Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ameeica.
" Nor is this all . In the course of your brief administration you have referred to this consummation as one of the proudest events of your life ; how deeply , then , must we feel that after ten years separation we meet again ! " Brothers , we bid you welcome , henceforth to be constant and true members of this Grand Lodge , and / as you , M . W . Sir , made a Masonic allusion on closing , I will also close" Avith a wish , although not strictly Masonic ^ and that is—may Freemasonry in the State of Nevv York remain one anoTlndivisible . ,, ( Great applause . )
A Brother : — " I wish to be out of order for once , and I call for three hearty cheers for the consummation of the Union . " Three cheers Avere _ given with a will ; three more Avere called for and given , as were three more and a tiger , at the close of which , and while the Grand Lodge was still reverberating to the joyful shouts , the Grand Master said quietly , "I think the Grand Lodge is out of order . " ( Great laughter . )
Congratulations were then given in brief and eloquent speeches by the representatives of the Grand Orients of France , Venezuela , and Peru , and the Grand Lodges of Quebec , Minnesota , Louisiana , California , Saxqny , Alabama , Wisconsin , Missouri , Oregon , & c , & c , & c . The Right Worshipful and Rev . Grand Chaplain , the venerable Salem Town , LL . D ., being loudly called on , arose , bending under the weight of years , and in a voice of deep feeling spoke as follows ' : —
"M . W . Grand Master and Brothers—It is utterly impossible for me to give utterance to the feelings of my heart on this occasion . I have laboured for years to bring about a union of the Fraternity of our State . I have witnessed all its differences and difficulties since 1800 , and I rejoice at the result of this day ' s labour . Oh ! it seems to me as if I could now depart in peace , having witnessed that for which I have anxiously looked for years past . ( Subdued applause . ) During the time these negociations were going forward , I trembled and feared for
the result , and I implored the Divine assistance that the Supreme Grand Master would cause the hearts of the Brethren to commingle together as drops of water . ? Tis done I Oh 1 may it continue , and may the blessing of God rest upon us , and I believe it will . ( Subdued exclamations of assent . ) And Oh ! may Ave realize the beauty of that true Masonic sentence , ' Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity / Here I stand , an old man and an old Mason , and I pray God that I may never witness another division in our State . "
As the venerable Brother sat down , a deep but subdued " Amen" burst from all present , and for some moments a solemn silence reigned . The Grand Master then said : — "We have heard a good deal from the Grand Officers , Ave should now like to hear from some of their constituents , and as I see
near me Bro . Rynclers , I would call upon him for his opinions . " The W . Bro . Rynders then came forward . He said he was somewhat taken by surprise at being called upon to speak . There were many present , who , perhaps , knew him uoav for the first time as a Mason , but he first became one thirty years since . He Avas not a young man in Masonry , for not more than one in ten , or in fifteen , had belonged to the Order so long as he had ; he hated dissensions and disunions , he was not in any Lodge when these difficulties occurred , but although
he Avished to join every year , he Avas precluded from doing so , hoping that these difficulties would be finally adjusted . But he hoped against hope , and at length joined the little band Avhich was in the minority , and Avhose members were plodding on Avith cheerful hearts , aided and sustained by the three great principles of Masonry—" Faith , Hope , and Charity "—which he would take in their reverse order : He had charity to believe that no insult or indignity was intended by this Grand Lodge to the little band with whom he associated ; he had hope—and strong
hope—that the time Avas not far distant Avhen the rays of peace avouH spread over all the Fraternity of the State of New York , and that they would compiingle to gether as a band of united Brothers ; and he had faith in the integrity and honour of the body , that the articles of union would be devoid of dishonour or degradation . The W . Bro . continued at some length , and concluded by saying : —He was not used to the melting mood , but Avhen that old Mason and servant of the Great Architect of the Universe had spoken to-day , he could not refrain from letting fall a tear of heartfelt joy and gratitude at the result .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ameeica.
