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  • Oct. 5, 1867
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Oct. 5, 1867: Page 16

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    Article SCOTLAND. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Page 16

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Scotland.

nature . The work has been undertaken by tradesmen of much experience and skill . Our earnest wishes and hopes are that it may prove a great blessing for many generations . In conclusion , I may mention that , liberal as the contributions have been , there is still a necessity for more , and if this reach the ear of any friend who has not yet given his mite we shall be happy to receive it . Afc this stage of the proceedingsthe Rev . J . Symington rose

, aud spoke as follows : —Mr . Chairman , fellow-townsmen , and friends—It gives me much pleasure to take some small part in the interesting ceremonial of this day . It is a fresh laurel in the wreath which crowns Kilmarnock . Our good town has been improving in many ways since I became a dweller in it , and that is now nearly twenty years . We have not only new structures and new streets opening up and adorning the place of

¦ our habitation , but we have of late added some new institutions , well fitted to advance the physical , commercial , intellectual , and moral interests of the community—institutions which , I am persuaded , stand second to few or none of a provincial kind in Scotland ; and we have now laid the foundation stone of one which I believe will prove an honour and a blessing to our town in days to come—the Fever Hospital . Long looked for , it

comes at last ! Tha growth has been slow , but it has been sure and healthy . However much we may differ in some things , surely we have here a common platform on which all mayappear and plead earnestly for tbe common weal . Let me offer a few observations concerning this and kindred institutions , to stir and stimulate therein , aud to provoke to love and good ¦ works . And here let me at once take the high ground which ,

not only my office but the interests of truth call upon me to take . Let me remind you that hospitals and kindred institutions are the offspring of Christianity . Go to heathen lands , and you find the aged , diseased , dying , lelt alone to perish . Go to the more civilised states of pagan Greece and Rome , and no proper provision is made for the poor , the destitute , the diseased . Even in Judea , when Christ came , Lazarus must lie at the rich man ' s gate—that was his only hospital . Homes for the poor , sehools for the ignorant and neglected , and hospitals for the sick , are an out-birth of Christianity . They arose at its dawn , and have ever fallen in its wake . Let this then increase

our regard at once for the times and the land iu which we live , and for the better dispensation under which we are placed . It -is emphatically one of charity . Then let us say that to support ¦ such an institution as this is dutiful , and therefore encumbent on us all . There is not—there cannot be—such a thing as absolute independence in civil society- No man livoth unto himself . Each man is but a link iu the great chain : we care for the poor , and why not for the diseased ? When we think

of the extent , and the mixed character of our population , of the numerous haunts and fearful ravages of fever iu some of outovercrowded nurseries of disease , the call of duty is loud and urgent to us to do what we can to mitigate the evil . Besides , in a Christian community , we ought ever to be governed by Christian principle and rule , and this is the law of Christ—• " Look not every man on his own things , but every man also on the things of others—bear ye one another's burdens . "

Moreover , Christ regards such duty done to his suffering ones as done to himself— " I was sick , and ye visited me , " " Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren , ye have clone it unto me . " The work is economical . Here is an appeal to reason and expediency . I had almost said to self , which may have weight with some who pay little regard to those higher motives which ought to regulate our doings . It will save much timelabourand expense at once to individuals who may

, , become patients , and to the community at large . It is clear that it will prove much easier to furnish fit nurses and proper medical attendance , not to speak of other things , when a number of patients are under one roof , than when they are scattered all over tho town and neighbourhood . Moreover , ifc must be economical of the public health . I have only to mention some descriptions of fever to remind you of their malignant and infectious character . It is

self-protective action then to have fever patients carried apart and cured , for with all the comforts and very generally far more than the meagre comforts of their own poor homes , we cannot < lo good without getting good . In ministering to the diseased , we so far protect ourselves . It is benevolent this work . After making all due allowance for what we have said about duty and self-protection , we have here much genuine christian benevolence , and benevolence is blessed now , it is one of the beauties of holiness , it is the fairest fruit that grows on the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil . Mercy is twice blest . It blesses him who gives and him who takes , and surely in such action as the future of this Fever Hospital , it will be more blessed to give than to receive . On these , and many similar grounds , this work of charity , now so happily inaugurated , demands the deepest gratitude of the whole community . A special benefit to some , it is designed and fitted to be for the good of the population generally ; and I trust that there will beas in the

