Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
to every one that the acts of the committee must have been zealous and energetic to meet with the approbation they have received . They must have acted zealously and well to create such sympathy with the object of this Masonic School . The committee have been energetic in reference to its object . The thing speaks for itself , and I leave the matter with you , brethren . I shall now conclude by seconding the resolution which has been put into my hands . ( Applause . )
A selection of pianoforte music having been performed by the pupils , Brother Mostyn , Grand Treasurer , said it was his pleasing duty to move the following resolution ;— "That the thanks of the Masons of Ireland are hereby given to the Most AVorshipful the Grand Master , his Grace tho Duke of Leinster , for the unceasing interest which he has ever taken in maintaining their principles and upholding their privileges . " He thought he owed it to this vast assembly—to those whom he had the honour of addressing , to state
the reasons why he thought his Grace was so eminently entitled to all the thanks that they could award to him . ( Applause . ) His Grace was first elected to the office of Grand Master in the year 1813 , and for fifty-five successive years he had been elected . He thought that that was strong evidence of the estimation in which his Grace was held by the Masons of Ireland . ( Applause . ) They were not to suppose that his Grace's office had been a sinecure or that he has lain on a bed of roses . He knew that they had had gloom
overshadowing the order as well as the present happy and bright period . They had been attacked by insidious enemies from without as well as assailed by internal disorder from within , but by the admirable management of his Grace the clamour from without was silenced and the voice of dissent within the order was stilled . They had been all subject to his rule—a gentle and mild rule—one which it was easy to submit to . ( Applause . ) He well remembered when their school was held in a dingy house , not far from where they were assembled , when they had but twelve children within its walls , and when they had to appeal annually through the pulpit and the theatre for means to
support it . It was then a struggle—a death struggle . The brethren of the order came to their relief . They were assisted to build their present house , and he might tell the brethren that if it had not been for the munificence of his Grace they might have been to the present hour in that house which had been described to them . ( Applause . ) His Grace had always come forward when his presence , voice , or purse , could be of use to the order . ( Loud applause . ) They saw the new school—the model school he might call
it—presided over by a lady who , by her admirable management of it , had gained for herself tho confidence of the entire Masonic order , as she had the affections of those little children who were given to her care . She had also been admirably assisted by the lady who sat beside her ( the assistant matron ) , and who stood equally high in the estimation of the order . He was glad to have this opportunity of speaking of the feelings with which those ladies were regarded by the Masons of Ireland . ( Applause . ) There was another
subject which be approached with delicacy , because he was about to speak of a brother who was present . They would recollect that in 1855 his friend and much respected friend ( and whom he was happy to call his friend ) retired from the office of their Deputy Grand Master . They knew his Grace would select a successor endowed with wisdom and discretion . Many of high position in the land were anxious to obtain the honour ; but his Grace lookeel about for himself , and he selected a brother who would best meet his views—one
endowed with wisdom and ability , and the mantle fell upon John Fitzhenry Townsend . ( Loud applause . ) He could assure them , and he did so with all sincerity , that the mantle could not have fallen on one more deserving the honour , nor . could his grace have exercised a more sound discretion than in the gentleman he selected to fill the ofiice . ( Applause . ) He reflected his Grace's qualities , his wisdom , and his judgment . ( Loud applause . ) His Grace had , by his example , induced most of the elevated families of Ireland to come amongst them and join them in this good work . In returning to bis Grace their most grateful thanks he could assure him that he expressed not only his own feelings but the feelings of the order which he represented . ( Loud applause . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
to every one that the acts of the committee must have been zealous and energetic to meet with the approbation they have received . They must have acted zealously and well to create such sympathy with the object of this Masonic School . The committee have been energetic in reference to its object . The thing speaks for itself , and I leave the matter with you , brethren . I shall now conclude by seconding the resolution which has been put into my hands . ( Applause . )
A selection of pianoforte music having been performed by the pupils , Brother Mostyn , Grand Treasurer , said it was his pleasing duty to move the following resolution ;— "That the thanks of the Masons of Ireland are hereby given to the Most AVorshipful the Grand Master , his Grace tho Duke of Leinster , for the unceasing interest which he has ever taken in maintaining their principles and upholding their privileges . " He thought he owed it to this vast assembly—to those whom he had the honour of addressing , to state
the reasons why he thought his Grace was so eminently entitled to all the thanks that they could award to him . ( Applause . ) His Grace was first elected to the office of Grand Master in the year 1813 , and for fifty-five successive years he had been elected . He thought that that was strong evidence of the estimation in which his Grace was held by the Masons of Ireland . ( Applause . ) They were not to suppose that his Grace's office had been a sinecure or that he has lain on a bed of roses . He knew that they had had gloom
overshadowing the order as well as the present happy and bright period . They had been attacked by insidious enemies from without as well as assailed by internal disorder from within , but by the admirable management of his Grace the clamour from without was silenced and the voice of dissent within the order was stilled . They had been all subject to his rule—a gentle and mild rule—one which it was easy to submit to . ( Applause . ) He well remembered when their school was held in a dingy house , not far from where they were assembled , when they had but twelve children within its walls , and when they had to appeal annually through the pulpit and the theatre for means to
support it . It was then a struggle—a death struggle . The brethren of the order came to their relief . They were assisted to build their present house , and he might tell the brethren that if it had not been for the munificence of his Grace they might have been to the present hour in that house which had been described to them . ( Applause . ) His Grace had always come forward when his presence , voice , or purse , could be of use to the order . ( Loud applause . ) They saw the new school—the model school he might call
it—presided over by a lady who , by her admirable management of it , had gained for herself tho confidence of the entire Masonic order , as she had the affections of those little children who were given to her care . She had also been admirably assisted by the lady who sat beside her ( the assistant matron ) , and who stood equally high in the estimation of the order . He was glad to have this opportunity of speaking of the feelings with which those ladies were regarded by the Masons of Ireland . ( Applause . ) There was another
subject which be approached with delicacy , because he was about to speak of a brother who was present . They would recollect that in 1855 his friend and much respected friend ( and whom he was happy to call his friend ) retired from the office of their Deputy Grand Master . They knew his Grace would select a successor endowed with wisdom and discretion . Many of high position in the land were anxious to obtain the honour ; but his Grace lookeel about for himself , and he selected a brother who would best meet his views—one
endowed with wisdom and ability , and the mantle fell upon John Fitzhenry Townsend . ( Loud applause . ) He could assure them , and he did so with all sincerity , that the mantle could not have fallen on one more deserving the honour , nor . could his grace have exercised a more sound discretion than in the gentleman he selected to fill the ofiice . ( Applause . ) He reflected his Grace's qualities , his wisdom , and his judgment . ( Loud applause . ) His Grace had , by his example , induced most of the elevated families of Ireland to come amongst them and join them in this good work . In returning to bis Grace their most grateful thanks he could assure him that he expressed not only his own feelings but the feelings of the order which he represented . ( Loud applause . )