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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Jan. 1, 1857
  • Page 5
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Jan. 1, 1857: Page 5

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    Article THE NEW YEAR. ← Page 4 of 4
Page 5

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The New Year.

thrown us , let us remember that evil is good to those who consider whence it comes , its purport , and who , merging the past in the present , contrast what is , with what might have been ,, Seasons vary , now we have too much sunshine , now too much rain , according to our shortsightedness ; let us be thankful for enough of both . The weather and the seasons , with their fruits and lessons , come always right at the year ' s end ; why then should the most constant , ay ! and sincere 3 tribute from man to his Maker be—Complaint ?

Foundation of Freemasons' Hall . — "In the year 1776 , " continued my amusing companion , " I had the gratification , under a new Master , of witnessing the most magnificent spectacle it is possible to conceive ; for it realized the gorgeous description of the Arabian Tales . I refer to the solemn dedication of Freemasons ' Hall . The numerous hand of Grand and Past Grand officers , in full Masonic

costume ; the galleries crowded with ladies of rank and fashion , presenting the appearance of a magnificent parterre decorated with a galaxy of exotic flowers dazzling to the eye ; a hundred musicians , vocal and instrumental , placed in the orchestra ; the Masters and Wardens of private Lodges arranged , like a holy Sanedriin , in order of precedency upon the benches on the floor ; added to the splendid and tasteful decorations in the Hall itself , produced a coup a" ceil which exceeds my powers of rhetoric to describe .

" It was a superb sight to behold the Brethren , invested with the badges and appendages suitable to their rank , entering the hall from the committee-room , and proceeding to the throne of Solomon , compass the room three several times to sweet music , amidst the waving of handkerchiefs and scarfs from the ladies in the galleries . The Grand Tyler led the way , then followed the Lodge , covered with white satin , borne by four serving brethren ; after which , the corn , wine , and oil , in covered vessels of gold and silver , carried by Master Masons of good standing in the Order , followed by the members of the Hall Committee , and the Brethren of the Alfred Lodge , Oxford , two and two , in their academical dress , surmounted by the insignia of their several offices .

" But it will be an unnecessary waste of time , " the Square interjected , parenthetically , " to describe the order of a procession which must be perfectly familiar to you . When the preliminary ceremonies were completed , and the Lodge placed in the centre of the hall ; when the three lesser lights , with the gold and silver pitchers containing the elements of consecration , were placed thereon ; when the three great lights , on a velvet cushion , were deposited upon the pedestal in solemn silence , then did the heart of every Brother present rebound , like the war-horse at the thrilling blast of the trumpet , on hearing the simultaneous burst of harmony from the orchestra , which introduced the opening symphonies of the

foundationstone anthem , — 1 To heaven's High Architect all praise , & c ., which was sung- by Mr . Hudson , of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , the choruses being filled up by the whole band . " The ceremony , I assure you , sir , was very imposing ; and although the eye was satiated with the gorgeous display , and the ear delighted by the sweet influence of music , yet the heart of every person in this vast assembly was carried away

by the oration of the Grand Chaplain , whose matchless eloquence of language and grace of delivery riveted the attention of his audience . And when he pronounced any particularly line passage , with all the enei'gy of enthusiasm , the acclamations were unbounded ; and the conclusion of the address , after a deep silence of a few seconds , was hailed with such peals of enthusiastic cheering , as have scarcely ever since been heard within the walls of Freemasons' Hall . The triumph of the orator was complete . — Revelations of a Square *

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1857-01-01, Page 5” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 28 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/frm_01011857/page/5/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Untitled Ad 1
THE NEW YEAR. Article 2
PENCILLINGS PROM THE SKETCH-BOOK OF A MADRAS OFFICER. Article 6
LA VENDEE. Article 12
"LABOUR AND REFRESHMENT." Article 14
A SECOND CANTO FOR THE NEW TEAR. Article 16
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 17
ROYAL FREEMASONS' SCHOOL FOR FEMALE CHILDREN Article 19
GRAND MASTERS. Article 19
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 20
METROPOLITAN. Article 28
PROVINCIAL, Article 42
ROYAL ARCH. Article 62
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 63
SCOTLAND. Article 64
IRELAND. Article 70
AMERICA. Article 71
SUMMARY OF NEWS FOR DECEMBER Article 72
NOTICE. Article 76
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 76
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The New Year.

thrown us , let us remember that evil is good to those who consider whence it comes , its purport , and who , merging the past in the present , contrast what is , with what might have been ,, Seasons vary , now we have too much sunshine , now too much rain , according to our shortsightedness ; let us be thankful for enough of both . The weather and the seasons , with their fruits and lessons , come always right at the year ' s end ; why then should the most constant , ay ! and sincere 3 tribute from man to his Maker be—Complaint ?

Foundation of Freemasons' Hall . — "In the year 1776 , " continued my amusing companion , " I had the gratification , under a new Master , of witnessing the most magnificent spectacle it is possible to conceive ; for it realized the gorgeous description of the Arabian Tales . I refer to the solemn dedication of Freemasons ' Hall . The numerous hand of Grand and Past Grand officers , in full Masonic

costume ; the galleries crowded with ladies of rank and fashion , presenting the appearance of a magnificent parterre decorated with a galaxy of exotic flowers dazzling to the eye ; a hundred musicians , vocal and instrumental , placed in the orchestra ; the Masters and Wardens of private Lodges arranged , like a holy Sanedriin , in order of precedency upon the benches on the floor ; added to the splendid and tasteful decorations in the Hall itself , produced a coup a" ceil which exceeds my powers of rhetoric to describe .

" It was a superb sight to behold the Brethren , invested with the badges and appendages suitable to their rank , entering the hall from the committee-room , and proceeding to the throne of Solomon , compass the room three several times to sweet music , amidst the waving of handkerchiefs and scarfs from the ladies in the galleries . The Grand Tyler led the way , then followed the Lodge , covered with white satin , borne by four serving brethren ; after which , the corn , wine , and oil , in covered vessels of gold and silver , carried by Master Masons of good standing in the Order , followed by the members of the Hall Committee , and the Brethren of the Alfred Lodge , Oxford , two and two , in their academical dress , surmounted by the insignia of their several offices .

" But it will be an unnecessary waste of time , " the Square interjected , parenthetically , " to describe the order of a procession which must be perfectly familiar to you . When the preliminary ceremonies were completed , and the Lodge placed in the centre of the hall ; when the three lesser lights , with the gold and silver pitchers containing the elements of consecration , were placed thereon ; when the three great lights , on a velvet cushion , were deposited upon the pedestal in solemn silence , then did the heart of every Brother present rebound , like the war-horse at the thrilling blast of the trumpet , on hearing the simultaneous burst of harmony from the orchestra , which introduced the opening symphonies of the

foundationstone anthem , — 1 To heaven's High Architect all praise , & c ., which was sung- by Mr . Hudson , of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , the choruses being filled up by the whole band . " The ceremony , I assure you , sir , was very imposing ; and although the eye was satiated with the gorgeous display , and the ear delighted by the sweet influence of music , yet the heart of every person in this vast assembly was carried away

by the oration of the Grand Chaplain , whose matchless eloquence of language and grace of delivery riveted the attention of his audience . And when he pronounced any particularly line passage , with all the enei'gy of enthusiasm , the acclamations were unbounded ; and the conclusion of the address , after a deep silence of a few seconds , was hailed with such peals of enthusiastic cheering , as have scarcely ever since been heard within the walls of Freemasons' Hall . The triumph of the orator was complete . — Revelations of a Square *

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