, case of Glasgow and Edinburgh Infirmaries , a very general and hearty response made to the claims of this institution for regular support . And on such an occasion as this , let us not forget to make honourable mention of those kind and liberal benefactors who have hitherto promoted this work by contributing so handsomely to the building fund ; our warmest gratitude is due to them . The savour of their benevolence will remain for many

years to come . I have now in common with all before and around me only to invoke a blessing on the work of our hands —may the Great Architect of this great universe send a rich blessing down upon our fever hospital , and may fche superstructure to be reared on the foundation this day laid , long remain to dispense the gifts of christian charity to the fever patients of Kilmarnock . The rev . gentlemanwho was listened to with great interest

, , as were also the Provost and Bro . Wylie , concluded amidst applause ; and the Kilmarnock band having played " Rule Britannia , " the procession was re-formed , and in reversed order , the Masonic deputation left the ground . On reaching the council chamber , the Craft opened up , and allowed the civic authorities to pass up the centre into their hall , and having countermarched the procession , moved towards the George

Hotel , where it broke up . Bro . D . Murray Lyon , of Ayr , directed with consummate ease and efficiency the marshalling of the procession , and the entire ceremony at laying the stone . Bro . Lyon has directed all the public Masonic ceremonials of any note that has taken place during tbe last eight or nine years , including the inauguration of the Neill and Eglinton monument at Ayr . Captain Gait also rendered good service by the judicious arrangement of the police , who kept the line of procession free of interruption . After the ceremonial was concluded several of tbe brethren and

a few guests sat down to dinner in the George Hotel . The chair was occupied by Bro . J . McKay , W . M ., 23 , supported on the right by the following brethren : —Bros . Wylie , Prov . G . M . ; Rev . lnglis , J . Steven , D . Murray Lyon , Rev . J . Thomson , & c . And ou fche left by Bros . Ross , Provost Dickie , Bailies Wilson , and Mitchell , Messrs . Wallace , M'Laren , French ; Bros . Conn , Capt . Gait , & c . Bros . Shaw and Brown officiated as croupiers . The dinner having been served up in Mr . Walker ' s excellent

style , and the usual loyal toasts having been disposed of , The Chairman , in proposing " Prosperity to the Fever Hospital " said they could not meet after the interesting and important ceremony of the day without heartil y wishing success to the institution whose foundation stone had just been laid under such auspicious circumstances . He had no doubt it would be the means of alleviating human misery in our midstand

, those who had aided in endowing it would hereafter be blessed by many a poor patient within its walls . He coupled with the toast the name of the provost . Provost Dickie , in replying , said that they had certainly shown the interest with which they regarded the institution by being present that day , many of them from a considerable distanceto lay with Masonic honours the foundation' stone .

, He begged again to return them the thanks of himself and of all jinterested in the institution . There had not many days ago been some doubt as to the propriety of'asking tbe Freemasons to be present , and a gentleman , who was the oldest of the original subscribers—Mr . Craufurd , of Craufurdlandhad been selected to perforin the ceremony ; but on account of his advanced ageand the uncertain state of his healthhe

, , had declined the honour . Oiuthis account the committee had been led to apply to a quarter where he ( the Provost ) thought they should have applied first . He thought the projectors of every public institution should accept the services of the Freemasons on an occasion like this , and have the foundation stone laid with due Masonic honours . He had experienced the greatest pleasure iu witnessing the whole of the proceedingsthe

-, regu larity , order , and solemnity of which bad deeply impressed him . Some of the reverend gentlemen did not see the propriety of such a ceremony as had taken place , but perhaps they would by and by be enlightened on- the subject . There was another foundation stone which ought to have been laid to-day , but it

