Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
demoniac ingenuity and sanguinary atrocity ; on the otheiv tenderly nurtured Englishwomen arid their innocent children massacred by these monsters in human form , under circumstances of the most revolting character which chill the blood with horror , and our gallant soldiers betrayed and shot down by the miscreants in whose fidelity and obedience they had theretofore unhappily reposed a too generous confidence . Yet , in the midst ^ of this almost overwhelming grief , we derive consolation from the heroism j valour , fortitude , and endurance displayed by our invincible soldiers and their magnanimity in the hour of victory . They have thus
won imperishable renown and added another page to the annals of their glorious achievments . The events referred to have taken place where many Freemasons were congregated , and antongst the suffering survivors of the gentle sex many may doubtless mourn the loss of our Brethren of the mystic tie . Our gallant Brethren , who have won a place in the temple of fame , will also , no doubt , include amongst them many bereft of their tenderest and dearest connections , and deprived of their material wealth . May we respond to the appeals on their behalf and have opportunities to evince the deep sympathy with which their misfortunes inspire us . " v
The toast was drunk , to the surviving Brethren with the honours , and to the fallen in silence , accompanied with exhibition of the deepest feeling . Captain Clarke , Prov . G . M ., said , " Worshipful Master and Brethren , as the only member of the military profession able to attend upon this auspicious occasion , I readily comply with your desire to respond to a toast in which my warmest sympathies are engaged . My parliamentary duties and official engagements have
prevented me sharing in the toils and dangers incident to the military profession to which I belong ; but I fully support those sentiments of admiration you have so warmly expressed at the gallant acts performed by the army in India , and share the sorrows you feel for the victims of the infamous sepoys . It is only just to add , that upon this branch of the service her Majesty and the people may ever firmly rely , and the British soldier will always respond to the call of duty . To oftr surviving Brethren in the army our warmest fraternal
regard must be given , and to the fallen the tears of regret , for the principles of our Order will only more forcibly illustrate the best qualities of a soldier . I trust and fully believe we shall practically display our deep sympathy for the sufferers in India by the efforts to be made on their behalf . The W . M . then proposed , in laudatory terms and with appropriate allusions to the literary talents of Bros . Akhurst and Bright " The Fourth Estate—the press , and colonial literature . "
Bro . Akhurst being unavoidably absent , Bro . Bright apologised for the same and responded to the toast . He spoke of his being only newly-initiated ; but Masonic duties and privileges were comprehended and appreciated by him . He dwelt on the festive scene beforq him , his anticipation of the success of the Combermere Lodge , and the beauties of literary Freemasonry , concluding with his thanks for the honour conferred on the institution of which he was but an unimportant member . The next toast " The Most Worshipful Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , " was proposed and received with the warmest demonstrations of fraternal feeling , and followed with the grand honours .
The W . M . then said , — " Brethren , the toast I am now about to propose needs no words from me to commend it to your notice . It is in honour of one whose high character whilst a minister of the Crown , then and now enjoying the confidence of the people of . Victoria , has won our esteem and inspired us with the warmest fraternal attachment . In his more recent position , as the provincial head of our Order , he has shown his high appreciation of its principles , his
anxious desire to promulgate them , and his deep solicitude for the exercise of its beneficence , and , above all , that we should in the admission of candidates on the one hand , and in our general deportment on the other , exercise such moral supervision , and adhere to such professions as may enable us to adorn our Order , and emulate those high moral qualities , which ; whether in public or private , distinguish our R . W . Prov . G . M . as a member of the legislature , as a private gentleman , or , as a zealous Freemason , Supported as I am , right and left , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
demoniac ingenuity and sanguinary atrocity ; on the otheiv tenderly nurtured Englishwomen arid their innocent children massacred by these monsters in human form , under circumstances of the most revolting character which chill the blood with horror , and our gallant soldiers betrayed and shot down by the miscreants in whose fidelity and obedience they had theretofore unhappily reposed a too generous confidence . Yet , in the midst ^ of this almost overwhelming grief , we derive consolation from the heroism j valour , fortitude , and endurance displayed by our invincible soldiers and their magnanimity in the hour of victory . They have thus
won imperishable renown and added another page to the annals of their glorious achievments . The events referred to have taken place where many Freemasons were congregated , and antongst the suffering survivors of the gentle sex many may doubtless mourn the loss of our Brethren of the mystic tie . Our gallant Brethren , who have won a place in the temple of fame , will also , no doubt , include amongst them many bereft of their tenderest and dearest connections , and deprived of their material wealth . May we respond to the appeals on their behalf and have opportunities to evince the deep sympathy with which their misfortunes inspire us . " v
The toast was drunk , to the surviving Brethren with the honours , and to the fallen in silence , accompanied with exhibition of the deepest feeling . Captain Clarke , Prov . G . M ., said , " Worshipful Master and Brethren , as the only member of the military profession able to attend upon this auspicious occasion , I readily comply with your desire to respond to a toast in which my warmest sympathies are engaged . My parliamentary duties and official engagements have
prevented me sharing in the toils and dangers incident to the military profession to which I belong ; but I fully support those sentiments of admiration you have so warmly expressed at the gallant acts performed by the army in India , and share the sorrows you feel for the victims of the infamous sepoys . It is only just to add , that upon this branch of the service her Majesty and the people may ever firmly rely , and the British soldier will always respond to the call of duty . To oftr surviving Brethren in the army our warmest fraternal
regard must be given , and to the fallen the tears of regret , for the principles of our Order will only more forcibly illustrate the best qualities of a soldier . I trust and fully believe we shall practically display our deep sympathy for the sufferers in India by the efforts to be made on their behalf . The W . M . then proposed , in laudatory terms and with appropriate allusions to the literary talents of Bros . Akhurst and Bright " The Fourth Estate—the press , and colonial literature . "
Bro . Akhurst being unavoidably absent , Bro . Bright apologised for the same and responded to the toast . He spoke of his being only newly-initiated ; but Masonic duties and privileges were comprehended and appreciated by him . He dwelt on the festive scene beforq him , his anticipation of the success of the Combermere Lodge , and the beauties of literary Freemasonry , concluding with his thanks for the honour conferred on the institution of which he was but an unimportant member . The next toast " The Most Worshipful Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , " was proposed and received with the warmest demonstrations of fraternal feeling , and followed with the grand honours .
The W . M . then said , — " Brethren , the toast I am now about to propose needs no words from me to commend it to your notice . It is in honour of one whose high character whilst a minister of the Crown , then and now enjoying the confidence of the people of . Victoria , has won our esteem and inspired us with the warmest fraternal attachment . In his more recent position , as the provincial head of our Order , he has shown his high appreciation of its principles , his
anxious desire to promulgate them , and his deep solicitude for the exercise of its beneficence , and , above all , that we should in the admission of candidates on the one hand , and in our general deportment on the other , exercise such moral supervision , and adhere to such professions as may enable us to adorn our Order , and emulate those high moral qualities , which ; whether in public or private , distinguish our R . W . Prov . G . M . as a member of the legislature , as a private gentleman , or , as a zealous Freemason , Supported as I am , right and left , and