-
Articles/Ads
Article AN ORATION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article AN ORATION. Page 2 of 2 Article LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW TOWN HALL AT DUNOON. Page 1 of 2 Article LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW TOWN HALL AT DUNOON. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration.
lodge ; see that you each , in your turn , are prepared to justify your acceptance into your ranks of every candidate , tested as it ought to be by the princip les ot the Order . At all cost , my brethren ,
refuse admission to the unworthy and the unfitting . Let no ambition to enlarge your numbers , no eagerness to increase your funds , ever divert yon from following the straight and undeviating
line which should ever mark the footsteps of the true Mason . I trust I have dealt with this subject so as to give pain to none , I have specified no individual case , but there must be many here
who know well that I have reason for what I have said . My own experience and the experience of my Masonic friends throughout the kingdom guide me to the clear conclusion that I
ought to address you on the subject . I should be unworthy of the confidence placed in me by him by whose grace I fill the proud office I do , and
of the confidence you have always extended to me in the . discharge of my responsible duties , if cowardice or indifference led me to be silent in
the presence of an evil which is sapping the pure fame of our Institution . ' If you would save that pure fame , let every Mason strike at the very root of the evil , let each satisfy himself of
the good moral qualities of the candidates offered For their acceptance . Do not be satisfied with the negative fact that you know no evil of them ,
but assure yourselves that their minds and their dispositions are attuned to Masonry . Make each candidate understand that ours is no benefit
society , from -which he may expect to receive more than he brings , but on the contrary , let him be told that he will be expected to give rather than to receive , to do good to his fellow creatures
rather than to be pensioners upon them . Let him , if possible , be taught more clearly still that while we enjoy each other ' s society round the festive board , temperance chastens our
enjoyment , and that there is no room there for the drunkard and the dissolute . Tell every candidate that before he can become one of us he must , in the words of our antient charge , ' Let prudence
direct him , temperance chasten htm , and justice be the guide of all his actions . ' And then , in the words of a distinguished brother— ' The rigid observance of these rules for a series of
years , and not many years will be required , will restore the goodly condition of former years , when the moral force of the Alasonic obligation was alone sufficient to secure obedience to all
requirements , and enable us to feel that tt is a great lionour and distinction in society to be hailed and recognised as Freemasons . With these views it has been my constant effort , in
visiting lodges , to impress upon my brethren a higher standard of Alasonic excellence , more exacting tests of fitness in candidates , a more rigid observance of our solemn personal
obligations to each other in all our intercourse , and more readiness to punish every departure from those obligations . I have urged upon them everywhere , that the so-called lesser evils of societv ,
of which the law of the land takes no cognizance—intemperance , profanity evil speaking , hypocrisy and deception—are all Masonic
onences ; and , as we would preserve the ancient lustre and hallowed charm which has so longencircled the Fraternity , we cannot be too zealous Jn tlieir condemnation antl punishment . ' 1
An Oration.
fervently pray that with me yon will strain every nerve to remove the spots which disfigure our glorious luminary , and then , brethren , to quote from another distinguished brother , a P . G-.
Chaplain of England— " If thus , brethren , we hold to the great principles of our Order , ' adding to our faith virtue , to virtue knowledge , to knowledge temperance , to temperance brotherly
kindness , and to brotherly kindness charity -, ' then we shall hand down something in our generation to bless and enrich our Craft , our country , and our kind . Systems may change : customs may
vary ; nay , empires may rise or fall , we shall still , keeping in view the ancient landmarks and ' the bright and morning star' go on our way rejoicing—rejoicing in the spread of truth , of virtue
of charity—rejoicing in the diffusion of that peace and good will which shall really conduce to the brotherhood of nations—rejoicing in the mitigation of human suffering , in the alleviation of
human sorrow , and in the elevation of human thought . Then , having passed through the apprenticeship of human discip line , having had fellowship in the work of restoration—having
mastered the lower passions and affections of human nature , having , in fact , finished the work given us to do , we shall exchange these lodges or tents we now inhabit for eternal mansions not
made with hands , which the Great Architect has prepared —and we shall enter on the possession of that promised land where the good and faithful workman shall rejoin the companions of his
former toils , shall rest from his labours , and shall receive hsi 'great reward . ' " The delivery of the foregoing address was concluded amidst the heartiest applause .
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Town Hall At Dunoon.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW TOWN HALL AT DUNOON .
