Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
this have their own influence to stimulate each and all of us to follow and imitate that which is noble and good ; and it is gratifying to reflect that we all conceive an exalted consideration of the object of this meeting , when wo cease from onr daily toil and bustle , simultaneously animated with the same desire to honour worth and reward virtue . Bro . McMurdo , seeing that we are met here to-night to demonstrate tbe esteem in which are heldbpresenting yon with this
you , y merited token , consisting of a purse of sovereigns , 1 can assure you that the various subscribers to this gift have been actuated to do so from a due regard and high appreciation of your labours amongst them in the capacity of Right AA orshipful Master , and the polite , unassuming , and unpretending deportment which characterises you in your frequent conversations . It affords m 5 the highest deliht to be the medium of conveying to you this
g demonstration of friendship , the value of which is not in itself , but in tbe brotherly love and good feeling evinced in this peculiar manner , as a proof-that such friendship exists ; and it is hoped yon will accept of it in the same spirit in which it is given . In the name of the subscribers , may you live a long , honourable , and happy life along with your wife and family ;
may the results of your labours of love be crowned with success , and be all times duly appreciated ; may good men speak well of you , your friends love you , your neighbours respect you , and the fraternity admire , esteem , and remember with gratitude all the perseverance and earnestness exhibited in the discharge of the duties of the various and difficult offices which you have held , and the exemplary actions whicli you have performed amongst them . And now , brother , I feel highly gratified in
handing you this gift . Take it , and do with it whatsoever soemeth best for you to do . The health and prosperity of Bro . McMurdo was then drank with enthusiastic cheering . Bro . MCMURDO then rose , and in reply said—Mr . Chairman , ladies , and gentlemen , it is with feelings that I will not now even attempt to analyse that I rise to respond to the sentiments in which your worthy chairman has seen fit to flatter me . It
is true that we have been acquainted for many years ; and since that acquaintance has ripened into intimacy it has flowed ou uninterruptedly—is at the present time one of tho chief pleasures of life , in the continuance of which I look forward iu the hope that ultimately , perhaps , mutual benefit and instruction may arise therefrom ; in short ,
"I lo e him as a very brither . But , brethren , he has told you some things which , if I pass some of them over , I hope you will forgive me ; the fact is , that the praises of one ' s self is a delicate field to operate in , and I know you will appreciate my motive if I let the most of them remain in " statu quo . " But " e pluribus vmam , " he says be respects me for the tact and ability I display in imparting Masonic information . I was not aware , sir , till now that I was possessed of
cither of those characteristics ; but having the honour of occupying the position I now do in this lodge , I believe it incumbent on me to perform the duties pertaining to that position with all the poor ability I possess . None present know better than I do my shortcomings in this respect . True , I have endeavoured to inculcate the principles of our Order ( so long as I have hucl the honour of being your Master ) into all successful candidates for that honour ; and I must confess that I am put
to the blush to think that , while I am doing so , I should he so deficient in the practice of them myself . Still , brethren , I do my best to maintain intact the principles of an institution ¦ whose boundary is the circle of civilisation , whose principles are justice , morality , and virtue ; and , if antiquity is of any value , it is now the wonder of the world . It has seen the rise and downfall of Egypt , Babylon , Nineveh , and all the other nations
of antiquity . It went with the unhappy Israelite into bondage , -and solaced him as , with unstrung harp upon the willows , ho sat by Babel ' s stream . It witnessed the advent of Emanuel ; and when the disciple whom ho loved became , through the infirmity of age , unable to perform his active apostolic duties , he thought it eminently suited to his holy office to give his influence to tho extension of Freemasonry . But for tho
principles cf our institution , brethren , I could not have spoken so of its antiquity . The mysteries exercised by us are strictly in keeping with the purest tenets of our holy religion . Of all our characteristics charity stands prominent , in the train of whicli follows truth , prudence , fortitude , Sic . Any man not practising the above characteristics , and claiming to bo a Freemason , is unworthy of the name . Your chairman , brethren , has also referred to the position of this lodge ; aud this position , which
Scotland.
