anglo-Saxon Masonry is the worthy eX i onent . With
this toast I beg to associate the name tjf a brother who sits at the other end of the room , who has contributed largely to Masi nic history , and is one of the great ornaments of the Order—I m .-an our Bro . Hughan . Bro . W . J . Hughan . P . G . D ., in reply said : Worshipful Bro . Kenning , I think every brother present this evening will recogtise the fait tl at in my following our eloquent
Brother Phiihiick , Q . C , I have a very difficult la-k to oerform . The nature ol the toast make-sit still more difficult , for tint of Anglo-Saxon Frerm esonry is one which must make all our hearts burn while we resprnd , Itisatoast so great in itself that I am afraid in responding to it I can scarcely do more than express the fact that I agree with every word that has been uttered by Bra . Pnilbrick , and to
note that from early times in this country , and the earl y times in the new country we have up to the present a magnificent illustration of Anglo-Sixon Freemasonry ' Leaving out cf the question the antiquity of Free masonry in England , 1 would ask you one minute to go with me to that ot the United States , and remember that from Daniel Coxe's Grand Lodge of 1750 do , vn to the Grind
Lodge of yesterday , or alphabetically from the Grand Lodge of Alabama , down to that of Wyoming Territory , not forgetting the Grand Lodges ' of British North America , there have sprung something like the million and a half of Freemasons of to-day . I say without any hesitation , and I am sure every brother here will agree with me that Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry is
symbolically a continuous and permanent Atlantic cable , which unites the old world with the new , and in fact connects the north pole with the south , warmed from the east and fed from the west . May we indeed all see , that it is only by our remembering the landmarks of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry that we remain true to our colours . W th your permission I will at once co struct an Anglo- S axon
Masonic apron . We have in the four prcreqiii-iies of Freemasonry the four 1 cints of the : Parallelogram , viz ., ( 1 ) wen , ( 2 i just , ( 3 ) upright , and ( 4 ) free- , urging in the promotion of F , ith , Hop-, and Charily , ' i-O'iipo . ing the . Triangle , all pointing to tbe Gnat Architect of the Universe , whom vve should all 1 , ve and obey . I jiayc great pit as urn n responding ll . i , evening to so great a toast ¦ " )<• Hint " Angli .-Sa \ em Fn emas ' rmrv . "
Complimentary Dinner To Distinguished American Freemasons.
for I am persuaded the more it is studied and understood , the more it will be valued , and in proportion as we follow us principles sh ., 11 we be true to our professions , Bro . Col . Creaton , P . G , in prop isiny " Our English Masonic Charities and Distressed Masons all over ihe World , " said Bro- Chairman and brethren , the toast which has b .: en placed in my Inn ' s requires few words of comment or recommendation in such au
assembly as this . Th-- three great Masonic Charities if England seem to mark out for us a line e . f Masonic duty and of Masonic sympathy . They grant annuites to aged and decayed Masons ancl widows of Masons , and ihey provide a good sound and valuable education for 200 girls and 211 boys . Thus the English Craft taxes itself to the amount of £ 30 , 000 annually
to maintain these excellent charities . I am quite confident that the American brethren will join us in wishing "Success and continued Prosperity to our English Masonic Charities . " I am requested by our Chairman to couple with that toast the name of Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of the Boys' School . After Bro . the Rev . P . M . Holden had recited
"Sheridan ' s Ride , " Bro . Binckes said , if Bro . Hughan asks indulgence for himself after following the eloquent speeches which preceded his address , how much more ought I to ask indulgence for myself after the eloquent recitation of Bro . Holden ? I feel that after such a stirring delivery everything that falls from mc must be
" stale-, flit , and unprofitable . " But at all events on an occasion so interesting , under circumstances so fortunate ancl so peculiarly acceptable as those which hail brought us here this evening , I have ; only one dissentient voice to the proposition f slart with that the to ist proposed by l ol . Creaton of " Success to our great Masonic Institutions , " is one that will carry the
sympathies of every one around this table who has the interests of our great Order at he-art . Tbe observations which fell from Col . Creaton ia proposing the toast render it unnecessary for me to weary our friends frjm the other side , of the Atlantic , or th sc who arc here who arc conversant with all that is done by our Institutions ; but I think it must be a matter of
congratulation to us all , hailing from whatever juris'iction vve may , that vve in this little island of England are able to produce jn this year something like £ 30 , 000 for our three institutions , ami so to support altogether Soo individuals , aged people and children of both sexes ; and of late years we e-annot only find means for the sustenance of tho « e institutions , but our income , as a rule , exceeds our expenditure .
