Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

smiles of the ladies , all the homage of the crowd were his , and Mr . Smith , whose health improved as his wounded dignity was appeased , returned to his counting-house in the City ,

thinking with the Swedish Chancellor , "My son , with how little wisdom is the world governed !" Brethren , this anecdote comes into my mind

when I think of writing mysel f clown in the future as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex 1 I feel that the Masonic brethren J

may visit will expect , on hearing that highsounding title , there is far more in me than I shall find it at all possible to bring out ; and I also feel that to be a Grand Officer of this

Metropolitan province involves a heavy responsibility upon those wearing its purple , because the sound of "Middlesex " conveys more to the ear and to the

understanding of the outer world than the names of provinces which are more remote . Middlesex is comparatively new , but it jiresents at this moment a picture of great and stable Masonic

prosperity , and it rests with its members to elevate and strengthen it to a practically unlimited extent . ( Loud cries of hear , hear . ) The Freemasons of Middlesex are at this time one thousand strong ,

the lodges in the province have quadrupled in number since its formation in 1 S 6 9 ; and all that is needed to make its real strength apparent , is a close and inpenetrable union among its forces , and a leader whom it is honourable to follow and

whose position is assured . Brethren no one ¦ who is acquainted with our Prov . Grand Master , Colonel Burdett , can have any doubt as to our good fortune in this last particular ; and I must

protest against the deprecatory tone which the Prov . Grand Master ' s modesty led him into a few minutes ago , when speaking of himself . ( Hear , hear . ) For Masonry , if I understand it ,

is a thing made up of honourable traditions , and while it would be our duty , as it would be our pleasure , to pay respect and obedience to any brother filling the distinguished position of

Provincial Grand Master , the performance of that duty receives an undoubted stimulus when it is called forth b y the inheritor of a lofty lineage , and the successor to a Ions : line of noble eleeds .

( Hear , hear . ) Brethren , our Grand Master bears an historic name ( loud cheers ) , and the archives of his family are permanently inscribed upon the roll of England . Those whose tastes or whose

avocations have led them to the study of genealogy—in the belief that the history of great families furnishes a faithful reflex of the changing conditions and progressive thought of a

nation—those students know that when the Norman conquered , the Burdetts took root ; and that from that time onwards their representatives have , under successive monarchs , played a leading

part in the council-chamber , and on the battlefields of England . ( Cheers ) . We find them founding priories under the Normans ; making valiant pilgrimages to the Holy Land , to fight

the infidel , under the Plantagcncts ; bravely defending our French possessions under the House of Lancaster ; scouring the seas for the defence of our Southern coast , under Henry

the 8 th ; and affording an asylum to men of learning and piety during the troublous times which befel the Stuarts . ( Cheers ) . The representative and heir of these gallant spirits

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

has , it is true , fallen upon quieter times than they , and after serving his country in that distinguished regiment which carries a human skull upon its standard , and has " Death or Glory" for

its motto , has for many years paid diligent attention to the " emblems of mortality" in another walk . ( A laugh . ) I trust , however , we shall hear no more from our Provincial Grand Master

of his having any doubts concerning his own fitness , socially as well as Masonically , for the high position he fills amongst us . ( Hear , hear . ) It is as its own chosen chief , as one who unites

the charm of personal qualities with the claims of ancient blood , and who has inherited the qualities of leadership from a long line of illustrious ancestors , that Middlesex

is proud and happy in its Grand Master . This being so , what remains for us ? I reply to be true to him and to ourselves , by displaying at all times our unity and organisation . In our gallant

regiment of a thousand strong are so many Vice-Presidents and Life Governors of our Charities , that we have only to unite to make our influence felt , and to return a fair proportion of

candidates . In Grand Lodge we may be sure that our influence will be respected , so long as we exercise it in furtherance of those great objects for which Freemasonry exists , and to which all

our obligations point . I see before me , therefore , a great future for Middlesex , and in that future I discern , as in a vision—it may be but a vision , but ! will cherish it—extended usefulness , vast

responsibilities , great means adapted to noble ends , and this great Province marching onwards in calm strength and majesty , respecting itself and respected by the Craft . ( Cheers . ) My

immediate predecessor in this position , whose good wishes on this occasion I most heartily reciprocate , is widely known for the time , devotion , and energy he has displayed in connection with

