Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign.
ledge . I felt conscious that a high and great moral responsibility had devolved upon me , —that I had entered into a compact , sacred and inviolable , with my Brethren , and that , as Master of this Lodge , it became my duty to see that the lustre of the office should be maintained unsullied , and the government of the Lodge continued , preserved , and unimpaired—carefull y avoiding , at all times , any appearance of arbitrarinessor whatever miht justlgive the least cause of offence to
, g y the Members , collectively , or individually ; striving , at the same time , to do that which might best meet their wishes , and secure their good will . I trust that my object has been attained , and I feel encouraged to believe , that this is really the case , persuaded as I must be , by the good will and good opinion conveyed to me by the handsome , and invaluable and superb present with which you have been pleased to honor
mewhich I shall ever consider as one of the proudest treasures I possess , and which I shall feel a sincere and heartfelt pride and pleasure in displaying , on all suitable occasions ; and I do assure you , that after such a manifestation of your generous kindness and favor , I feel the greatest difficulty to find adequate terms to convey to you the keen sense of my gratitude and thanks , which are so justly due to the worthy Members of this Lodge . Allow methenonce more to return
, , you my most grateful and unfeigned thanks , and sincerest gratitude : and again , to assure you , that I shall use double diligence in performing the duties of my high and exalted station in the Lodge , so as to maintain and secure your approbation , so long as you may be pleased to continue me in that exalted office . Well , indeed , may I say then , in the emphatic words of our deceased Brother , Burns ,
" Oft have I met your social band , And spent the cheerful festive night ; Oft honor'd with supreme command , Presided o ' er the sons of light . " I cannot , however , help remarking , with regret , that of the few worthy Brethren who were at the formation of the Lodge , most of them have been removed from us ; some to distant lands , and others , " to that bourne from whence no traveller returns . " To such as are gone to distant climes , we may safely , and with truth , say ,
" rho far they re frae us , Still they ' re wi' us , Present in our minds . " Of those , whom death has laid low , we cannot but bear them in mind , though with regret . It is now upwards of twenty years since I had the honor to be admitted a Member of this very Ancient and Honorable Fraternity ; and ,
ever since 1 had the honor of being enrolled in the list of Masons , as I knew it was my duty , so have I made it my business , as far as was within the compass of my acquirement , to make myself acquainted with the principles on which our glorious superstructure is founded ; and , like the miner , the further I have advanced , the richer has been my discovery , and the greater my reward ; and , the treasure constantly opening to my view , has proved a full and satisfactory recompense for all my labours .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign.
ledge . I felt conscious that a high and great moral responsibility had devolved upon me , —that I had entered into a compact , sacred and inviolable , with my Brethren , and that , as Master of this Lodge , it became my duty to see that the lustre of the office should be maintained unsullied , and the government of the Lodge continued , preserved , and unimpaired—carefull y avoiding , at all times , any appearance of arbitrarinessor whatever miht justlgive the least cause of offence to
, g y the Members , collectively , or individually ; striving , at the same time , to do that which might best meet their wishes , and secure their good will . I trust that my object has been attained , and I feel encouraged to believe , that this is really the case , persuaded as I must be , by the good will and good opinion conveyed to me by the handsome , and invaluable and superb present with which you have been pleased to honor
mewhich I shall ever consider as one of the proudest treasures I possess , and which I shall feel a sincere and heartfelt pride and pleasure in displaying , on all suitable occasions ; and I do assure you , that after such a manifestation of your generous kindness and favor , I feel the greatest difficulty to find adequate terms to convey to you the keen sense of my gratitude and thanks , which are so justly due to the worthy Members of this Lodge . Allow methenonce more to return
, , you my most grateful and unfeigned thanks , and sincerest gratitude : and again , to assure you , that I shall use double diligence in performing the duties of my high and exalted station in the Lodge , so as to maintain and secure your approbation , so long as you may be pleased to continue me in that exalted office . Well , indeed , may I say then , in the emphatic words of our deceased Brother , Burns ,
" Oft have I met your social band , And spent the cheerful festive night ; Oft honor'd with supreme command , Presided o ' er the sons of light . " I cannot , however , help remarking , with regret , that of the few worthy Brethren who were at the formation of the Lodge , most of them have been removed from us ; some to distant lands , and others , " to that bourne from whence no traveller returns . " To such as are gone to distant climes , we may safely , and with truth , say ,
" rho far they re frae us , Still they ' re wi' us , Present in our minds . " Of those , whom death has laid low , we cannot but bear them in mind , though with regret . It is now upwards of twenty years since I had the honor to be admitted a Member of this very Ancient and Honorable Fraternity ; and ,
ever since 1 had the honor of being enrolled in the list of Masons , as I knew it was my duty , so have I made it my business , as far as was within the compass of my acquirement , to make myself acquainted with the principles on which our glorious superstructure is founded ; and , like the miner , the further I have advanced , the richer has been my discovery , and the greater my reward ; and , the treasure constantly opening to my view , has proved a full and satisfactory recompense for all my labours .