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Article THE LATE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Late Marquis Of Hastings.
THE LATE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS .
The Reply ofthe Marquis of Hastings to an Address presented to him on his leaving Calcutta , in December , 1822 , by the Freemasons of Calcutta , as Grand Master in the Fast . " BRETHREN—The compliment which you have offered to me is peculiarly affecting , and grateful to my feelings . It ought to be so . As you have yourselves observed , each of you has already affixed his name to the general address with which I was honoured some days ago .
There is , of course , a motive for your wishing to come forward again ; and as I cannot but understand it , the quality of that motive is most flattering to me : —you have desired to bear a more precise and emphatic testimony to my conduct . That observation which Masons reciprocally exercise over each other , not as a privilege , but as a duty , binds the Craft to be strict in a public profession of opinion , so that where it can commend , the commendation stands vouched by the known caution . Your approbation of me may be mistaken , may be undeservedly partial , may be exaggerated in praise , but it must be sincere , and as such I take it to my heart .
" You have thanked me for the encouragement I have given here to Masonry , and for the vigilance I have exerted for its preserving an accurate course . That fostering care was incumbent on me , for the superintendence which I have held . But I have not considered the fulfilment of such an obligation as a dry duty . " I have felt a lively interest in the promotion of what I believe to be highly beneficial to society . The veil thrown over Masonry renders its
operation silent and unobserved : yet the influence of a body spread through all classes of society , pervading every circle , and diffusing ( though by its separate members ) opinions digested and matured , from remote periods , in the Brotherhood , must be powerful in its effect . I think the traces of its useful sway are discoverable , if we cast our eyes on older times . Reflect on that semi-barbarism which was the condition of all the states of Europe in ages not long past . What apparent
cause was there for a sudden and rapidly progressive mitigation of the rude oppressions which characterised the day ? If none such can confidently be pointed out , is it not reasonable to recur to an agency which , while it is unobtrusive , must in its very nature be active ?
" The secrecy observed in Masonic proceedings , and the rigid scrutiny exercised into the private character of candidates for admission , excited the curiosity of the higher ranks , and at the same time removed every fear of their discrediting themselves by becoming members of the fraternity . Once initiated , they received lessons which never could have reached them in any other situation . They were taught , that throughout the necessary gradations in a community , and amid the unavoidable
distinctions arising from talents or property , man was still the brother of man . This primary position once adopted , all corollaries from it were readily embraced . The doctrine imbibed in the Lodge became the rule of action for the man of might in his public sphere , and his example disseminated the principle of humanity and justice to the utmost extent of the circle . Surely this is not a visionary supposition . Observe the difference of character between the nations of Europe where Masonry has flourished and those in ivhich it has been proscribed .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Marquis Of Hastings.
THE LATE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS .
The Reply ofthe Marquis of Hastings to an Address presented to him on his leaving Calcutta , in December , 1822 , by the Freemasons of Calcutta , as Grand Master in the Fast . " BRETHREN—The compliment which you have offered to me is peculiarly affecting , and grateful to my feelings . It ought to be so . As you have yourselves observed , each of you has already affixed his name to the general address with which I was honoured some days ago .
There is , of course , a motive for your wishing to come forward again ; and as I cannot but understand it , the quality of that motive is most flattering to me : —you have desired to bear a more precise and emphatic testimony to my conduct . That observation which Masons reciprocally exercise over each other , not as a privilege , but as a duty , binds the Craft to be strict in a public profession of opinion , so that where it can commend , the commendation stands vouched by the known caution . Your approbation of me may be mistaken , may be undeservedly partial , may be exaggerated in praise , but it must be sincere , and as such I take it to my heart .
" You have thanked me for the encouragement I have given here to Masonry , and for the vigilance I have exerted for its preserving an accurate course . That fostering care was incumbent on me , for the superintendence which I have held . But I have not considered the fulfilment of such an obligation as a dry duty . " I have felt a lively interest in the promotion of what I believe to be highly beneficial to society . The veil thrown over Masonry renders its
operation silent and unobserved : yet the influence of a body spread through all classes of society , pervading every circle , and diffusing ( though by its separate members ) opinions digested and matured , from remote periods , in the Brotherhood , must be powerful in its effect . I think the traces of its useful sway are discoverable , if we cast our eyes on older times . Reflect on that semi-barbarism which was the condition of all the states of Europe in ages not long past . What apparent
cause was there for a sudden and rapidly progressive mitigation of the rude oppressions which characterised the day ? If none such can confidently be pointed out , is it not reasonable to recur to an agency which , while it is unobtrusive , must in its very nature be active ?
" The secrecy observed in Masonic proceedings , and the rigid scrutiny exercised into the private character of candidates for admission , excited the curiosity of the higher ranks , and at the same time removed every fear of their discrediting themselves by becoming members of the fraternity . Once initiated , they received lessons which never could have reached them in any other situation . They were taught , that throughout the necessary gradations in a community , and amid the unavoidable
distinctions arising from talents or property , man was still the brother of man . This primary position once adopted , all corollaries from it were readily embraced . The doctrine imbibed in the Lodge became the rule of action for the man of might in his public sphere , and his example disseminated the principle of humanity and justice to the utmost extent of the circle . Surely this is not a visionary supposition . Observe the difference of character between the nations of Europe where Masonry has flourished and those in ivhich it has been proscribed .