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Article At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar. Page 1 of 3 →
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At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.
At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar .
The Provincial Grand Master of Gloucester , Sir Michael Hicks Beach , in replying to the toast of his health at the annual meeting of that province on June 2 nd , in referring to the interesting tour from which he had just returned , remarked that there was one thing in it that impressed him a ^ great deal , and that was the world-wide nature of
Freemasonry . When he went to India he was not fortunate in being able to attend many lodges , but he saw enough of Masonry there to recognise that it , amongst other things , was of enormous importance as to the welfare and prosperity of our Indian Empire . Just think what our Indian Empire was !
There were more than 200 millions of people in India , while the Europeans , military and civil , including women and children , all told , were no more than 150 , 000 . It was perfectly marvellous that so vast an Empire was worked by so few people , but it was worked by the mutual respect and
confidence on the part of the best of the natives towards their English rulers . OOO It was extremely difficult for English and Indians to amalgamate in any way . There was lirst of all , and the
greatest of all , the difference of colour . No one who had not visited countries that were inhabited by races of different colour to their own could recognise the enormous barrier there was between men and women of different colour . Then
there was the difference of race—of many races , compared with our own . There were also the differences of religion , differences far and away greater than anything they could see at home as regarded the different forms of Christianity . And he found that perhaps the one thing—he did not say to any great extent—but the one thing which brought people
of different colour , different race , . and different religion together , meeting in friendly intercourse , was Freemasonry . They would find in the Indian lodges soldiers , civilians , merchants , shopkeepers , lawyers , and as far as he could learn Indians of all colours and all religions were admitted
on perfectly equal footing with Europeans . Was not that in itself a testimony to the enormous power for good of Freemasonry ?
0 0 0 He also went to Egypt , to the Soudan , . and was fortunate enough to ride through Omdurman with Lord Kitchener . The progress of Lord Kitchener through Omdurman , which four years ago was a hot-bed of barbarism , reminded him oi
the progress of a popular Parliamentary candidate after the declaration of the poll in his favour . There were rows of people , men and women , shouting and applauding , and he saw even there something which made him think that perhaps Masonry might be even more world-wide than they
had supposed . <© 0 0 Among those crowds were held aloft the old banners -which did duty with the Dervish army in past years , and on some of those banners he saw Masonic signs . Where did
those Masonic signs come from ? He did not know and nobody could tell him . They came from the interior of Africa , from a civilization very much akin to barbarism , and their presence on those banners led him to the conclusion that there was a good deal in Masonry which , perhaps , even
those who had thought it out had not entirely discovered , and the more that one travelled and saw of the world , the more one appreciated the influence and possible power of Masonry over the destinies of the human race . 0 0 0
The Very Rev . the Dean of Gloucester , who preached the sermon at the cathedral , struck a very pessimistic note in
his discourse . Although he was no alarmist , he said he could not help seeing , as others and more far-seeing minds than his had seen , the dark banks of cloud gathering thickly and ominously on the horizon . If the countless millions who largely made up the vast populations of the world , poor souls , who often knew not their right hand from their left ,
were to rise up in their awful nameless strength at the bidding of the demagogue chiefs of London , Paris , Berlin , St . Petersburg , Vienna , in the cities of the great Western Republic across the seas , and in a hundred mighty centres of population , what would be the awful consequences to all
true progress and to all righteous endeavour ? What a power could Masons be in such a crisis ; what a mighty influence would the Order exercise if days of trouble and anxiety ever came upon them !
0 © 0 We confess to a more hopeful view of the future than is possessed by the worthy Dean , but should the dire calamities he fears afflict the world , we are at one with him in the belief that the influence of Freemasonry would be a potent factor in preserving a better and more sympathetic understanding among men .
© 0 0 An exceptionally large attendance of brethren at the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire at Blackpool , on the 18 th June , was in some degree accounted for by the fact that advantage was to be taken of the annual
gathering , to present to Bro . Goodacre a testimonial in recognition of his services as Provincial Grand Secretary during the past twenty years . Nearly one thousand brethren were present , representing all the lodges in the province , and the Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , presided .
0 , 0 0 The Provincial Grand Master said before they proceeded with the general business he had been asked to perform a very pleasing function . It was within their knowledge that the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Goodacre , was now
in the twentieth year of his office , and it was also known to all that during that period the province had increased in dignity and importance until it had attained the first position among all the provinces of Masonry in England , and he might say in the world . He was sure all would agree that
the progress was due to their excellent Provincial Grand Secretary , to whom he was pleased to present a handsome silver standard lamp and a cheque for live hundred guineas .
0 © 0 The inscription on the lamp was as follows : " Presented , together with a purse of gold , to Bro . Wm . Goodacre , P . G . Swd . B . and Prov . G . Secret . ary , by the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . Prov . G . M ., on behalf of the brethren
of the Province of West Lancashire , as a mark of their respect and in recognition of the valuable services rendered by him to Freemasonry during a period of 40 years , he having for half that time fulfilled the duties of Secretary of the province in the most faithful manner . Blackpool , 18 th
June , 1903 . " Bro . Goodacre expressed his thanks to the brethren for their substantial and very beautiful mark of their goodwill towards him .
00 0 The annual athletic sports of the boys of the Royal Masonic School took place in the grounds of the new institution at Bushey on Saturday , June 6 th , in beautiful summer weather , when there was a large attendance of friends and
those interested in the schools . The sports' field adjoins the principal building , and although at present the ground is somewhat rough , it will in time lend itself . admirably to the purpose for which it was designed . The programme of sports was carried through without a hitch , the whole of the
arrangements being excellent , and the success was one upon which the whole of the officials concerned are to be heartily congratulated . During the afternoon the band of the " S " Division of the Metropolitan Police discoursed selections of music , which were much enjoyed .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.