Tin : words first used by our illustrious brother from the oilier side of the Atlantic would just lead to say one word as to my ignorance of what organisations they have for charitable purposes in the United States of America , but this much I fortunately know , that I ancl others who are in the same position , have received over ancl over again , the most gratifying testimony anel assurance of the delight
that they experience in the success that we enjoy ; and I have no doubt that our friends here this evening will be the first to follow , and co-operate in the work of the great Masonic charities under thc jurisdiction of the Grand Loci'c of England . It is very clifficult in speaking at a late hour in the evening , in responding to the : toast of "The Masonic Charities , "to avoid repeating- somewhat of
what has fallen from previous speakers , I do not wish to weary our friends from the other side of the water , or our English friends , with any statistics . I would only repeat what has been said over and over again , ancl direct their attention , not so much vours as their-- , to the two great watchwords of our Order , announcecl by the Prince of Wales at his installation in the Albert Hall , " Loyilty
and Charity ; " and in doing so I wish to express an earnest hops ill it while , as in days gone hy , we looked on that great expanse of water that s-parites the mother country from its promising child , thc great improvements lhat have been mad .-: of late- yea's in navigation ancl in the means of communication miv , perhaps , quoting the words of a cabinet minister of the present day ,
lead us to understand tint whether the billows of that great ocean be lashed into f irj-, they shall no longer be 1 * girded by us as an obstacle that separates , but rather look upon them as a link that unites the two great English speaking peop ' e of ihe world , whose high and earnest hope will hi : used in incilca'ing las'in ; happitvss , the principle of loyalty to our regularly constituted
gnvernmen ' s , to practising the universal spirit of charity , and in maintaining in all its integrity that unity of speech , heart , and action , which is the birthright and distinguishing characteristic of both . ( Applause . ) Bro . Janies Terry ( for whom there were loud calls ) said : Bro . Kenning , Brethren of America and of England , after the exhaustive s , ;> ei-ch , and the very eloquent , I would also
sav , of my friend and colleague , Bro . Binckes , very little more is left for mc to give utterance to in response to the toast of " The Masonic Institutions , " remembered in this great assembly—one so kindly collected together by the unbounded hospitality of our host th's evening , than to thank him and many good friends we see ar-rand this iromfor all they have done in d lys gane by in support of
the interest of the whole three of our Masonic Institutions ; and I may b » , perhaps , permitted to say that the amount of onr contributions have been rather under than over stated by onr good friend who proposed the toast , an 1 also by mv collegui 1 , who responded , inasmuch as during the last two years we have' not only hid the sum of £ 30 , 000 each ycir , but vve ' iavc totalled over £ 42 , 030 n-vear
during those tsyo years tint r-pe-i-nts . in Anu-rii-. an currency , something like 210 . 000 dollars , brought in at thrc- meetings in the conrs-. of one vear . Now , Sir , if thai is tie f : n : t , in respect of our Masonic Institutions , how much must we be indebted to the Craft , for all that they have done , and to the Masonic Press , for every effort they hav ? given us in endeavouring to make known the claims
Complimentary Dinner To Distinguished American Freemasons.
of those three Institutions , and personally speaking , on nehalf of myself , I may say the Order is very rnu-h iudcbieel to the press for all they have : done . We mav , perhaps , cliff . r as ti the way It should be done , but we . know a ter all that we have one heart , one soul , one spirit to work in ; we do all we possibly cm to prom ate . tbe good ancl the prosperity of them ail . I thank you very mucri
indeed , and you alsa , Mr . Chairman , for ll u ing g iven me the : opportunity of responding to the toast , and congratulating our American brethren to this great hall of ours in England , and I hope and trust they mav carry hack to their country the kind c insideration of all Lin Ion Masons , and the earnest wishes for their health , we elth , and prosperity , and the goodwill of all our Masonic brethren .
