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Article PROVINCIAL ← Page 26 of 31 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial
ickiiovvlciigcd the toast , expressing his sincere thanks for the kind manner in which his name had been mentioned and received . He hoped that during the period in which he had held the high office of G . M . of Dorset he had carried out the principles of the Order—had made himself obnoxious to none , but endeared himself to all within his province . His aim and object , in every public act in the high position in which he was placed , was to do his duty honestly , strictly , and fairly , "
and he trusted that everything he had done would turn out to the satisfaction and promote the happiness of all in his province , and tend to the good of Masonry in general . It was but six years ago ( in 1842 ) that in the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity at Taunton he had been initiated into Freemasonry—had been first removed " from darkness into light . " He had been induced to become a Mason from preconceived notions that the institution was a good one . He had since proved it to be so
, and he had followed it up with hearty perseverance . It was the only institution in the world which united all its members in one bond of brotherhood , however widely separated—and which enabled all to meet in friendly equality in the lodge , and yet retain their various positions in the world in which a superintending Providence had placed them ; and all differences , political and otherwise , by which men are so often divided , were not allowed to slacken the fraternal tie . The universality of
Masonry gave scope for the exercise of a more extended benevolence than any other institution could offer , and unlike other societies confined within a narrow circle , Masonry knew no limits , but extended its advantages and usefulness to all mankind . In his address just now he had alluded to some of the attacks to which the institution had been
subjected , but he had omitted one of the most prevalent and powerful ones . Masons , he knew , were very often designated as a body of infidels , deists , Unitarians , and the like . Now this was false and unfounded . He would most emphatically assert that it was a Christian institution , Christian in every sense of the word , and he was most anxious to convince them that it was so . f _ Mr . Woodcock— " the sermon has done that . " ]] Would any say it was Unitarian ? No . 1 f so , it must he secturian , and that most certainly was not the case . The P . G . M . proceeded to make some
remarks in proof of the Christian character of the institution , with especial reference to the Trinity , which was acknowledged by the Order , as every Royal Arch Mason present could bear him out in asserting . It was just as true to say that the church of England was Unitarian , as that Freemasonry should be accused of it . No , it was not Unitarian , it was universally Christian , and its ceremonies and lectures were so framed that they should not be offensive to members of any sect . He hoped he
should be excused for these remarks . He had heard so much upon the subject lately , that he was determined to make them . He would sit down by expressing the hope that the members would continue to go on united as brethren , and that all things would work together for good . If there were any present who did not agree with his sentiments he hoped the time would come when they would do so . The respected G . M . resumed his seat amid much cheeringrising again immediately to propose
, " Col . Tynte , the P . G . M . of Somerset , " with which he would couple the name of Capt . Maher of Taunton , who returned thanks . " Earl Fortescue , the P . G . M . of Devon , " coupled with the names of Bros . Luxmore , of Exeter , and Hodge , of Sidmouth . Bro . HODGE acknowledged the toast . The P . G . M , next gave " our Visitors , " particularly mentioning Bro .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial
ickiiovvlciigcd the toast , expressing his sincere thanks for the kind manner in which his name had been mentioned and received . He hoped that during the period in which he had held the high office of G . M . of Dorset he had carried out the principles of the Order—had made himself obnoxious to none , but endeared himself to all within his province . His aim and object , in every public act in the high position in which he was placed , was to do his duty honestly , strictly , and fairly , "
and he trusted that everything he had done would turn out to the satisfaction and promote the happiness of all in his province , and tend to the good of Masonry in general . It was but six years ago ( in 1842 ) that in the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity at Taunton he had been initiated into Freemasonry—had been first removed " from darkness into light . " He had been induced to become a Mason from preconceived notions that the institution was a good one . He had since proved it to be so
, and he had followed it up with hearty perseverance . It was the only institution in the world which united all its members in one bond of brotherhood , however widely separated—and which enabled all to meet in friendly equality in the lodge , and yet retain their various positions in the world in which a superintending Providence had placed them ; and all differences , political and otherwise , by which men are so often divided , were not allowed to slacken the fraternal tie . The universality of
Masonry gave scope for the exercise of a more extended benevolence than any other institution could offer , and unlike other societies confined within a narrow circle , Masonry knew no limits , but extended its advantages and usefulness to all mankind . In his address just now he had alluded to some of the attacks to which the institution had been
subjected , but he had omitted one of the most prevalent and powerful ones . Masons , he knew , were very often designated as a body of infidels , deists , Unitarians , and the like . Now this was false and unfounded . He would most emphatically assert that it was a Christian institution , Christian in every sense of the word , and he was most anxious to convince them that it was so . f _ Mr . Woodcock— " the sermon has done that . " ]] Would any say it was Unitarian ? No . 1 f so , it must he secturian , and that most certainly was not the case . The P . G . M . proceeded to make some
remarks in proof of the Christian character of the institution , with especial reference to the Trinity , which was acknowledged by the Order , as every Royal Arch Mason present could bear him out in asserting . It was just as true to say that the church of England was Unitarian , as that Freemasonry should be accused of it . No , it was not Unitarian , it was universally Christian , and its ceremonies and lectures were so framed that they should not be offensive to members of any sect . He hoped he
should be excused for these remarks . He had heard so much upon the subject lately , that he was determined to make them . He would sit down by expressing the hope that the members would continue to go on united as brethren , and that all things would work together for good . If there were any present who did not agree with his sentiments he hoped the time would come when they would do so . The respected G . M . resumed his seat amid much cheeringrising again immediately to propose
, " Col . Tynte , the P . G . M . of Somerset , " with which he would couple the name of Capt . Maher of Taunton , who returned thanks . " Earl Fortescue , the P . G . M . of Devon , " coupled with the names of Bros . Luxmore , of Exeter , and Hodge , of Sidmouth . Bro . HODGE acknowledged the toast . The P . G . M , next gave " our Visitors , " particularly mentioning Bro .