At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar .
The Provincial Grand Master of Gloucester , Sir Michael Hicks Beach , in replying to the toast of his health at the annual meeting of that province on June 2 nd , in referring to the interesting tour from which he had just returned , remarked that there was one thing in it that impressed him a ^ great deal , and that was the world-wide nature of
Freemasonry . When he went to India he was not fortunate in being able to attend many lodges , but he saw enough of Masonry there to recognise that it , amongst other things , was of enormous importance as to the welfare and prosperity of our Indian Empire . Just think what our Indian Empire was !
There were more than 200 millions of people in India , while the Europeans , military and civil , including women and children , all told , were no more than 150 , 000 . It was perfectly marvellous that so vast an Empire was worked by so few people , but it was worked by the mutual respect and
confidence on the part of the best of the natives towards their English rulers . OOO It was extremely difficult for English and Indians to amalgamate in any way . There was lirst of all , and the
greatest of all , the difference of colour . No one who had not visited countries that were inhabited by races of different colour to their own could recognise the enormous barrier there was between men and women of different colour . Then
there was the difference of race—of many races , compared with our own . There were also the differences of religion , differences far and away greater than anything they could see at home as regarded the different forms of Christianity . And he found that perhaps the one thing—he did not say to any great extent—but the one thing which brought people
of different colour , different race , . and different religion together , meeting in friendly intercourse , was Freemasonry . They would find in the Indian lodges soldiers , civilians , merchants , shopkeepers , lawyers , and as far as he could learn Indians of all colours and all religions were admitted
on perfectly equal footing with Europeans . Was not that in itself a testimony to the enormous power for good of Freemasonry ?
0 0 0 He also went to Egypt , to the Soudan , . and was fortunate enough to ride through Omdurman with Lord Kitchener . The progress of Lord Kitchener through Omdurman , which four years ago was a hot-bed of barbarism , reminded him oi
the progress of a popular Parliamentary candidate after the declaration of the poll in his favour . There were rows of people , men and women , shouting and applauding , and he saw even there something which made him think that perhaps Masonry might be even more world-wide than they
had supposed . <© 0 0 Among those crowds were held aloft the old banners -which did duty with the Dervish army in past years , and on some of those banners he saw Masonic signs . Where did
those Masonic signs come from ? He did not know and nobody could tell him . They came from the interior of Africa , from a civilization very much akin to barbarism , and their presence on those banners led him to the conclusion that there was a good deal in Masonry which , perhaps , even
those who had thought it out had not entirely discovered , and the more that one travelled and saw of the world , the more one appreciated the influence and possible power of Masonry over the destinies of the human race . 0 0 0
The Very Rev . the Dean of Gloucester , who preached the sermon at the cathedral , struck a very pessimistic note in
his discourse . Although he was no alarmist , he said he could not help seeing , as others and more far-seeing minds than his had seen , the dark banks of cloud gathering thickly and ominously on the horizon . If the countless millions who largely made up the vast populations of the world , poor souls , who often knew not their right hand from their left ,
were to rise up in their awful nameless strength at the bidding of the demagogue chiefs of London , Paris , Berlin , St . Petersburg , Vienna , in the cities of the great Western Republic across the seas , and in a hundred mighty centres of population , what would be the awful consequences to all
true progress and to all righteous endeavour ? What a power could Masons be in such a crisis ; what a mighty influence would the Order exercise if days of trouble and anxiety ever came upon them !
0 © 0 We confess to a more hopeful view of the future than is possessed by the worthy Dean , but should the dire calamities he fears afflict the world , we are at one with him in the belief that the influence of Freemasonry would be a potent factor in preserving a better and more sympathetic understanding among men .
© 0 0 An exceptionally large attendance of brethren at the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire at Blackpool , on the 18 th June , was in some degree accounted for by the fact that advantage was to be taken of the annual
gathering , to present to Bro . Goodacre a testimonial in recognition of his services as Provincial Grand Secretary during the past twenty years . Nearly one thousand brethren were present , representing all the lodges in the province , and the Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , presided .
0 , 0 0 The Provincial Grand Master said before they proceeded with the general business he had been asked to perform a very pleasing function . It was within their knowledge that the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Goodacre , was now
in the twentieth year of his office , and it was also known to all that during that period the province had increased in dignity and importance until it had attained the first position among all the provinces of Masonry in England , and he might say in the world . He was sure all would agree that
the progress was due to their excellent Provincial Grand Secretary , to whom he was pleased to present a handsome silver standard lamp and a cheque for live hundred guineas .
0 © 0 The inscription on the lamp was as follows : " Presented , together with a purse of gold , to Bro . Wm . Goodacre , P . G . Swd . B . and Prov . G . Secret . ary , by the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . Prov . G . M ., on behalf of the brethren
of the Province of West Lancashire , as a mark of their respect and in recognition of the valuable services rendered by him to Freemasonry during a period of 40 years , he having for half that time fulfilled the duties of Secretary of the province in the most faithful manner . Blackpool , 18 th
June , 1903 . " Bro . Goodacre expressed his thanks to the brethren for their substantial and very beautiful mark of their goodwill towards him .
00 0 The annual athletic sports of the boys of the Royal Masonic School took place in the grounds of the new institution at Bushey on Saturday , June 6 th , in beautiful summer weather , when there was a large attendance of friends and
those interested in the schools . The sports' field adjoins the principal building , and although at present the ground is somewhat rough , it will in time lend itself . admirably to the purpose for which it was designed . The programme of sports was carried through without a hitch , the whole of the
arrangements being excellent , and the success was one upon which the whole of the officials concerned are to be heartily congratulated . During the afternoon the band of the " S " Division of the Metropolitan Police discoursed selections of music , which were much enjoyed .