On Saturday , the 30 th nit ., an imposing demonstration took place at Dunoon , on the occasion of the laying the foundation-stone of the New Burgh Buildings and Town Hall for that beautiful watering place . The weather during the entire day was delightfull y fine , and from an
early hour in the forenoon the prepossessing village was quite astir and wore more than a holiday aspect . The streets were crowded with people—fine and gaily-dressed ladies and gentlemen—the quiet inhabitant and summer resident alike entering into the spirit of the occasion ;
flags waving in every direction , music striking the ear wherever one went , the pageant of a public procession—all went to make up a scene of peculiar loveliness , a scene to be remembered . Dunoon has long felt the want of a proper public hall , and unavailing efforts were frequently
made to have that want supplied . Some months ago , however , the Police Commissioners were successful in carrying out measures for the erection of a suitable place , and that , commenced as it was in J une last , is expected to be completed early in the forthcoming year . The edifice ,
which faces Argyll Street , is in the old Scottish style of architecture , and is fitted up with burgh offices and the concomitant platform nnd rooms of a convenient public meeting-place . The hall is on the second storey , will accommodate 500 people , and has its entrance from Hanover-street .
1 'he burgh offices are on the ground floor , and ire to have their entrance from Argyll-street . The entire building will cost about , £ 3-joo . The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone , is has been stated , was performed on Saturday ,
the 30 th ult ., with full Alasonic honours , by Bro . J . J . Grieve , M . P ., for Greenock , and Right Worshipful Grand Deputy Master , Provincial Grand Lodge of West Renfrewshire Alasons . Previous to the ceremony , however , a grand procession , composed chiefly of Masons , took place ,
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Town Hall At Dunoon.
the processionists , to the music of five instrumental bands , marching througn the principal streets . This was a very imposing part of the proceedings , and attracted a great deal of attention . About half-past two the procession arrived at the new building , and the various
companies of demonstrators—a body of the county constabulary , the magistrates and police commissioners , the Provincial Grand Lodge and other Masonic lo-dges , the . Good Templars , & c ., - ~ were soon in their proper places . The gathering of people here was very large , and every piece
of vantage ground , including the spacious platform erected on the partly-completed building , was crowded with ladies and gentlemen , among whom we observed General Anderson , C . B . and- party from Edinburgh . The ceremony was commenced by Bro . the Rev . Arch . Fullarton ,
Greenock , engaging in prayer . Provost Smith then presented Bro . Grieve with a handsome silver trowel , for which , as well as for the honour accorded him , the Right Worshipful Deputy Master thanked the promoters of the demonstration . The various formalities ,
including the placing of a bottle containing the coins of the realm , and a copy of each the Edinburgh , Glasgow , and Greenock newspapers in the cavity of the stone , having been completed and the stone declared properly laid . Bro . Grieve addressed the gathering . He said
that by the favour of Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , Grand Master of West Renfrewshire , he had been deputed to perform the ceremony which had been completed , and although not performed in the efficient way it would have been by the Right Worshipful G . Master , yet' it had
been done with a sincere heart and a good will . It afforded him great pleasure to come and witness this flourishing place , which might now be ranked as a town . By the enterprise of the inhabitants and the worthy magistrates , they had raised a hall which would be worthy the place ,
and he could not more suitably impress upon them , than in the fine language of their ( the officiating ) clergyman , the duties that devolved upon them in the maintenance of the hall . He trusted the enterprise of Dunoon would be an example to many other places , for it was of the
utmost importance to have a proper place for the great bulk of the people to assemble and deliberate , and express themselves on all matters affecting the community and the nation at large . He had therefore to congratulate them that that edifice had been erected under the Provostship of
his respected friend Mr . Smith . He trusted it would be the precursor of many blessings to the burgh . Provost Smith said he had to thank Mr . Grieve for his kindness in coming to Dunoon and so efficiently laying the foundation stone of that
building . The operations connected with it had hitherto been carried on without accident , and he trusted the auspicious commencement might be followed up to an equalley prosperous and happy termination . The want of a public hall had long been felt in Dnnoon , but up to the present any
effort in the direction of having the want supplied always fell through . Last yearthe Commissioners Jadopted steps to bring into requisition the clauses of the Police and Public Improvement Acts , whereby- an assessment was leviable for public buildings , and through this and the good
offices of the late Bro . John M'Arthur Moir , who generously granted a free site on which to erect the hall , the long-desired object was attained , and the hall , as they saw , was now far advanced towards completion . He could not but embrace the opportunity of bearing testimony of the
enlightened interest that Bro . Moir manifested in that place during all their negotiations and intercourse with him in reference to the affairs ofthe town , during the very short time he enjoyed the estate . The Commissioners , as well as the general community , had great reason to mourn
his earl y death . In the course of the afternoon a public dinner took place in tha Free Church Academy , when a large number of gentleman sat down . Provost Smith occupied the chair , and the croupiers were Bailies Melville and Lyall and Captain R . W . Young .