he denominates a ' high one , he attributes to me . _ I am sorry to say , sir , I cannot plead guilty to the charge , or , if it is the case , I am in ignorance of it , and consequently merit no praise ; and this the more so , as the good of the lodge was not my motive for becoming its Master ; the fact is , that since I ascended the first stop in the ladder of Masonry , now nearly eighteen years ago , I determined to be , if possible , Master of my mother lod . The Master of a Masonic lodge appeared to me
ge at that time ( and it has not yet lost all its charm ) something above the common lot of men , sitting like some enthroned magician surrounded by his familiars . To one he says go . and he goeth ; to another , do this , and he doeth it ; and no matter hy what spirit they are pervaded , by one wave of his magic wand all are restored to order and harmony again . AVell , I found that the object of my ambition was not to bo attained by negligence ,
and therefore became a regular attendant of lodge meetings , and at the first election after my initiation was elected to the office of Junior Steward . For a good number of years I filled the most of the subordinate offices in theloiVje , and was no less than four times on the list of candidates for Master , and was as often thrown over ; it was the fifth time before I gained the coveted honour . But I was not disheartened : like the ancient
Grecian who , when he was not elected one of the 100 representatives of the people , went home rejoicing that there were 100 better men in Greece than himself ; so I was glad to think that there were brethren in the lodge better qualified to fill the
honourable office of Master than your humble servant . I am now the twenty-third individual who has presided over this lodge . Of these thirteen have served one year , six two years , ono four years , one six years , and your humble servant is now serving his seventh year . This list , brethren , is headed by the lumo of W . F . Campbell , Esq ., of Shawfield , M . P ., and I fear that his mantle lias descended upon unworthy shoulders . But , brethren , my chief object in rising , and whicli I must now come
to , is to thank you , cordially thank you , for tho honour done me to-night . Most of you must be aware that this is not the first tiaie I have occupied the position I now do . I once before had to thank the brethren ot this lodge in a similar manner , when , as their Secretary , I received from the hands of their then Deputy Master another tangible token of their esteem . What I have done to merit such renewed tokens of regard at their hands , I know not ; but if anything were wanting to repay me
for any trouble I may have taken in connection with this lodge , I find it in many of the faces now before me , as it is with them that I have spent most of my social , and , iu some few cases , of intellectual intercourse , " when ( as our chairman expresses it ) we cease from our daily toil , " which I look upon as tbe brighter spots of my existence . Allow me again , brethren , before resuming my seat , to thank yon for tiie unmerited token of respect now handed me by our worthy chairman . I accept it , sir , in the same spirit in whicli it is given , but have nothing to give in return but my warmest wishes for the welfare of the inrlividnnl subscribers . To those brethren who have como from
a distance to honour us by their presence , I tender my warmest thanks , and I wish health , long life , and prospeiity to all worthy sons of old St . John's , Woodhall . May God bless her . The above reply called forth the toast , " The Woodhall Lodge . " The Chairman then proposed the Dalzell Lodge , coupled with the name of Brother Archibald King , R . W . M . of Dalzell . Bro . King replied . Song , toast , and sentiment were agreeably interspersed till after ten o ' clock , when the brethren with partners opened the ball , and kept " tripping it on the light fantastic toe" till an early hour , each and all of them enjoying an exceedingly happy evening .
Ireland.
IRELAND .