" Nor is this all . In the course of your brief administration you have referred to this consummation as one of the proudest events of your life ; how deeply , then , must we feel that after ten years separation we meet again ! " Brothers , we bid you welcome , henceforth to be constant and true members of this Grand Lodge , and / as you , M . W . Sir , made a Masonic allusion on closing , I will also close" Avith a wish , although not strictly Masonic ^ and that is—may Freemasonry in the State of Nevv York remain one anoTlndivisible . ,, ( Great applause . )
A Brother : — " I wish to be out of order for once , and I call for three hearty cheers for the consummation of the Union . " Three cheers Avere _ given with a will ; three more Avere called for and given , as were three more and a tiger , at the close of which , and while the Grand Lodge was still reverberating to the joyful shouts , the Grand Master said quietly , "I think the Grand Lodge is out of order . " ( Great laughter . )
Congratulations were then given in brief and eloquent speeches by the representatives of the Grand Orients of France , Venezuela , and Peru , and the Grand Lodges of Quebec , Minnesota , Louisiana , California , Saxqny , Alabama , Wisconsin , Missouri , Oregon , & c , & c , & c . The Right Worshipful and Rev . Grand Chaplain , the venerable Salem Town , LL . D ., being loudly called on , arose , bending under the weight of years , and in a voice of deep feeling spoke as follows ' : —
"M . W . Grand Master and Brothers—It is utterly impossible for me to give utterance to the feelings of my heart on this occasion . I have laboured for years to bring about a union of the Fraternity of our State . I have witnessed all its differences and difficulties since 1800 , and I rejoice at the result of this day ' s labour . Oh ! it seems to me as if I could now depart in peace , having witnessed that for which I have anxiously looked for years past . ( Subdued applause . ) During the time these negociations were going forward , I trembled and feared for
the result , and I implored the Divine assistance that the Supreme Grand Master would cause the hearts of the Brethren to commingle together as drops of water . ? Tis done I Oh 1 may it continue , and may the blessing of God rest upon us , and I believe it will . ( Subdued exclamations of assent . ) And Oh ! may Ave realize the beauty of that true Masonic sentence , ' Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity / Here I stand , an old man and an old Mason , and I pray God that I may never witness another division in our State . "
As the venerable Brother sat down , a deep but subdued " Amen" burst from all present , and for some moments a solemn silence reigned . The Grand Master then said : — "We have heard a good deal from the Grand Officers , Ave should now like to hear from some of their constituents , and as I see
near me Bro . Rynclers , I would call upon him for his opinions . " The W . Bro . Rynders then came forward . He said he was somewhat taken by surprise at being called upon to speak . There were many present , who , perhaps , knew him uoav for the first time as a Mason , but he first became one thirty years since . He Avas not a young man in Masonry , for not more than one in ten , or in fifteen , had belonged to the Order so long as he had ; he hated dissensions and disunions , he was not in any Lodge when these difficulties occurred , but although
he Avished to join every year , he Avas precluded from doing so , hoping that these difficulties would be finally adjusted . But he hoped against hope , and at length joined the little band Avhich was in the minority , and Avhose members were plodding on Avith cheerful hearts , aided and sustained by the three great principles of Masonry—" Faith , Hope , and Charity "—which he would take in their reverse order : He had charity to believe that no insult or indignity was intended by this Grand Lodge to the little band with whom he associated ; he had hope—and strong
hope—that the time Avas not far distant Avhen the rays of peace avouH spread over all the Fraternity of the State of New York , and that they would compiingle to gether as a band of united Brothers ; and he had faith in the integrity and honour of the body , that the articles of union would be devoid of dishonour or degradation . The W . Bro . continued at some length , and concluded by saying : —He was not used to the melting mood , but Avhen that old Mason and servant of the Great Architect of the Universe had spoken to-day , he could not refrain from letting fall a tear of heartfelt joy and gratitude at the result .