our various Masonic institutions . ( Hear , hear . ) Our Provincial Grand Secretary has , as was shown pretty conclusively a few months since , won for

himself , by his proved Masonic qualities , troops of Masonic friends . The three predecessors of the Provincial Grand Senior Warden of Middlesex

of to day have represented respectively those scientific attainments which give their possessors a world wide fame , and those sister arts of music and of painting , which soothe

the spirit and refine the mind . ( Hear , hear . ) Why if Plato himself were devising a modern republic—but a republic with a senatorial classdo not those I have quoted represent the very

sections of the community he would rejoice to elevate ? Great services to the Commonwealth proved adminstrative ability : Science , which , by increasing the aggregate of human knowledge ,

swells the sum total of human happiness ; and the beautiful arts by means of which mankind is made l < : ss rugged , and life itself more elevated and graceful . Such are the qualifications which

the Province of Middlesex has , during its brief life , seen in the hi ghest place it has been in the power of its Grand Master to bestow . Remembering this , I am most proud to

accept the trust reposed in me to-day , aiid for my own part , in thanking the Provincial Grand Master f <> r the honourable position he has plueeel me in , and you for the favour you have shown me , let me say that from this hour , I throw in my

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

Masonic lot with Middlesex , and that such time and energy as I am able to give are yours . Let ns always act together as friends united In a common cause , and above all , let us be true to

our flag . Such , brethren , is the spirit and such the hopes with which I enter upon my new duties under the Grand Master . And in all earnestness I henceforth bind myself to the Province in the

expressive words of the good old marriage service , not " forsaking all other , " but "for richer or poorer , for better or worse , " and to this I plight my troth . ( Loud cheers , and cries of hear , hear ) .

The Prov . Grand Master then proposed " The Health of the Stewards , " to which Bro . Buss , Prov . Grand Treasurer , and one of the members of the Dalhousie Lodge , responded , after which the meeting broke up .

Masonic Professions And Practices.

MASONIC PROFESSIONS AND PRACTICES .

There is a manly beauty and consistency in the formation and support of character , first adopting a system of ethics , by which to be governed , and then manfull y to live up to the specific requirements of our own chosen standard . Manliness cannot be better displayed than by such a course .

All trnly great men have attained their high standing in society by first adopting correct moral principles , and then having the firmness and independence to maintain them , in the face of all opposition , and thereby have shown their superiority oyer those who either have no defined and

fixed principles , or if they profess them , have not the moral courage to support them . The great character of our distinguished brother , George Washington , owed all its lustre and grandeur to the uncompromising fidelity with which he adhered to his chosen standard of moral

principles . These sustained him in every position in which he was placed , and if he was called upon to make great sacrifices of ease , comfort and gain , or to sacrifice his principles , he ever choose the former ; and these trials and sacrifices only made the true grandeur of his character to

shine forth with increasing lustre . The character and example of Bro . Washington has had a powerful influence in fixing the type of the true American character . In the primitive purity and simplicity of the American people , the influence of his

example was more forcibly felt , than in later times , and as time rolls on , we are still being borne away , farther and farther from his personal example as a model of American manhood ; but the principles which gave him all the force and , influence of his illustrious life are imperishable

and still retain the power to elevate , refine and promote all who , as he did , adopt and maintain them with unfaltering fidelity and devotion . No Institution with which Washington was associated ever gained so powerful a hold on his affections and esteem as that of the Masonic

Order , except that of the Church , to which he was greatly devoted . The system of ethics adopted and enforced in the Masonic Order , were found to be of the highest order , and that upon which the Church was founded , written by the finger of God Himself , upon tables of stone ,

imperishable and universal in their obligation , and upon which the laws of civil government are founded . This code of morals suited him ; and it was the rule of his life , and formed the basis upon which he carved out his brilliant career , both in his military and civil achievments .

Others , with Washington , have found the lights which are shed from our sacred altars to be sufficiently strong and clear to illuminate their paths to virtue and its great rewards . The " great light" :, ti ! l shines in all its primitive brilliancy and force , and cannot fail if we are careful to folio , v in the paths and duties it reflects to 'rain like honours and . rewards .

But the question arises here . Why are not all Masons gooel men , if not great men ?