Bro . Kenning called upon Sir John Bennett to propose the last toast . " Bro . Sir John Bennett , in proposing the toast of "The Ladies , " s lid : Last , indeed , unduly last ; but , nevertheless , I am deeply indebted to the grace and favour of our munificent host for having the pleasure of attending here this evening , and though ilis my goodfoitunc from time
to time to address important assemblies elsewhere , I look with pecu'iar interest and satisfaction on tbe remarkable meeting that I have attended this very night graced as it js by men representing almost every branch of human interests , graced too with the presence , the august presence I would aVe-. ost say , of the leading spirits of our great corporation of London , " the guide- , philosopherand friend "
of the Common Council in its mostprofou nt . itliberations . " feel that this is no ordinary asccmbly , aa . l we are quite in a posbion to nig ht to greet the Craft from the other side of tbe Atlantic , and it would not be befitting tbat vve should part to nig ht , having toasted brethren of our Craft without lemcmbering the sisters of our Craft , because whatever tbe brethren might bc , whether of thc States ,
abroad in Europe , or at home , the chief contributor to the " United States " or the old and the new world in woman . Yes , whether young or old—and I happen to hi in thc somewhat fortunate position of being a somewhat young man , and therefore can dilate with hcartincjs on the subjeclof the toast—whether in the spring of life , as 1 suppose Byron vvas when he
said" In the days of our youth , when the heart is in its spring , The affections will never take wing ; il have lived , and who has not , and what heart will declare That pleasure was absent while woman was there ? ' '
I never knew a good thing in this world but a woman was at tbe bottom of it . I say in spring- she does—i-i our infancy—her duty to mankind ; ay , in the heyday of manhood what a j > yous ancl blessed c mpanion ; in our autumn she mini ters to our jays , and when we have none elevates our sorrows : ancl at last when it comes to it , she is the very hand and support of the winter of old age .
We toast them with all reverence , with all honour . VVe toast woman , whether on the other side of the Ail intic or here at home wilh us . I know how much every man is , a public man especially , indebted to his better , lus purer , and very frequently hii lesser half . People who wonder among ourselves where some of us get our original thoughts from do not know we have talked them over
with our w ' wes over the breakfast table in the morning , and our original thoughts come from that quarter . In the " light fantastic toe , " as vve term it , we engage her , and in the song we have had here to-night I miss her . In nature also I may observe that the creator did not fancy thc wo Id complete unless he gave us the soprano and alto , and , therefore , in song I regret we did not have female
voices . We have not had woman to give grace to this entertainment ; but in whatever phase of life , in whatever character she appears , wc , good Masons , from the old and from the new world , are prepared to drink this toast wilh all respect , affection , and reverence , and s ) in that spirit I speak tc < you , in that spirit I give it , and in that S ; IT it , I am tniite sure , Worshipful President , the Craft
will be- s > g"o . l as to drink it . Bro . Altman said in reply : After the eloquent words that have fallen from the young man who had just spoken , I am almost adiamed to think that thii is the last toast of the evening , although as he has justly observed it is not the least . For my own part I would rather it had been the fir-t mart , because from what I
heir of Misaniy , if it was not for the la lu-s many of the brethieii who are now around tbe festive boirel would not be able to be present-. They a e the heartstrings of Ma-S'inr ,. I , for my part , regret that the laeltes are not present to g ive our American friend * the hearty welcome that they will give to all Masons nut only here but coming from the either side of the Atlantic . After the eloquent
speeches of the brethren right and left of us , the only thing I can say is this , that although the ladies could not be present to-night I am sure they feel very grateful for this toast . The ladies are very useful in Freemasonry . Look through the books of subscriptions that are published and you will sec that the ladies become Life Governors and Life Patrons of our Institution- * . Therefore , as they are
such a help to us it is our duty to drink their health . I thank you on their behalf foi the very kind way in which ynvi have done so . This closed the proceedings in the dining hall , and the brethien then took tea and coffee together in the drawing room . Tbe whole evening was of a most enjoyable char . acti r , and all thc brethren expressed the greatest
gratificiti ai nt what tbey hid witnessed . The English brethren wire much amused and -f ^ ni-hed atthcspcciil American " lire , " which was given by the American visitors . This fire is ell . il "the rocket Ore , " and is only given on exceptionally grand ore isioiis . The musivul artistes who contributed tn-ite rially to the ci j eyment e . f the evening were Bros . T , W . Simons , G . T . Cait . r , F . II . Coccus , Theodore Distill , and Thomas f , v . v ! er .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Complimentary Dinner To Distinguished American Freemasons.