Dinner over , the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts . Dr . Thomson gave " Both Houses of Pailia-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration.
lodge ; see that you each , in your turn , are prepared to justify your acceptance into your ranks of every candidate , tested as it ought to be by the princip les ot the Order . At all cost , my brethren ,
refuse admission to the unworthy and the unfitting . Let no ambition to enlarge your numbers , no eagerness to increase your funds , ever divert yon from following the straight and undeviating
line which should ever mark the footsteps of the true Mason . I trust I have dealt with this subject so as to give pain to none , I have specified no individual case , but there must be many here
who know well that I have reason for what I have said . My own experience and the experience of my Masonic friends throughout the kingdom guide me to the clear conclusion that I
ought to address you on the subject . I should be unworthy of the confidence placed in me by him by whose grace I fill the proud office I do , and
of the confidence you have always extended to me in the . discharge of my responsible duties , if cowardice or indifference led me to be silent in
the presence of an evil which is sapping the pure fame of our Institution . ' If you would save that pure fame , let every Mason strike at the very root of the evil , let each satisfy himself of
the good moral qualities of the candidates offered For their acceptance . Do not be satisfied with the negative fact that you know no evil of them ,
but assure yourselves that their minds and their dispositions are attuned to Masonry . Make each candidate understand that ours is no benefit
society , from -which he may expect to receive more than he brings , but on the contrary , let him be told that he will be expected to give rather than to receive , to do good to his fellow creatures
rather than to be pensioners upon them . Let him , if possible , be taught more clearly still that while we enjoy each other ' s society round the festive board , temperance chastens our
enjoyment , and that there is no room there for the drunkard and the dissolute . Tell every candidate that before he can become one of us he must , in the words of our antient charge , ' Let prudence
direct him , temperance chasten htm , and justice be the guide of all his actions . ' And then , in the words of a distinguished brother— ' The rigid observance of these rules for a series of
years , and not many years will be required , will restore the goodly condition of former years , when the moral force of the Alasonic obligation was alone sufficient to secure obedience to all
requirements , and enable us to feel that tt is a great lionour and distinction in society to be hailed and recognised as Freemasons . With these views it has been my constant effort , in
visiting lodges , to impress upon my brethren a higher standard of Alasonic excellence , more exacting tests of fitness in candidates , a more rigid observance of our solemn personal
obligations to each other in all our intercourse , and more readiness to punish every departure from those obligations . I have urged upon them everywhere , that the so-called lesser evils of societv ,
of which the law of the land takes no cognizance—intemperance , profanity evil speaking , hypocrisy and deception—are all Masonic
onences ; and , as we would preserve the ancient lustre and hallowed charm which has so longencircled the Fraternity , we cannot be too zealous Jn tlieir condemnation antl punishment . ' 1
An Oration.
fervently pray that with me yon will strain every nerve to remove the spots which disfigure our glorious luminary , and then , brethren , to quote from another distinguished brother , a P . G-.
Chaplain of England— " If thus , brethren , we hold to the great principles of our Order , ' adding to our faith virtue , to virtue knowledge , to knowledge temperance , to temperance brotherly
kindness , and to brotherly kindness charity -, ' then we shall hand down something in our generation to bless and enrich our Craft , our country , and our kind . Systems may change : customs may
vary ; nay , empires may rise or fall , we shall still , keeping in view the ancient landmarks and ' the bright and morning star' go on our way rejoicing—rejoicing in the spread of truth , of virtue
of charity—rejoicing in the diffusion of that peace and good will which shall really conduce to the brotherhood of nations—rejoicing in the mitigation of human suffering , in the alleviation of
human sorrow , and in the elevation of human thought . Then , having passed through the apprenticeship of human discip line , having had fellowship in the work of restoration—having
mastered the lower passions and affections of human nature , having , in fact , finished the work given us to do , we shall exchange these lodges or tents we now inhabit for eternal mansions not
made with hands , which the Great Architect has prepared —and we shall enter on the possession of that promised land where the good and faithful workman shall rejoin the companions of his
former toils , shall rest from his labours , and shall receive hsi 'great reward . ' " The delivery of the foregoing address was concluded amidst the heartiest applause .
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Town Hall At Dunoon.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW TOWN HALL AT DUNOON .
