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Metropolitan
before me wou , ld be the most pleasing tribute we could offer to a domesticated man , like Bro . Aldrich . ( Hear , hear . ) This has been supposed , and taken for granted , for we could not conceive that any testimonial could be more acceptable to one who had done so much to promote the domestic comforts of others—and that it would be the more acceptable as the goodwill offering of his Brethren , for , with the exception of £ 5 , nothing has been taken from the Lodge funds for the purchase of so large a testimonial . Bro . Aldrich , I have now to ask you to accept this
pleasing testimonial of the regard of your Brethren . I hope it will adorn your homestead for many years of your career in life ; I trust that when in after years you view this testimonial , you will bear in your remembrance the bright moments of your association with the Brethren of this Lodge . I do feel that thesei observations are indeed very imperfect , but I do trust that the last wave of your Masonic hand will commit the memorial of our respect and regard for you to those whom you will leave to inherit the rich legacy of your Masonic virtues . ( Great applause . )
Bro . Aldrich , who appeared greatly overcome by emotion , replied , and said < e W . M ., Bro . Past Masters * and Brethren , — -Permit me to express to you my deep sense of gratitude fon the distinguished honour you have conferred upon me this evening , by presenting me with this handsome testimonial , in token of your approval of my conduct during my year of office as W . M . of this Lodge , and as an approval of the interest I have taken , and the humble exertions I have made , for the good of the Craft generally , and of the Benevolent Institution in particular . Little did I think , when I joined this Lodge , in 1851 , that such high
honour awaited me , nor could I have thought such honour possible / In speaking pf my conduct as your W . M ., let me say that I discharged my duties to the best of my ability , and that the interest of the Lodge was my only aim . I was greatly assisted by the advice and assistance of the Bast Masters , and at all times I received the hearty co-operation of the members . That my efforts have been successful I think this highly respectable assembly of Brethren fully testifies—and here
allow me to congratulate the Lodge , for I am gratified myself , on the honour that Bro . W . H . White , P . G . Sec , has conferred upon us by his presence this evening ; this is the first time that worthy and highly esteemed Brother has visited usmay it not be the last!—for wherever that exhalted Brother visits , an additional lustre is added to the assemblage . As to the Benevolent Institution , I certainly have felt a lively interest in its behalf , and have exerted my humble abilities in extending its usefulness : and if Brethren srenerallv would onlv lend a heloinflr extending its usefulness ; and if Brethren generally would only lend a helping
hand in this great and good work every poor Brother and every widow would speedily be admitted to its . benefits , when the remaining portion of their days would be spent in comparative comfort , but without which I am afraid many and manifold will be their privations . To the subscribers to this splendid tea-service I tender my hearty thanks , and I feel myself under deep obligations to our ^ esteemed friend and Bro . Dr . King , P . M . ; the sentiments with which he has presented this testimonial will never be effaced from my memory . I trust the
spectacle of this evening will not be lost on our Brethren who are young in Preemasonry , and I would remind them that the like honour is within their attainment , but awaits their proficiency in the principles and ceremonies of the several Degrees of the Order to which they have the honour to belong . Brethren , I have no child of my own to whom I can bequeath this memento of your regard , but there is a Lewis , who is near and dear to me , to whom doubtless I shall transmit
it , and , with the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , I trust the brightness of this testimonial will not be tarnished with dishonour . I trust the Almighty Architect will be pleased to bless you and me with many years of health and happiness , and that when he shall be pleased to summon us from this sublunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . The teapot bore the following inscription : —
" Presented to Bro . Samuel Aldrich , P . M ., by the members of the Saint John ' s Lodge , No . 196 , on his retirement from the chair , in token of his distinguished services and ability in conducting the affairs of the Lodge during his year of office ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Metropolitan
before me wou , ld be the most pleasing tribute we could offer to a domesticated man , like Bro . Aldrich . ( Hear , hear . ) This has been supposed , and taken for granted , for we could not conceive that any testimonial could be more acceptable to one who had done so much to promote the domestic comforts of others—and that it would be the more acceptable as the goodwill offering of his Brethren , for , with the exception of £ 5 , nothing has been taken from the Lodge funds for the purchase of so large a testimonial . Bro . Aldrich , I have now to ask you to accept this
pleasing testimonial of the regard of your Brethren . I hope it will adorn your homestead for many years of your career in life ; I trust that when in after years you view this testimonial , you will bear in your remembrance the bright moments of your association with the Brethren of this Lodge . I do feel that thesei observations are indeed very imperfect , but I do trust that the last wave of your Masonic hand will commit the memorial of our respect and regard for you to those whom you will leave to inherit the rich legacy of your Masonic virtues . ( Great applause . )
Bro . Aldrich , who appeared greatly overcome by emotion , replied , and said < e W . M ., Bro . Past Masters * and Brethren , — -Permit me to express to you my deep sense of gratitude fon the distinguished honour you have conferred upon me this evening , by presenting me with this handsome testimonial , in token of your approval of my conduct during my year of office as W . M . of this Lodge , and as an approval of the interest I have taken , and the humble exertions I have made , for the good of the Craft generally , and of the Benevolent Institution in particular . Little did I think , when I joined this Lodge , in 1851 , that such high
honour awaited me , nor could I have thought such honour possible / In speaking pf my conduct as your W . M ., let me say that I discharged my duties to the best of my ability , and that the interest of the Lodge was my only aim . I was greatly assisted by the advice and assistance of the Bast Masters , and at all times I received the hearty co-operation of the members . That my efforts have been successful I think this highly respectable assembly of Brethren fully testifies—and here
allow me to congratulate the Lodge , for I am gratified myself , on the honour that Bro . W . H . White , P . G . Sec , has conferred upon us by his presence this evening ; this is the first time that worthy and highly esteemed Brother has visited usmay it not be the last!—for wherever that exhalted Brother visits , an additional lustre is added to the assemblage . As to the Benevolent Institution , I certainly have felt a lively interest in its behalf , and have exerted my humble abilities in extending its usefulness : and if Brethren srenerallv would onlv lend a heloinflr extending its usefulness ; and if Brethren generally would only lend a helping
hand in this great and good work every poor Brother and every widow would speedily be admitted to its . benefits , when the remaining portion of their days would be spent in comparative comfort , but without which I am afraid many and manifold will be their privations . To the subscribers to this splendid tea-service I tender my hearty thanks , and I feel myself under deep obligations to our ^ esteemed friend and Bro . Dr . King , P . M . ; the sentiments with which he has presented this testimonial will never be effaced from my memory . I trust the
spectacle of this evening will not be lost on our Brethren who are young in Preemasonry , and I would remind them that the like honour is within their attainment , but awaits their proficiency in the principles and ceremonies of the several Degrees of the Order to which they have the honour to belong . Brethren , I have no child of my own to whom I can bequeath this memento of your regard , but there is a Lewis , who is near and dear to me , to whom doubtless I shall transmit
it , and , with the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , I trust the brightness of this testimonial will not be tarnished with dishonour . I trust the Almighty Architect will be pleased to bless you and me with many years of health and happiness , and that when he shall be pleased to summon us from this sublunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . The teapot bore the following inscription : —
" Presented to Bro . Samuel Aldrich , P . M ., by the members of the Saint John ' s Lodge , No . 196 , on his retirement from the chair , in token of his distinguished services and ability in conducting the affairs of the Lodge during his year of office ;