Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
the R . W . Bro , Captain Clarke , ! not merely as a man of science , but as a Brother who had been raised to the head of the Order , and who had exemplified the virtues of the true Mason in his whole career . The Chairman concluded by briefly intimating that he was sure the departure of their Provincial Grand Master would be regarded with sincere regret by the entire Order , and all would earnestly look for his speedy return . The toast was drunk with honours .
Bro . Captain Clarke , Prov . G . M ., returned thanks for the kindness with which his name had been received . He spoke from the fulness of his heart , and , indeed , could hardly utter his feelings towards his brother Masons and fellow colonists who had declared their esteem for him so warmly . He esteemed the honour of his position the more highly because'he had not been raised to the position he held as the nomine _ e of an English Grand Master , but from the free choice of his Brethren in the colony . He had sought by every means furnished by Freemasonry to
further the social welfare of the colony ; for he had early detected in the system not only the incipient principles but the plan of the entire fabric of a renewed and perfect social state . He refers state of the colony at the period of his first connection with it , and he had then felt that the germs of this Order were calculated to effect great social good . There were men , he was sorry to say , who regarded this Order as a gross delusion ; nay , some high in position , condemned it as a grand fallacy ; but he would tell such individuals that they knew nothing of the matter ,
and they were the parties who laboured under the delusion . He had himself been twitted with indiscretion and folly in having identified himself with this Order , but he gloried inhis position as Mason , and his connection with so many brethren whom he highly esteemed . He anticipated the greatest advantage to the country from , the operation of Masonry , and in leaving the colony he felt the greatest confidence in leaving the interests of the Order in the hands of those who would henceforth fill the office of Grand Master . Referring to the project of
amalgamating the three constitutions , and forming one Grand Lodge , he did not think that the time had arrived for effecting that" object . He did not think that it would be beneficial to the interests of the Order -to form a Lodge independent of the parent Grand Lodges . He did not apprehend any mischief , as some seemed to do , from the rivalry of the three Constitutions . So far as his observation went , he found that the Grand Masters invariably consulted and co-operated with each other . He instanced the case of Canada in proof that separation was not advantageous , and he
expected that such arrangements in reference to fees and other matters , could be made with the parent Grand Lodges as would obviate some of the chief objections now entertained to a continuance of the connection . He therefore , as his last request , asked that any movement toward Reparation might be stayed until the representations from this country had gone home , and the opinions of the Grand Masters there ascertained . He was going home , as one who understood the position of the Lodges in the colony , and lie pledged himself that as their representative , he would not fail to attend to their interests . In referring to his departure , he
declared that his future was a simple blank . He could not say where his lot might be cast . As a soldier at the command of his Queen and country , he might in a few months be in Canada or in India , and therefore he would not have them calculate upon his return , but would have them fill the offices he had held without delay . He regretted his departure from Australia , and he trusted that circumstances would enable him at some future tinae to return ; but whether his absence extended over five years or ten years , he trusted that his career would always be such as to do honour to his Brethren , and meet their entire approval and condence . Captain Clarke resumed his seat amid general and , continued applause .
Bro . Captain Clarke proposed the next toast , " The healthr ^ of the Eton . JW C . Haines , Prov . ' Grand Master Elect , ( Scot . Constit . ) , " and coupled with that "the health of tho Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the chairman of the evening . ' The chairman , in returning thanks for the toast , briefly expressed his views of the cjuestion of separation andjndepondence , and deprecated , any unconstitutional action towards that end . , J The remaining toawts were then given in the undermentioned order : — "John Thomas Smith , Esq ., M . L . A ., Mayor of Melbourne , R , W . Prov . Grand Master
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
the R . W . Bro , Captain Clarke , ! not merely as a man of science , but as a Brother who had been raised to the head of the Order , and who had exemplified the virtues of the true Mason in his whole career . The Chairman concluded by briefly intimating that he was sure the departure of their Provincial Grand Master would be regarded with sincere regret by the entire Order , and all would earnestly look for his speedy return . The toast was drunk with honours .
Bro . Captain Clarke , Prov . G . M ., returned thanks for the kindness with which his name had been received . He spoke from the fulness of his heart , and , indeed , could hardly utter his feelings towards his brother Masons and fellow colonists who had declared their esteem for him so warmly . He esteemed the honour of his position the more highly because'he had not been raised to the position he held as the nomine _ e of an English Grand Master , but from the free choice of his Brethren in the colony . He had sought by every means furnished by Freemasonry to
further the social welfare of the colony ; for he had early detected in the system not only the incipient principles but the plan of the entire fabric of a renewed and perfect social state . He refers state of the colony at the period of his first connection with it , and he had then felt that the germs of this Order were calculated to effect great social good . There were men , he was sorry to say , who regarded this Order as a gross delusion ; nay , some high in position , condemned it as a grand fallacy ; but he would tell such individuals that they knew nothing of the matter ,
and they were the parties who laboured under the delusion . He had himself been twitted with indiscretion and folly in having identified himself with this Order , but he gloried inhis position as Mason , and his connection with so many brethren whom he highly esteemed . He anticipated the greatest advantage to the country from , the operation of Masonry , and in leaving the colony he felt the greatest confidence in leaving the interests of the Order in the hands of those who would henceforth fill the office of Grand Master . Referring to the project of
amalgamating the three constitutions , and forming one Grand Lodge , he did not think that the time had arrived for effecting that" object . He did not think that it would be beneficial to the interests of the Order -to form a Lodge independent of the parent Grand Lodges . He did not apprehend any mischief , as some seemed to do , from the rivalry of the three Constitutions . So far as his observation went , he found that the Grand Masters invariably consulted and co-operated with each other . He instanced the case of Canada in proof that separation was not advantageous , and he
expected that such arrangements in reference to fees and other matters , could be made with the parent Grand Lodges as would obviate some of the chief objections now entertained to a continuance of the connection . He therefore , as his last request , asked that any movement toward Reparation might be stayed until the representations from this country had gone home , and the opinions of the Grand Masters there ascertained . He was going home , as one who understood the position of the Lodges in the colony , and lie pledged himself that as their representative , he would not fail to attend to their interests . In referring to his departure , he
declared that his future was a simple blank . He could not say where his lot might be cast . As a soldier at the command of his Queen and country , he might in a few months be in Canada or in India , and therefore he would not have them calculate upon his return , but would have them fill the offices he had held without delay . He regretted his departure from Australia , and he trusted that circumstances would enable him at some future tinae to return ; but whether his absence extended over five years or ten years , he trusted that his career would always be such as to do honour to his Brethren , and meet their entire approval and condence . Captain Clarke resumed his seat amid general and , continued applause .
Bro . Captain Clarke proposed the next toast , " The healthr ^ of the Eton . JW C . Haines , Prov . ' Grand Master Elect , ( Scot . Constit . ) , " and coupled with that "the health of tho Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the chairman of the evening . ' The chairman , in returning thanks for the toast , briefly expressed his views of the cjuestion of separation andjndepondence , and deprecated , any unconstitutional action towards that end . , J The remaining toawts were then given in the undermentioned order : — "John Thomas Smith , Esq ., M . L . A ., Mayor of Melbourne , R , W . Prov . Grand Master