BELFAST . TEMPLE LODGE ( NO . 51 ) . —The members of this lodge met together on Tuesday , December 27 th , at four o ' clock , according to custom , to install officers , when Bros . Andrew C' arr was installed W . M . ; John Reid , P . M ., S . W . ; and Alexander Faulkner , P . M ., J . W . After the installation , the lodge was adjourned till the 28 thto advance candidates , and afterwards to sup
, together . ALERED ' S LODGE ( No . 59 ) . —The members of this lodge met in their rooms , Donegall-place , to commemorate the timehonoured anniversary of their patron saint . . After the labours of the lodge were concluded , the brethren sat down to an ex-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
this have their own influence to stimulate each and all of us to follow and imitate that which is noble and good ; and it is gratifying to reflect that we all conceive an exalted consideration of the object of this meeting , when wo cease from onr daily toil and bustle , simultaneously animated with the same desire to honour worth and reward virtue . Bro . McMurdo , seeing that we are met here to-night to demonstrate tbe esteem in which are heldbpresenting yon with this
you , y merited token , consisting of a purse of sovereigns , 1 can assure you that the various subscribers to this gift have been actuated to do so from a due regard and high appreciation of your labours amongst them in the capacity of Right AA orshipful Master , and the polite , unassuming , and unpretending deportment which characterises you in your frequent conversations . It affords m 5 the highest deliht to be the medium of conveying to you this
g demonstration of friendship , the value of which is not in itself , but in tbe brotherly love and good feeling evinced in this peculiar manner , as a proof-that such friendship exists ; and it is hoped yon will accept of it in the same spirit in which it is given . In the name of the subscribers , may you live a long , honourable , and happy life along with your wife and family ;
may the results of your labours of love be crowned with success , and be all times duly appreciated ; may good men speak well of you , your friends love you , your neighbours respect you , and the fraternity admire , esteem , and remember with gratitude all the perseverance and earnestness exhibited in the discharge of the duties of the various and difficult offices which you have held , and the exemplary actions whicli you have performed amongst them . And now , brother , I feel highly gratified in
handing you this gift . Take it , and do with it whatsoever soemeth best for you to do . The health and prosperity of Bro . McMurdo was then drank with enthusiastic cheering . Bro . MCMURDO then rose , and in reply said—Mr . Chairman , ladies , and gentlemen , it is with feelings that I will not now even attempt to analyse that I rise to respond to the sentiments in which your worthy chairman has seen fit to flatter me . It
is true that we have been acquainted for many years ; and since that acquaintance has ripened into intimacy it has flowed ou uninterruptedly—is at the present time one of tho chief pleasures of life , in the continuance of which I look forward iu the hope that ultimately , perhaps , mutual benefit and instruction may arise therefrom ; in short ,
"I lo e him as a very brither . But , brethren , he has told you some things which , if I pass some of them over , I hope you will forgive me ; the fact is , that the praises of one ' s self is a delicate field to operate in , and I know you will appreciate my motive if I let the most of them remain in " statu quo . " But " e pluribus vmam , " he says be respects me for the tact and ability I display in imparting Masonic information . I was not aware , sir , till now that I was possessed of
cither of those characteristics ; but having the honour of occupying the position I now do in this lodge , I believe it incumbent on me to perform the duties pertaining to that position with all the poor ability I possess . None present know better than I do my shortcomings in this respect . True , I have endeavoured to inculcate the principles of our Order ( so long as I have hucl the honour of being your Master ) into all successful candidates for that honour ; and I must confess that I am put
to the blush to think that , while I am doing so , I should he so deficient in the practice of them myself . Still , brethren , I do my best to maintain intact the principles of an institution ¦ whose boundary is the circle of civilisation , whose principles are justice , morality , and virtue ; and , if antiquity is of any value , it is now the wonder of the world . It has seen the rise and downfall of Egypt , Babylon , Nineveh , and all the other nations
of antiquity . It went with the unhappy Israelite into bondage , -and solaced him as , with unstrung harp upon the willows , ho sat by Babel ' s stream . It witnessed the advent of Emanuel ; and when the disciple whom ho loved became , through the infirmity of age , unable to perform his active apostolic duties , he thought it eminently suited to his holy office to give his influence to tho extension of Freemasonry . But for tho
principles cf our institution , brethren , I could not have spoken so of its antiquity . The mysteries exercised by us are strictly in keeping with the purest tenets of our holy religion . Of all our characteristics charity stands prominent , in the train of whicli follows truth , prudence , fortitude , Sic . Any man not practising the above characteristics , and claiming to bo a Freemason , is unworthy of the name . Your chairman , brethren , has also referred to the position of this lodge ; aud this position , which
Scotland.