I venture , Sir , as a Freemason , and as deeply interested in the spread and maintenance of the prestige and character of '' the Masonic Press all over the World , " to express a fervent hope that this aus / i-ious gathering- may be a symbol of that peace ancl friendship and goodwill that will ever bind England and America together ; that our rivalry henceforward will only he , which country shall most
try to advance the welfare of the people , the dignity of the law , and the preservation of good order and society on the great principles of toleration , justice and truth—which of us shall best succeed with united energies in promoting the civilization and the pacification of mankind . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . F . A . Philbriek , Q . C , P . G . D ., proposed "
Anglo-Saxon Masonry . He said , Sk and Brethren : At this hour of the evening , and after the very eloquent remarks that you have just listened to , it would ill-become me to detain you long in proposing the toast that has been assigned to me . " Anglo-Saxon Masonry , " is one which needs nothing in an assemblage of Masons to commend itself . Our very presence here to-night is a testimony
that Masonry among the great English speaking nations of the world is not the mere curious theories , nor the mere secret assembly that some would suppose ; it is not the mere " dead letter , " of an obsolete ritual ; but it is a living haven in the hearts of men . And if I may borrow from the elc q lent words that fell from one of the American officers , the progress , the grand progress , that Masonry has
made in thc great countries on the other side of the Atlantic , which though severed from us we are proud in the old country to feel sprang from our loins , I cannot but feel that Masonry in its highest and its best sense is au institution that flourishes best in a land of freedom among a people enlightened and free , who having won and achieved liberty of conscience and action and thought , know and
respect those great guarantees for the exercise and the perpetuation of their liberties , e > f which Masonry is one of the greatest , if not the chief . We hear much in this side * ofthe world , of not merely Masonry that is p a tised v > i . hin these isjes , but the difficulties of those who adhere to our order in foreign countries are subjected to ; but I think you will agree in the truth of this remark that wherever there exists
the truest freedom there Masonry best takes its root , there it spreads its branches widest , there its fruit is the fairest . A gathering like this must make us all who paiticipate in it not only feel grateful to him wlin has gjven us the opportui ityfor thus assembling and testifying our regard , not only e . f thanking him for the splendid hospitality which has priced his entertainment , but also for
the opportunity if holding out ihe hand of friendship to our American brethren , and of assuring them tint while we in . England e , f course are loyal and true tn the governing power of the Grand Lodge to which we owe all < glance , yet we feel that those who have sprung from us , anil who , sogracefully recognise , as has been done this evening , the parent authority which first created the Grand Lodge s in
Ameiua , that they are true and worthy descendants oi those who first carried from the old country into plantati ns , as they were called in the olden time , those germs of Masonry which hand in hand with the hearts and freedom of Englishmen had contrihutcd to found the great and glorious Empire , which I will not prophecy what destiny Ins in store for it , but at this moment is one of the greatest
powers on the face of the globe , not merely in extent , not merely in numbers , but one of the great powers for good , preserving all the principles of freedom , asserting in the face of mankind that indomitable love of liberty , that freedom of speech , and which distinguish , and I trust ever may distinguish the Anglo-Saxon race , of which the Anglo-Saxon Masonry is the worthy eX i onent . With
this toast I beg to associate the name tjf a brother who sits at the other end of the room , who has contributed largely to Masi nic history , and is one of the great ornaments of the Order—I m .-an our Bro . Hughan . Bro . W . J . Hughan . P . G . D ., in reply said : Worshipful Bro . Kenning , I think every brother present this evening will recogtise the fait tl at in my following our eloquent