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1867-10-05, Page 16” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 11 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_05101867/page/16/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
EXPATIATION ON THE MYSTERIES OF MASONRY IN MALLING ABBEY LODGE, No. 1,063. Article 1
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. Article 2
OUR AMERICAN CORRESPONDENCE. Article 6
NEW MASONIC HALL, INVERNESS. Article 7
FIRST DECADE OF MASONIC PRECEPTS. Article 8
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 9
LODGE MEETINGS, ETC., FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 12TH, 1867. Article 9
MASONIC MEMS. Article 10
METROPOLITAN. Article 10
PROVINCIAL. Article 10
SCOTLAND. Article 14
CHANNEL ISLANDS. Article 17
CANADA. Article 17
MARK MASONRY. Article 19
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 20
ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE. Article 20
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 20
THE WEEK. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Scotland.

nature . The work has been undertaken by tradesmen of much experience and skill . Our earnest wishes and hopes are that it may prove a great blessing for many generations . In conclusion , I may mention that , liberal as the contributions have been , there is still a necessity for more , and if this reach the ear of any friend who has not yet given his mite we shall be happy to receive it . Afc this stage of the proceedingsthe Rev . J . Symington rose

, aud spoke as follows : —Mr . Chairman , fellow-townsmen , and friends—It gives me much pleasure to take some small part in the interesting ceremonial of this day . It is a fresh laurel in the wreath which crowns Kilmarnock . Our good town has been improving in many ways since I became a dweller in it , and that is now nearly twenty years . We have not only new structures and new streets opening up and adorning the place of

¦ our habitation , but we have of late added some new institutions , well fitted to advance the physical , commercial , intellectual , and moral interests of the community—institutions which , I am persuaded , stand second to few or none of a provincial kind in Scotland ; and we have now laid the foundation stone of one which I believe will prove an honour and a blessing to our town in days to come—the Fever Hospital . Long looked for , it

comes at last ! Tha growth has been slow , but it has been sure and healthy . However much we may differ in some things , surely we have here a common platform on which all mayappear and plead earnestly for tbe common weal . Let me offer a few observations concerning this and kindred institutions , to stir and stimulate therein , aud to provoke to love and good ¦ works . And here let me at once take the high ground which ,

not only my office but the interests of truth call upon me to take . Let me remind you that hospitals and kindred institutions are the offspring of Christianity . Go to heathen lands , and you find the aged , diseased , dying , lelt alone to perish . Go to the more civilised states of pagan Greece and Rome , and no proper provision is made for the poor , the destitute , the diseased . Even in Judea , when Christ came , Lazarus must lie at the rich man ' s gate—that was his only hospital . Homes for the poor , sehools for the ignorant and neglected , and hospitals for the sick , are an out-birth of Christianity . They arose at its dawn , and have ever fallen in its wake . Let this then increase

our regard at once for the times and the land iu which we live , and for the better dispensation under which we are placed . It -is emphatically one of charity . Then let us say that to support ¦ such an institution as this is dutiful , and therefore encumbent on us all . There is not—there cannot be—such a thing as absolute independence in civil society- No man livoth unto himself . Each man is but a link iu the great chain : we care for the poor , and why not for the diseased ? When we think

of the extent , and the mixed character of our population , of the numerous haunts and fearful ravages of fever iu some of outovercrowded nurseries of disease , the call of duty is loud and urgent to us to do what we can to mitigate the evil . Besides , in a Christian community , we ought ever to be governed by Christian principle and rule , and this is the law of Christ—• " Look not every man on his own things , but every man also on the things of others—bear ye one another's burdens . "

Moreover , Christ regards such duty done to his suffering ones as done to himself— " I was sick , and ye visited me , " " Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren , ye have clone it unto me . " The work is economical . Here is an appeal to reason and expediency . I had almost said to self , which may have weight with some who pay little regard to those higher motives which ought to regulate our doings . It will save much timelabourand expense at once to individuals who may

, , become patients , and to the community at large . It is clear that it will prove much easier to furnish fit nurses and proper medical attendance , not to speak of other things , when a number of patients are under one roof , than when they are scattered all over tho town and neighbourhood . Moreover , ifc must be economical of the public health . I have only to mention some descriptions of fever to remind you of their malignant and infectious character . It is

self-protective action then to have fever patients carried apart and cured , for with all the comforts and very generally far more than the meagre comforts of their own poor homes , we cannot < lo good without getting good . In ministering to the diseased , we so far protect ourselves . It is benevolent this work . After making all due allowance for what we have said about duty and self-protection , we have here much genuine christian benevolence , and benevolence is blessed now , it is one of the beauties of holiness , it is the fairest fruit that grows on the tree of the

knowledge of good and evil . Mercy is twice blest . It blesses him who gives and him who takes , and surely in such action as the future of this Fever Hospital , it will be more blessed to give than to receive . On these , and many similar grounds , this work of charity , now so happily inaugurated , demands the deepest gratitude of the whole community . A special benefit to some , it is designed and fitted to be for the good of the population generally ; and I trust that there will beas in the

