History Of Freemasonry In Cornwall.

batim . - " Brethren , on quitting the chair at this period I am allowed by the Constitutions of our Order to give a charge , and in the first place I cannot help expressing my sincerest thanks to you , my worthy and respected brethren , for your

kiud attention to all my recommendations , your ready obedience to all my official directions , and your candid indulgence to all my humble , but wellmeant endeavours to promote the happiness , the prosperity , and order of this respectable lodge .

Allow me also to express the satisfaction I feel in surrendering the distinguished office you honoured me with into the hands of my Senior Warden , Bro . M . Brougham , whose general character , zeal , and activity in the cause of Masonry qualify him

in a high degree for the situation . Providence haviug placed me in such a sphere of life as to afford but little time for speculation , I cannot pretend to have made mankind my particular study , yet this I have observed , that curiosity is one of the most prevailing passions of the human

breast , lhe mind of man is kept in a perpetual thirst after knowledge , nor can he bear to be ignorant of what he thinks others know . Anything secret or new immediately excites an uneasy sensation , and becmes the proper fuel of

curiosity , which will be found stronger or weaker in proportion to the time and opportunity that individuals have for indulo-ino' it . "It is observable , further , that when this passion is excited , and not instantly gratified , that instead

of waiting for better intelligence , and using the proper means of removing the darkness that envelopes the object of it , we precipitately form ideas which are generally in the extremes . If the object promotes pleasure or advantage , we then

load it with commendations , if it appears in the opposite view , or if we are ignorant of it , Ave then absurdly , as "well as disgenuously , condemn and pretend , at least , to despise it . This , my brethren , has been the fate of the most valuable institution in the world , Christianity excepted , I mean Freemasonry !

" Ihose who are acquainted with the nature and design of it cannot , if they have good hearts , but admire and espouse it ; and if those who are in the dark , or whose minds are disposed to evil , should slight , or speak disrespectfully of it , it certainly is

no disgrace , for none who believe in the Divine origin of the Sacred Volume , and are influenced by a spirit of humanity , friendship , and benevolence , can with the least propriety object to our

ancient and venerable Institution . For my own part , ever since I have had the honour to be enrolled iu the list of Masons , as I knew it was my duty , so I have made it my business to become acquainted with the principles on which our glorious

superstructure is founded , and the treasure constantly opening to my view has proved a full and satisfactory reward for all my labours . " Conscious that the same pleasure would attend others iu the same pursuits , myself and a few others

sincerely wished for the improvement of our lodge , but as wishes without endeavours are not the means of accomplishment , we became , therefore , actively concerned for the completion of so valuable a . design ; and you , only you who are Masons in

heart , can form the least idea of the joy we feltwhen we found ourselves fired with an equal ardour for the prosperity of Masonry , and with equal alacrity and pleasure embarked in the noble design , and , like true Craftsmen , laboured iu this

longwished for fabric , the strength of whose basis , thebeauty of whose symmetry , the order of whose pasts , have rendered it the admiration of some , the model of others , and the delight of ourselves .

" You will , therefore , permit me to congratulate the lodge on the success that has attended our united labours for the honour of the Craft in this town . "Though I am apprehensive I have already

trespassed on your patience , yet if I mi ght be indulged , I would humbly lay before you a few reflections adapted to the business of the day , which being the effusions of a heart truly Masonic , will , it is hoped , be received with candour by

you . " Every association of men , as well as this of Freemasons , must for the sake of order and harmony be regulated by certain laws , and for that purpose proper officers must be appointed , and

empowered to carry those laws into execution , topreserve a degree of uniformity , and at least torestrain any irregularity that might render such association inconsistent . " This thought will suggest to you that those

who are qualified to preside as officers in a lodge will not be elated with that honour , but , losing sight of it , will have only iu view the service which , their office demands . Their reproofs will be dictated by friendship , softened by candour , and enforced with mildness and affection , in the whole of their department they will preserve a degree of