Brother Phiihiick , Q . C , I have a very difficult la-k to oerform . The nature ol the toast make-sit still more difficult , for tint of Anglo-Saxon Frerm esonry is one which must make all our hearts burn while we resprnd , Itisatoast so great in itself that I am afraid in responding to it I can scarcely do more than express the fact that I agree with every word that has been uttered by Bra . Pnilbrick , and to
note that from early times in this country , and the earl y times in the new country we have up to the present a magnificent illustration of Anglo-Sixon Freemasonry ' Leaving out cf the question the antiquity of Free masonry in England , 1 would ask you one minute to go with me to that ot the United States , and remember that from Daniel Coxe's Grand Lodge of 1750 do , vn to the Grind
Lodge of yesterday , or alphabetically from the Grand Lodge of Alabama , down to that of Wyoming Territory , not forgetting the Grand Lodges ' of British North America , there have sprung something like the million and a half of Freemasons of to-day . I say without any hesitation , and I am sure every brother here will agree with me that Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry is
symbolically a continuous and permanent Atlantic cable , which unites the old world with the new , and in fact connects the north pole with the south , warmed from the east and fed from the west . May we indeed all see , that it is only by our remembering the landmarks of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry that we remain true to our colours . W th your permission I will at once co struct an Anglo- S axon
Masonic apron . We have in the four prcreqiii-iies of Freemasonry the four 1 cints of the : Parallelogram , viz ., ( 1 ) wen , ( 2 i just , ( 3 ) upright , and ( 4 ) free- , urging in the promotion of F , ith , Hop-, and Charily , ' i-O'iipo . ing the . Triangle , all pointing to tbe Gnat Architect of the Universe , whom vve should all 1 , ve and obey . I jiayc great pit as urn n responding ll . i , evening to so great a toast ¦ " )<• Hint " Angli .-Sa \ em Fn emas ' rmrv . "
Complimentary Dinner To Distinguished American Freemasons.
for I am persuaded the more it is studied and understood , the more it will be valued , and in proportion as we follow us principles sh ., 11 we be true to our professions , Bro . Col . Creaton , P . G , in prop isiny " Our English Masonic Charities and Distressed Masons all over ihe World , " said Bro- Chairman and brethren , the toast which has b .: en placed in my Inn ' s requires few words of comment or recommendation in such au
assembly as this . Th-- three great Masonic Charities if England seem to mark out for us a line e . f Masonic duty and of Masonic sympathy . They grant annuites to aged and decayed Masons ancl widows of Masons , and ihey provide a good sound and valuable education for 200 girls and 211 boys . Thus the English Craft taxes itself to the amount of £ 30 , 000 annually
to maintain these excellent charities . I am quite confident that the American brethren will join us in wishing "Success and continued Prosperity to our English Masonic Charities . " I am requested by our Chairman to couple with that toast the name of Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of the Boys' School . After Bro . the Rev . P . M . Holden had recited
"Sheridan ' s Ride , " Bro . Binckes said , if Bro . Hughan asks indulgence for himself after following the eloquent speeches which preceded his address , how much more ought I to ask indulgence for myself after the eloquent recitation of Bro . Holden ? I feel that after such a stirring delivery everything that falls from mc must be
" stale-, flit , and unprofitable . " But at all events on an occasion so interesting , under circumstances so fortunate ancl so peculiarly acceptable as those which hail brought us here this evening , I have ; only one dissentient voice to the proposition f slart with that the to ist proposed by l ol . Creaton of " Success to our great Masonic Institutions , " is one that will carry the
sympathies of every one around this table who has the interests of our great Order at he-art . Tbe observations which fell from Col . Creaton ia proposing the toast render it unnecessary for me to weary our friends frjm the other side , of the Atlantic , or th sc who arc here who arc conversant with all that is done by our Institutions ; but I think it must be a matter of
congratulation to us all , hailing from whatever juris'iction vve may , that vve in this little island of England are able to produce jn this year something like £ 30 , 000 for our three institutions , ami so to support altogether Soo individuals , aged people and children of both sexes ; and of late years we e-annot only find means for the sustenance of tho « e institutions , but our income , as a rule , exceeds our expenditure .