On Saturday , the 30 th nit ., an imposing demonstration took place at Dunoon , on the occasion of the laying the foundation-stone of the New Burgh Buildings and Town Hall for that beautiful watering place . The weather during the entire day was delightfull y fine , and from an
early hour in the forenoon the prepossessing village was quite astir and wore more than a holiday aspect . The streets were crowded with people—fine and gaily-dressed ladies and gentlemen—the quiet inhabitant and summer resident alike entering into the spirit of the occasion ;
flags waving in every direction , music striking the ear wherever one went , the pageant of a public procession—all went to make up a scene of peculiar loveliness , a scene to be remembered . Dunoon has long felt the want of a proper public hall , and unavailing efforts were frequently
made to have that want supplied . Some months ago , however , the Police Commissioners were successful in carrying out measures for the erection of a suitable place , and that , commenced as it was in J une last , is expected to be completed early in the forthcoming year . The edifice ,
which faces Argyll Street , is in the old Scottish style of architecture , and is fitted up with burgh offices and the concomitant platform nnd rooms of a convenient public meeting-place . The hall is on the second storey , will accommodate 500 people , and has its entrance from Hanover-street .
1 'he burgh offices are on the ground floor , and ire to have their entrance from Argyll-street . The entire building will cost about , £ 3-joo . The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone , is has been stated , was performed on Saturday ,
the 30 th ult ., with full Alasonic honours , by Bro . J . J . Grieve , M . P ., for Greenock , and Right Worshipful Grand Deputy Master , Provincial Grand Lodge of West Renfrewshire Alasons . Previous to the ceremony , however , a grand procession , composed chiefly of Masons , took place ,
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Town Hall At Dunoon.
the processionists , to the music of five instrumental bands , marching througn the principal streets . This was a very imposing part of the proceedings , and attracted a great deal of attention . About half-past two the procession arrived at the new building , and the various
companies of demonstrators—a body of the county constabulary , the magistrates and police commissioners , the Provincial Grand Lodge and other Masonic lo-dges , the . Good Templars , & c ., - ~ were soon in their proper places . The gathering of people here was very large , and every piece
of vantage ground , including the spacious platform erected on the partly-completed building , was crowded with ladies and gentlemen , among whom we observed General Anderson , C . B . and- party from Edinburgh . The ceremony was commenced by Bro . the Rev . Arch . Fullarton ,
Greenock , engaging in prayer . Provost Smith then presented Bro . Grieve with a handsome silver trowel , for which , as well as for the honour accorded him , the Right Worshipful Deputy Master thanked the promoters of the demonstration . The various formalities ,
including the placing of a bottle containing the coins of the realm , and a copy of each the Edinburgh , Glasgow , and Greenock newspapers in the cavity of the stone , having been completed and the stone declared properly laid . Bro . Grieve addressed the gathering . He said
that by the favour of Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , Grand Master of West Renfrewshire , he had been deputed to perform the ceremony which had been completed , and although not performed in the efficient way it would have been by the Right Worshipful G . Master , yet' it had
been done with a sincere heart and a good will . It afforded him great pleasure to come and witness this flourishing place , which might now be ranked as a town . By the enterprise of the inhabitants and the worthy magistrates , they had raised a hall which would be worthy the place ,
and he could not more suitably impress upon them , than in the fine language of their ( the officiating ) clergyman , the duties that devolved upon them in the maintenance of the hall . He trusted the enterprise of Dunoon would be an example to many other places , for it was of the
utmost importance to have a proper place for the great bulk of the people to assemble and deliberate , and express themselves on all matters affecting the community and the nation at large . He had therefore to congratulate them that that edifice had been erected under the Provostship of
his respected friend Mr . Smith . He trusted it would be the precursor of many blessings to the burgh . Provost Smith said he had to thank Mr . Grieve for his kindness in coming to Dunoon and so efficiently laying the foundation stone of that
building . The operations connected with it had hitherto been carried on without accident , and he trusted the auspicious commencement might be followed up to an equalley prosperous and happy termination . The want of a public hall had long been felt in Dnnoon , but up to the present any
effort in the direction of having the want supplied always fell through . Last yearthe Commissioners Jadopted steps to bring into requisition the clauses of the Police and Public Improvement Acts , whereby- an assessment was leviable for public buildings , and through this and the good
offices of the late Bro . John M'Arthur Moir , who generously granted a free site on which to erect the hall , the long-desired object was attained , and the hall , as they saw , was now far advanced towards completion . He could not but embrace the opportunity of bearing testimony of the
enlightened interest that Bro . Moir manifested in that place during all their negotiations and intercourse with him in reference to the affairs ofthe town , during the very short time he enjoyed the estate . The Commissioners , as well as the general community , had great reason to mourn
his earl y death . In the course of the afternoon a public dinner took place in tha Free Church Academy , when a large number of gentleman sat down . Provost Smith occupied the chair , and the croupiers were Bailies Melville and Lyall and Captain R . W . Young .
Dinner over , the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts . Dr . Thomson gave " Both Houses of Pailia-