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Article PROVINCIAL ← Page 12 of 23 →
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Provincial
though his experience had not been unattended with difficulties , yet , upon a review of tbe past , he could sincerely say that the blessings greatly overweighed the difficulties and anxieties that had attended it . So much for Masonry . In the other capacity to which his lordship had been pleased to refer , that of chief magistrate , it was almost inevitable that he must have differed from many , but he had at the outset laid down a line of conduct for himself that , however strong
might be the difference between him and others , he felt satisfied would obtain for him the approbation of upright and right thinking men . In regard to his position on the present occasion , if he had honestly represented the opinions of those who formed the United Lodges , he should be most happy . It was not often that of three bodies one mouth could utter their common expressions . And whatever might be his position in Masonry , and whatever honours he might obtain as chief magistrate of this ancient , and he might also truly add , this great modern city , he
did say this , that if the O . A . O . T . U . granted to him an extended period of life , there was nothing to which he should look back with more unfeigned . pleasure or more' solid satisfaction , than to the recollection of the proceedings of this very happy day . ( Cheers . ) To have presided at a meeting of the Masonic Craft containing representatives of all classes of society was an honour that no man could lightly value . He trusted that what had occurred-to-day might be for the benefit of future generations of Masons , and , if he might hope that his presidency that
day might hereafter be spoken of with gratitude , it would be the highest reward he could possibly aspire to ,, He thanked the noble lord and Brother for the courtesy with w hieh he had introduced his name , and acknowledged gratefully the cordiality with which it had been received . They would , he assured them , he deeply engraven on his memory , - and , on the part of those who Would succeed him at home , lie need not say that it would be a fiict never to be forgotten . ( Applause . )
The Worshipful Master then gave " The Visitors , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , referring to the deep obligation conferred upon Masonry by the noble Brother , in the course he had taken on certain difficult questions submitted to the Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) Without intending censure upon the dais of Grand Lodge , he should not be deterred from expressing his
admiration of one who had boldly announced his determination to take a straightforward course . The representation of provinces had never been satisfactory ( hear ); and he called upon all those whose position entitled them to admission to Grand Lodge , if not to co-operate with Lord Carnarvon , at least to put no obstacle in his way , ( Hear . ) He had no doubt their noble Brother had some
scheme for removing or , at all events , lessening present difficulties . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon said he was sure he should speak the feelings of all around him when he said he should not lightly forget what he had witnessed tonight . He felt deeply the kind way in which his health had been received ; but though it was true he was enjoying their hospitality as a visitor , at the same time he was no stranger amongst them . ( Hear . ) To the West of England he was attached by the strong ties of property , and by the yet stronger ties of early and
happy associations . He was no stranger , either , to the Masons of Bath ; it was not the first time he had partaken of their hospitality—he hoped it would not be the last . ( Cheers . ) And he had not only come down with pleasure because the West of England had attractions for him , but because he was glad to bear his share on an occasion like the present , with which he most entirely sympathized . When he was here some twelve months since—he spoke with all frankness—he had been pained by much that he had seen and heard here . It was evident that a dark shadow had fallen upon Masonry in this town . With great zeal and earnestness it was
evident that a cold phantom of mistrust and reserve had glided in between the Brethren , where there should have been the cordial sympathy of brotherhood . But he rejoiced to see now that the dark vapour of night had roiled away , and left all bright , glowing , and . sunny . That was the picture they now presented to the Craft . He hoped that it would not be thrown away upon them , but that it might be the first of a long succession of triumphs that would illustrate the legitimate operations of this ancient Order . ( Cheers . ) It was true that there had been and were other differences in the Craft , but he was free to say he did not dread these manifesta-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial
though his experience had not been unattended with difficulties , yet , upon a review of tbe past , he could sincerely say that the blessings greatly overweighed the difficulties and anxieties that had attended it . So much for Masonry . In the other capacity to which his lordship had been pleased to refer , that of chief magistrate , it was almost inevitable that he must have differed from many , but he had at the outset laid down a line of conduct for himself that , however strong
might be the difference between him and others , he felt satisfied would obtain for him the approbation of upright and right thinking men . In regard to his position on the present occasion , if he had honestly represented the opinions of those who formed the United Lodges , he should be most happy . It was not often that of three bodies one mouth could utter their common expressions . And whatever might be his position in Masonry , and whatever honours he might obtain as chief magistrate of this ancient , and he might also truly add , this great modern city , he
did say this , that if the O . A . O . T . U . granted to him an extended period of life , there was nothing to which he should look back with more unfeigned . pleasure or more' solid satisfaction , than to the recollection of the proceedings of this very happy day . ( Cheers . ) To have presided at a meeting of the Masonic Craft containing representatives of all classes of society was an honour that no man could lightly value . He trusted that what had occurred-to-day might be for the benefit of future generations of Masons , and , if he might hope that his presidency that
day might hereafter be spoken of with gratitude , it would be the highest reward he could possibly aspire to ,, He thanked the noble lord and Brother for the courtesy with w hieh he had introduced his name , and acknowledged gratefully the cordiality with which it had been received . They would , he assured them , he deeply engraven on his memory , - and , on the part of those who Would succeed him at home , lie need not say that it would be a fiict never to be forgotten . ( Applause . )
The Worshipful Master then gave " The Visitors , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , referring to the deep obligation conferred upon Masonry by the noble Brother , in the course he had taken on certain difficult questions submitted to the Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) Without intending censure upon the dais of Grand Lodge , he should not be deterred from expressing his
admiration of one who had boldly announced his determination to take a straightforward course . The representation of provinces had never been satisfactory ( hear ); and he called upon all those whose position entitled them to admission to Grand Lodge , if not to co-operate with Lord Carnarvon , at least to put no obstacle in his way , ( Hear . ) He had no doubt their noble Brother had some
scheme for removing or , at all events , lessening present difficulties . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon said he was sure he should speak the feelings of all around him when he said he should not lightly forget what he had witnessed tonight . He felt deeply the kind way in which his health had been received ; but though it was true he was enjoying their hospitality as a visitor , at the same time he was no stranger amongst them . ( Hear . ) To the West of England he was attached by the strong ties of property , and by the yet stronger ties of early and
happy associations . He was no stranger , either , to the Masons of Bath ; it was not the first time he had partaken of their hospitality—he hoped it would not be the last . ( Cheers . ) And he had not only come down with pleasure because the West of England had attractions for him , but because he was glad to bear his share on an occasion like the present , with which he most entirely sympathized . When he was here some twelve months since—he spoke with all frankness—he had been pained by much that he had seen and heard here . It was evident that a dark shadow had fallen upon Masonry in this town . With great zeal and earnestness it was
evident that a cold phantom of mistrust and reserve had glided in between the Brethren , where there should have been the cordial sympathy of brotherhood . But he rejoiced to see now that the dark vapour of night had roiled away , and left all bright , glowing , and . sunny . That was the picture they now presented to the Craft . He hoped that it would not be thrown away upon them , but that it might be the first of a long succession of triumphs that would illustrate the legitimate operations of this ancient Order . ( Cheers . ) It was true that there had been and were other differences in the Craft , but he was free to say he did not dread these manifesta-