Tin : words first used by our illustrious brother from the oilier side of the Atlantic would just lead to say one word as to my ignorance of what organisations they have for charitable purposes in the United States of America , but this much I fortunately know , that I ancl others who are in the same position , have received over ancl over again , the most gratifying testimony anel assurance of the delight
that they experience in the success that we enjoy ; and I have no doubt that our friends here this evening will be the first to follow , and co-operate in the work of the great Masonic charities under thc jurisdiction of the Grand Loci'c of England . It is very clifficult in speaking at a late hour in the evening , in responding to the : toast of "The Masonic Charities , "to avoid repeating- somewhat of
what has fallen from previous speakers , I do not wish to weary our friends from the other side of the water , or our English friends , with any statistics . I would only repeat what has been said over and over again , ancl direct their attention , not so much vours as their-- , to the two great watchwords of our Order , announcecl by the Prince of Wales at his installation in the Albert Hall , " Loyilty
and Charity ; " and in doing so I wish to express an earnest hops ill it while , as in days gone hy , we looked on that great expanse of water that s-parites the mother country from its promising child , thc great improvements lhat have been mad .-: of late- yea's in navigation ancl in the means of communication miv , perhaps , quoting the words of a cabinet minister of the present day ,
lead us to understand tint whether the billows of that great ocean be lashed into f irj-, they shall no longer be 1 * girded by us as an obstacle that separates , but rather look upon them as a link that unites the two great English speaking peop ' e of ihe world , whose high and earnest hope will hi : used in incilca'ing las'in ; happitvss , the principle of loyalty to our regularly constituted
gnvernmen ' s , to practising the universal spirit of charity , and in maintaining in all its integrity that unity of speech , heart , and action , which is the birthright and distinguishing characteristic of both . ( Applause . ) Bro . Janies Terry ( for whom there were loud calls ) said : Bro . Kenning , Brethren of America and of England , after the exhaustive s , ;> ei-ch , and the very eloquent , I would also
sav , of my friend and colleague , Bro . Binckes , very little more is left for mc to give utterance to in response to the toast of " The Masonic Institutions , " remembered in this great assembly—one so kindly collected together by the unbounded hospitality of our host th's evening , than to thank him and many good friends we see ar-rand this iromfor all they have done in d lys gane by in support of
the interest of the whole three of our Masonic Institutions ; and I may b » , perhaps , permitted to say that the amount of onr contributions have been rather under than over stated by onr good friend who proposed the toast , an 1 also by mv collegui 1 , who responded , inasmuch as during the last two years we have' not only hid the sum of £ 30 , 000 each ycir , but vve ' iavc totalled over £ 42 , 030 n-vear
during those tsyo years tint r-pe-i-nts . in Anu-rii-. an currency , something like 210 . 000 dollars , brought in at thrc- meetings in the conrs-. of one vear . Now , Sir , if thai is tie f : n : t , in respect of our Masonic Institutions , how much must we be indebted to the Craft , for all that they have done , and to the Masonic Press , for every effort they hav ? given us in endeavouring to make known the claims
Complimentary Dinner To Distinguished American Freemasons.
of those three Institutions , and personally speaking , on nehalf of myself , I may say the Order is very rnu-h iudcbieel to the press for all they have : done . We mav , perhaps , cliff . r as ti the way It should be done , but we . know a ter all that we have one heart , one soul , one spirit to work in ; we do all we possibly cm to prom ate . tbe good ancl the prosperity of them ail . I thank you very mucri
indeed , and you alsa , Mr . Chairman , for ll u ing g iven me the : opportunity of responding to the toast , and congratulating our American brethren to this great hall of ours in England , and I hope and trust they mav carry hack to their country the kind c insideration of all Lin Ion Masons , and the earnest wishes for their health , we elth , and prosperity , and the goodwill of all our Masonic brethren .
