Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
aud proper person to be placed at the head of our affairs . I feel assured of his receiving from you all the assistance in your poiver in the performance of his duties commensurate xvith bis oxm anxious desire for the good of tbe Craft , and for the extension of its operations . Theyearjust closed has been a stirrmg one with us as regards admissions and preferments , there having been in that time thirty initiations , thirty-four advancements to the second , and thirty-two to the third Degree , leax-ing no opportunity or leisure for Lodges of instruction and for lectures but after the of business now about being closedarrangements xvill
; press , doubtless he shortly made to take up those desirable objects . It may not be inopportune , while so many recently initiated Brethren are congregated , to take up some few points in connection with the Fraternity . There are many of these extant in the writings of eminent authors , among them Doctor Anderson , in his " History and Constitution of Masonry , " in the xvorks of the Eev . Or . Oliver , D . D ., —Moore , Carnegie , and other Brethren : two or three of these I shall briefly quote . "The end , the moral , and the purport of Masonry is to subdue our passionsnot to do our willto make daily progress in a laudable artand to promote
, , , morality and humanity . " " Masonry is a science confined to no particular country , but extends over the whole terrestrial globe , —xvherever arts flourish , there it flourishes also . Add to this , that by secret and inviolate signs carefully preserved , it becomes an universal language . Hence many advantages are gained , —tbe distant Chinese , the wild Arab , and the American savage xvill embrace a Brother Briton . " "Speculative Masonry is so far interxvoven xvith religion , as to lay us
under the strongest obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity ivhich at once constitutes our duty and our happiness . It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of Creation , and inspires them with the most exalted ideas of tbe perfections of the Divine Creator . " " Masonry being found in all nations , the Brethren are taught , as far as religious or political tenets are concerned , to leave each Brother to his own particular opinions , by whatever names , religions , or persuasions they may be distinguished . Thus Masonry is the centre of their union , and the happy means of conciliating persons
that otherwise must have remained at a perpetual distance , being constituted in such a manner as to forbid the introduction of startling facts or unacceptable doctrines which may cause disputes or divisions to arise among a Brotherhood , xvho profess to be cemented by the indissoluble chain of Brotherly love . " We are not so absurd or egotistical , Brethren , as to assume the axiom that all Masons are good men , and hold fast the principles ofthe Order ; this xvould be indeed , beyond xvhat is seen in every other association . It has been truly written , that " all are not Christians who profess the faith " so neither are all Masons xvho wear the bad
; ge . But it behoves us always to keep in mind our Masonic engagements , remembering that the Square is emblematical ofthe rectitude of our dealings with our fellowmen , —squaring our actions by the rule of right aud justice ; and the Compasses , to circumscribe all our transactions , bringing them within the bounds of prudence and honour . In a word , Brethren , you xvill permit me to paraphrase one of the last declarations of the most illustrious of England's naval heroes , and exclaim , — Masonry expects every Brother to clo his duty .
BERMUDA . —On Monday , the 27 th December , the Anniversary of Sfc . John the Evangelist , tlie ancient and honourable Society of Pree and Accepted Masons celebrated the occasion by a public ceremony and worship . It being the arrangement of the several Lodges of these islands to celebrate the holy day in regular turn , ifc became the duty of Sfc . George ' s Loclge , No . ' 200 J on this occasion . The weather was remarkably fineand a large concourse of spectators from the
, various parishes was present . At high noon , the procession , marshalled by Bro . P . M . Boxburgh , and preceded by the splendid , band of II . M . ' s 56 fch regiment ( xvhich had been kindl y granted by Col . Eden for the purpose ) , commenced to leax'e the Lodge-room in the followinsr order : —
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
aud proper person to be placed at the head of our affairs . I feel assured of his receiving from you all the assistance in your poiver in the performance of his duties commensurate xvith bis oxm anxious desire for the good of tbe Craft , and for the extension of its operations . Theyearjust closed has been a stirrmg one with us as regards admissions and preferments , there having been in that time thirty initiations , thirty-four advancements to the second , and thirty-two to the third Degree , leax-ing no opportunity or leisure for Lodges of instruction and for lectures but after the of business now about being closedarrangements xvill
; press , doubtless he shortly made to take up those desirable objects . It may not be inopportune , while so many recently initiated Brethren are congregated , to take up some few points in connection with the Fraternity . There are many of these extant in the writings of eminent authors , among them Doctor Anderson , in his " History and Constitution of Masonry , " in the xvorks of the Eev . Or . Oliver , D . D ., —Moore , Carnegie , and other Brethren : two or three of these I shall briefly quote . "The end , the moral , and the purport of Masonry is to subdue our passionsnot to do our willto make daily progress in a laudable artand to promote
, , , morality and humanity . " " Masonry is a science confined to no particular country , but extends over the whole terrestrial globe , —xvherever arts flourish , there it flourishes also . Add to this , that by secret and inviolate signs carefully preserved , it becomes an universal language . Hence many advantages are gained , —tbe distant Chinese , the wild Arab , and the American savage xvill embrace a Brother Briton . " "Speculative Masonry is so far interxvoven xvith religion , as to lay us
under the strongest obligations to pay that rational homage to the Deity ivhich at once constitutes our duty and our happiness . It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of Creation , and inspires them with the most exalted ideas of tbe perfections of the Divine Creator . " " Masonry being found in all nations , the Brethren are taught , as far as religious or political tenets are concerned , to leave each Brother to his own particular opinions , by whatever names , religions , or persuasions they may be distinguished . Thus Masonry is the centre of their union , and the happy means of conciliating persons
that otherwise must have remained at a perpetual distance , being constituted in such a manner as to forbid the introduction of startling facts or unacceptable doctrines which may cause disputes or divisions to arise among a Brotherhood , xvho profess to be cemented by the indissoluble chain of Brotherly love . " We are not so absurd or egotistical , Brethren , as to assume the axiom that all Masons are good men , and hold fast the principles ofthe Order ; this xvould be indeed , beyond xvhat is seen in every other association . It has been truly written , that " all are not Christians who profess the faith " so neither are all Masons xvho wear the bad
; ge . But it behoves us always to keep in mind our Masonic engagements , remembering that the Square is emblematical ofthe rectitude of our dealings with our fellowmen , —squaring our actions by the rule of right aud justice ; and the Compasses , to circumscribe all our transactions , bringing them within the bounds of prudence and honour . In a word , Brethren , you xvill permit me to paraphrase one of the last declarations of the most illustrious of England's naval heroes , and exclaim , — Masonry expects every Brother to clo his duty .
BERMUDA . —On Monday , the 27 th December , the Anniversary of Sfc . John the Evangelist , tlie ancient and honourable Society of Pree and Accepted Masons celebrated the occasion by a public ceremony and worship . It being the arrangement of the several Lodges of these islands to celebrate the holy day in regular turn , ifc became the duty of Sfc . George ' s Loclge , No . ' 200 J on this occasion . The weather was remarkably fineand a large concourse of spectators from the
, various parishes was present . At high noon , the procession , marshalled by Bro . P . M . Boxburgh , and preceded by the splendid , band of II . M . ' s 56 fch regiment ( xvhich had been kindl y granted by Col . Eden for the purpose ) , commenced to leax'e the Lodge-room in the followinsr order : —