, case of Glasgow and Edinburgh Infirmaries , a very general and hearty response made to the claims of this institution for regular support . And on such an occasion as this , let us not forget to make honourable mention of those kind and liberal benefactors who have hitherto promoted this work by contributing so handsomely to the building fund ; our warmest gratitude is due to them . The savour of their benevolence will remain for many

years to come . I have now in common with all before and around me only to invoke a blessing on the work of our hands —may the Great Architect of this great universe send a rich blessing down upon our fever hospital , and may fche superstructure to be reared on the foundation this day laid , long remain to dispense the gifts of christian charity to the fever patients of Kilmarnock . The rev . gentlemanwho was listened to with great interest

, , as were also the Provost and Bro . Wylie , concluded amidst applause ; and the Kilmarnock band having played " Rule Britannia , " the procession was re-formed , and in reversed order , the Masonic deputation left the ground . On reaching the council chamber , the Craft opened up , and allowed the civic authorities to pass up the centre into their hall , and having countermarched the procession , moved towards the George

Hotel , where it broke up . Bro . D . Murray Lyon , of Ayr , directed with consummate ease and efficiency the marshalling of the procession , and the entire ceremony at laying the stone . Bro . Lyon has directed all the public Masonic ceremonials of any note that has taken place during tbe last eight or nine years , including the inauguration of the Neill and Eglinton monument at Ayr . Captain Gait also rendered good service by the judicious arrangement of the police , who kept the line of procession free of interruption . After the ceremonial was concluded several of tbe brethren and

a few guests sat down to dinner in the George Hotel . The chair was occupied by Bro . J . McKay , W . M ., 23 , supported on the right by the following brethren : —Bros . Wylie , Prov . G . M . ; Rev . lnglis , J . Steven , D . Murray Lyon , Rev . J . Thomson , & c . And ou fche left by Bros . Ross , Provost Dickie , Bailies Wilson , and Mitchell , Messrs . Wallace , M'Laren , French ; Bros . Conn , Capt . Gait , & c . Bros . Shaw and Brown officiated as croupiers . The dinner having been served up in Mr . Walker ' s excellent

style , and the usual loyal toasts having been disposed of , The Chairman , in proposing " Prosperity to the Fever Hospital " said they could not meet after the interesting and important ceremony of the day without heartil y wishing success to the institution whose foundation stone had just been laid under such auspicious circumstances . He had no doubt it would be the means of alleviating human misery in our midstand

, those who had aided in endowing it would hereafter be blessed by many a poor patient within its walls . He coupled with the toast the name of the provost . Provost Dickie , in replying , said that they had certainly shown the interest with which they regarded the institution by being present that day , many of them from a considerable distanceto lay with Masonic honours the foundation' stone .

, He begged again to return them the thanks of himself and of all jinterested in the institution . There had not many days ago been some doubt as to the propriety of'asking tbe Freemasons to be present , and a gentleman , who was the oldest of the original subscribers—Mr . Craufurd , of Craufurdlandhad been selected to perforin the ceremony ; but on account of his advanced ageand the uncertain state of his healthhe

, , had declined the honour . Oiuthis account the committee had been led to apply to a quarter where he ( the Provost ) thought they should have applied first . He thought the projectors of every public institution should accept the services of the Freemasons on an occasion like this , and have the foundation stone laid with due Masonic honours . He had experienced the greatest pleasure iu witnessing the whole of the proceedingsthe

-, regu larity , order , and solemnity of which bad deeply impressed him . Some of the reverend gentlemen did not see the propriety of such a ceremony as had taken place , but perhaps they would by and by be enlightened on- the subject . There was another foundation stone which ought to have been laid to-day , but it

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