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Provincial
Lodge Room , and after disposing of some usual routine business , the Prov . G . M . addressed the Brethren nearly to the following effect : — It is a source of the greatest gratification for me to be here present with you this day , to see a Lodge which has so long remained inactive again springing into its former vigour and activity , and giving every promise of following tbe Masonic
art in freedom , fervency , and zeal . I may say that Masonry is now in a more flourishing state than perhaps it has been at any former period . In proof of this , only look at the number of initiations which are continually taking place in our university of Oxford , and the zeal there displayed in the Masonic art . It certainl y is true , as remarked in this last Freemasons Quarterly Magazine , that initiations may be too frequent , and thus many may be brought into this Order whom we may be hereafter sorry to have admitted ; but still , with all due caution before admissions are taken , no good Mason can but rejoice at the initiation of a Brother .
In my opinion , the only really dangerous man , and one who should be most thoroughly avoided by . all who wish peace , harmony , good fellowship , and comfort in their Lodges , is a contentious man , one who is likely to cavil and find fault with everything which his own mind cannot at once comprehend , and to quarrel with every one who does not instantly fall into his views . Such a man avoid . I would also here give a hint , because it applies to all those who rule and govern in Lodges , and it is this : never , if possible , raise a question when there is no occasion for it ; should any doubt arise on any pointeither of Masonic discipline
, or practice , in the first place refer it to me as a private friend ; I will give it my best attention , and should I feel any difficulty in the matter , I will submit it to the valued opinions of some of my best Masonic friends in London . In all ordinary cases this will be found tbe best course . I am fully aware cases may arise when such a proceeding will not do , and recourse must be had to a legally constituted Masonic tribunal . It is most gratifying to learn that our great charities
are flourishing in a manner before unknown . Look at the noble building for the Girls' School on Clapham Common . Enter the school ; see the discipline carried out—a thorough system of Masonic love , without brute coercion or correction ! Observe the happy faces , neat dresses , and healthy and cleanly appearance of the girls—their progress in all useful duties , in sound moral education , as well as their training in nil domestic occupations of life—and you will then say Masonry "is more than a name ! " The Girls' School was founded in 17 SS , by Signor Ruspini , and in no one single instance has a girl been known to turn out badly . I know of
nothing so likely to touch the heart of any Mason , than a sight of the girls in . this school ; and you must remember this is chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions from Masons , ladies , and kind friends ; and that this establishment , which in 1788 was instituted for eighteen girls , now educates sixty-six , or more . The Boys' School also is rapidly advancing ; a school building-fund has been commenced for them , and it is to be hoped that after the lapse of a year or two , the Brethren may be able to see them also under one master , studying together all the useful and sound instruction which can be afforded to them ; and
thus growing up practical illustrations of the sincerity , honesty , and truth of our ancient and honourable society . The establishment for Aged Masons , on Croydon Common , does not advance so quickly as the other charities ; still , we will use the Masonic virtue " Hope , " which will lead us to a full " Eaith" and belief that this undertaking will eventually become everything which its original projector could have wished . I will now draw the attention of the younger Brethren to a subject of the most vital importance to them , and that is the necessity which there is , if any Brother wishes to rise and be eminent in the Craftof deep study and much
, thought , as well as of constant antiquai'ian research . Masonry , I formerly remarked , is a well-stored mine ; "dig deep , " and you will find treasures . Do not imagine that you are a perfect Mason if you know , can perform well , and remember most minutely , all the ceremonies and lectures of the Order . You must lay them to heart , you must dissect them , you must digest them , and see how perfect they are in all their points , parts , and bearings , and how truly they are " veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . " Masonry is a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial
Lodge Room , and after disposing of some usual routine business , the Prov . G . M . addressed the Brethren nearly to the following effect : — It is a source of the greatest gratification for me to be here present with you this day , to see a Lodge which has so long remained inactive again springing into its former vigour and activity , and giving every promise of following tbe Masonic
art in freedom , fervency , and zeal . I may say that Masonry is now in a more flourishing state than perhaps it has been at any former period . In proof of this , only look at the number of initiations which are continually taking place in our university of Oxford , and the zeal there displayed in the Masonic art . It certainl y is true , as remarked in this last Freemasons Quarterly Magazine , that initiations may be too frequent , and thus many may be brought into this Order whom we may be hereafter sorry to have admitted ; but still , with all due caution before admissions are taken , no good Mason can but rejoice at the initiation of a Brother .
In my opinion , the only really dangerous man , and one who should be most thoroughly avoided by . all who wish peace , harmony , good fellowship , and comfort in their Lodges , is a contentious man , one who is likely to cavil and find fault with everything which his own mind cannot at once comprehend , and to quarrel with every one who does not instantly fall into his views . Such a man avoid . I would also here give a hint , because it applies to all those who rule and govern in Lodges , and it is this : never , if possible , raise a question when there is no occasion for it ; should any doubt arise on any pointeither of Masonic discipline
, or practice , in the first place refer it to me as a private friend ; I will give it my best attention , and should I feel any difficulty in the matter , I will submit it to the valued opinions of some of my best Masonic friends in London . In all ordinary cases this will be found tbe best course . I am fully aware cases may arise when such a proceeding will not do , and recourse must be had to a legally constituted Masonic tribunal . It is most gratifying to learn that our great charities
are flourishing in a manner before unknown . Look at the noble building for the Girls' School on Clapham Common . Enter the school ; see the discipline carried out—a thorough system of Masonic love , without brute coercion or correction ! Observe the happy faces , neat dresses , and healthy and cleanly appearance of the girls—their progress in all useful duties , in sound moral education , as well as their training in nil domestic occupations of life—and you will then say Masonry "is more than a name ! " The Girls' School was founded in 17 SS , by Signor Ruspini , and in no one single instance has a girl been known to turn out badly . I know of
nothing so likely to touch the heart of any Mason , than a sight of the girls in . this school ; and you must remember this is chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions from Masons , ladies , and kind friends ; and that this establishment , which in 1788 was instituted for eighteen girls , now educates sixty-six , or more . The Boys' School also is rapidly advancing ; a school building-fund has been commenced for them , and it is to be hoped that after the lapse of a year or two , the Brethren may be able to see them also under one master , studying together all the useful and sound instruction which can be afforded to them ; and
thus growing up practical illustrations of the sincerity , honesty , and truth of our ancient and honourable society . The establishment for Aged Masons , on Croydon Common , does not advance so quickly as the other charities ; still , we will use the Masonic virtue " Hope , " which will lead us to a full " Eaith" and belief that this undertaking will eventually become everything which its original projector could have wished . I will now draw the attention of the younger Brethren to a subject of the most vital importance to them , and that is the necessity which there is , if any Brother wishes to rise and be eminent in the Craftof deep study and much
, thought , as well as of constant antiquai'ian research . Masonry , I formerly remarked , is a well-stored mine ; "dig deep , " and you will find treasures . Do not imagine that you are a perfect Mason if you know , can perform well , and remember most minutely , all the ceremonies and lectures of the Order . You must lay them to heart , you must dissect them , you must digest them , and see how perfect they are in all their points , parts , and bearings , and how truly they are " veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . " Masonry is a