Bro . Kenning called upon Sir John Bennett to propose the last toast . " Bro . Sir John Bennett , in proposing the toast of "The Ladies , " s lid : Last , indeed , unduly last ; but , nevertheless , I am deeply indebted to the grace and favour of our munificent host for having the pleasure of attending here this evening , and though ilis my goodfoitunc from time
to time to address important assemblies elsewhere , I look with pecu'iar interest and satisfaction on tbe remarkable meeting that I have attended this very night graced as it js by men representing almost every branch of human interests , graced too with the presence , the august presence I would aVe-. ost say , of the leading spirits of our great corporation of London , " the guide- , philosopherand friend "
of the Common Council in its mostprofou nt . itliberations . " feel that this is no ordinary asccmbly , aa . l we are quite in a posbion to nig ht to greet the Craft from the other side of tbe Atlantic , and it would not be befitting tbat vve should part to nig ht , having toasted brethren of our Craft without lemcmbering the sisters of our Craft , because whatever tbe brethren might bc , whether of thc States ,
abroad in Europe , or at home , the chief contributor to the " United States " or the old and the new world in woman . Yes , whether young or old—and I happen to hi in thc somewhat fortunate position of being a somewhat young man , and therefore can dilate with hcartincjs on the subjeclof the toast—whether in the spring of life , as 1 suppose Byron vvas when he
said" In the days of our youth , when the heart is in its spring , The affections will never take wing ; il have lived , and who has not , and what heart will declare That pleasure was absent while woman was there ? ' '
I never knew a good thing in this world but a woman was at tbe bottom of it . I say in spring- she does—i-i our infancy—her duty to mankind ; ay , in the heyday of manhood what a j > yous ancl blessed c mpanion ; in our autumn she mini ters to our jays , and when we have none elevates our sorrows : ancl at last when it comes to it , she is the very hand and support of the winter of old age .
We toast them with all reverence , with all honour . VVe toast woman , whether on the other side of the Ail intic or here at home wilh us . I know how much every man is , a public man especially , indebted to his better , lus purer , and very frequently hii lesser half . People who wonder among ourselves where some of us get our original thoughts from do not know we have talked them over
with our w ' wes over the breakfast table in the morning , and our original thoughts come from that quarter . In the " light fantastic toe , " as vve term it , we engage her , and in the song we have had here to-night I miss her . In nature also I may observe that the creator did not fancy thc wo Id complete unless he gave us the soprano and alto , and , therefore , in song I regret we did not have female
voices . We have not had woman to give grace to this entertainment ; but in whatever phase of life , in whatever character she appears , wc , good Masons , from the old and from the new world , are prepared to drink this toast wilh all respect , affection , and reverence , and s ) in that spirit I speak tc < you , in that spirit I give it , and in that S ; IT it , I am tniite sure , Worshipful President , the Craft
will be- s > g"o . l as to drink it . Bro . Altman said in reply : After the eloquent words that have fallen from the young man who had just spoken , I am almost adiamed to think that thii is the last toast of the evening , although as he has justly observed it is not the least . For my own part I would rather it had been the fir-t mart , because from what I
heir of Misaniy , if it was not for the la lu-s many of the brethieii who are now around tbe festive boirel would not be able to be present-. They a e the heartstrings of Ma-S'inr ,. I , for my part , regret that the laeltes are not present to g ive our American friend * the hearty welcome that they will give to all Masons nut only here but coming from the either side of the Atlantic . After the eloquent
speeches of the brethren right and left of us , the only thing I can say is this , that although the ladies could not be present to-night I am sure they feel very grateful for this toast . The ladies are very useful in Freemasonry . Look through the books of subscriptions that are published and you will sec that the ladies become Life Governors and Life Patrons of our Institution- * . Therefore , as they are
such a help to us it is our duty to drink their health . I thank you on their behalf foi the very kind way in which ynvi have done so . This closed the proceedings in the dining hall , and the brethien then took tea and coffee together in the drawing room . Tbe whole evening was of a most enjoyable char . acti r , and all thc brethren expressed the greatest
gratificiti ai nt what tbey hid witnessed . The English brethren wire much amused and -f ^ ni-hed atthcspcciil American " lire , " which was given by the American visitors . This fire is ell . il "the rocket Ore , " and is only given on exceptionally grand ore isioiis . The musivul artistes who contributed tn-ite rially to the ci j eyment e . f the evening were Bros . T , W . Simons , G . T . Cait . r , F . II . Coccus , Theodore Distill , and Thomas f , v . v ! er .