he denominates a ' high one , he attributes to me . _ I am sorry to say , sir , I cannot plead guilty to the charge , or , if it is the case , I am in ignorance of it , and consequently merit no praise ; and this the more so , as the good of the lodge was not my motive for becoming its Master ; the fact is , that since I ascended the first stop in the ladder of Masonry , now nearly eighteen years ago , I determined to be , if possible , Master of my mother lod . The Master of a Masonic lodge appeared to me
ge at that time ( and it has not yet lost all its charm ) something above the common lot of men , sitting like some enthroned magician surrounded by his familiars . To one he says go . and he goeth ; to another , do this , and he doeth it ; and no matter hy what spirit they are pervaded , by one wave of his magic wand all are restored to order and harmony again . AVell , I found that the object of my ambition was not to bo attained by negligence ,
and therefore became a regular attendant of lodge meetings , and at the first election after my initiation was elected to the office of Junior Steward . For a good number of years I filled the most of the subordinate offices in theloiVje , and was no less than four times on the list of candidates for Master , and was as often thrown over ; it was the fifth time before I gained the coveted honour . But I was not disheartened : like the ancient
Grecian who , when he was not elected one of the 100 representatives of the people , went home rejoicing that there were 100 better men in Greece than himself ; so I was glad to think that there were brethren in the lodge better qualified to fill the
honourable office of Master than your humble servant . I am now the twenty-third individual who has presided over this lodge . Of these thirteen have served one year , six two years , ono four years , one six years , and your humble servant is now serving his seventh year . This list , brethren , is headed by the lumo of W . F . Campbell , Esq ., of Shawfield , M . P ., and I fear that his mantle lias descended upon unworthy shoulders . But , brethren , my chief object in rising , and whicli I must now come
to , is to thank you , cordially thank you , for tho honour done me to-night . Most of you must be aware that this is not the first tiaie I have occupied the position I now do . I once before had to thank the brethren ot this lodge in a similar manner , when , as their Secretary , I received from the hands of their then Deputy Master another tangible token of their esteem . What I have done to merit such renewed tokens of regard at their hands , I know not ; but if anything were wanting to repay me
for any trouble I may have taken in connection with this lodge , I find it in many of the faces now before me , as it is with them that I have spent most of my social , and , iu some few cases , of intellectual intercourse , " when ( as our chairman expresses it ) we cease from our daily toil , " which I look upon as tbe brighter spots of my existence . Allow me again , brethren , before resuming my seat , to thank yon for tiie unmerited token of respect now handed me by our worthy chairman . I accept it , sir , in the same spirit in whicli it is given , but have nothing to give in return but my warmest wishes for the welfare of the inrlividnnl subscribers . To those brethren who have como from
a distance to honour us by their presence , I tender my warmest thanks , and I wish health , long life , and prospeiity to all worthy sons of old St . John's , Woodhall . May God bless her . The above reply called forth the toast , " The Woodhall Lodge . " The Chairman then proposed the Dalzell Lodge , coupled with the name of Brother Archibald King , R . W . M . of Dalzell . Bro . King replied . Song , toast , and sentiment were agreeably interspersed till after ten o ' clock , when the brethren with partners opened the ball , and kept " tripping it on the light fantastic toe" till an early hour , each and all of them enjoying an exceedingly happy evening .
Ireland.
IRELAND .
BELFAST . TEMPLE LODGE ( NO . 51 ) . —The members of this lodge met together on Tuesday , December 27 th , at four o ' clock , according to custom , to install officers , when Bros . Andrew C' arr was installed W . M . ; John Reid , P . M ., S . W . ; and Alexander Faulkner , P . M ., J . W . After the installation , the lodge was adjourned till the 28 thto advance candidates , and afterwards to sup
, together . ALERED ' S LODGE ( No . 59 ) . —The members of this lodge met in their rooms , Donegall-place , to commemorate the timehonoured anniversary of their patron saint . . After the labours of the lodge were concluded , the brethren sat down to an ex-