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Article MASONIC REMINISCENCES. ← Page 4 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Reminiscences.
who follow what the world deems a worthier calling , and more virtuous pursuits . " Having read the letter , Mary calmly seated herself by her husband ' s side , and placing her hand in his , said , " Maurice , ever since our tiny hands entwined in infancy ' s free sports , and long ere
our young hearts knew aught of love , save such as binds a fond ^ brother to his favourite sister , your will to me was law ; your wildest wish found quick response in my devoted heart . As we grey ^ up in years , and in affection , I still was happy to wear the willing chains of sweet submission to your riper judgment ; when in the paroxysm of bleeding pride , in the burning consciousness of crushed
innocence you vowedto lead this life of lawlessfreedom , and vainly hoped to wrest from unjust rulers the rusted sword of justice , and make it pure again , so that it should fall upon the neck of the wrong doer , and on his alone—to blot out crime , to distribute fortune ' s goods more evenly , and indulged other feverish dreams , which a moment ' s calm reflection served to dissipate ; did I in those wild moments try to stem the fierce tide that swelled your bursting heart .
" Oh ! no , my thoughts were still the counterpart of yours ; without a murmur , I resolved to follow you through chance and change , and though but feeble woman , I feel that with you by my side , I could , without a sigh or tear , bow down my neck to death , and my fondest hope would be , that we should meet again in some bright sphere where fadeless truth could give more perfect and unending proof of constancy and love .
" Hitherto I have allowed my deeds to speak my feelings , and think not , Maurice , I boast now , if for the first time I tell how much I love and fear , not for myself , but for our lovely boy . Are the sombre echoes of this dreary dungeon the fitting answers to his merry laugh ? Is this the school in which to educate the hope of two proud ancient houses ? How weakly must we both have utterly forgotten the heart-consoling lessons of our youth . Let your
thoughts run back with me , when in the old ivied church , we , side by side , read from the same book the words of holy prayer , and heard from pure and pious lips the hopeful promises to fallen man revealed ; how sweetly fell upon our ears , and sunk into our hearts , the Divine commands , that we should love each other ; that vengeance was God ' s alone , who , in his own good time , would raise the righteous and do justice to the wronged .
" I feel that for us this blessed time is come . I hail the sacred symbols on that seal as the harbingers of glad tidings , for I too am a Mason ' s child . I look on this Masonic letter as the instrument of God ' s providence in our behalf ; it seems a message from our fathers '
tombs , addressed to us through the medium of that ancient order they so much loved , and winch they knew we reverenced , next to our pure and holy faith , as the greatest power for good that man can " wield . "Let us then accept the happy omen , and fly from this abode ot misery ; there are other green and sunny lands where a De Courcy
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Reminiscences.
who follow what the world deems a worthier calling , and more virtuous pursuits . " Having read the letter , Mary calmly seated herself by her husband ' s side , and placing her hand in his , said , " Maurice , ever since our tiny hands entwined in infancy ' s free sports , and long ere
our young hearts knew aught of love , save such as binds a fond ^ brother to his favourite sister , your will to me was law ; your wildest wish found quick response in my devoted heart . As we grey ^ up in years , and in affection , I still was happy to wear the willing chains of sweet submission to your riper judgment ; when in the paroxysm of bleeding pride , in the burning consciousness of crushed
innocence you vowedto lead this life of lawlessfreedom , and vainly hoped to wrest from unjust rulers the rusted sword of justice , and make it pure again , so that it should fall upon the neck of the wrong doer , and on his alone—to blot out crime , to distribute fortune ' s goods more evenly , and indulged other feverish dreams , which a moment ' s calm reflection served to dissipate ; did I in those wild moments try to stem the fierce tide that swelled your bursting heart .
" Oh ! no , my thoughts were still the counterpart of yours ; without a murmur , I resolved to follow you through chance and change , and though but feeble woman , I feel that with you by my side , I could , without a sigh or tear , bow down my neck to death , and my fondest hope would be , that we should meet again in some bright sphere where fadeless truth could give more perfect and unending proof of constancy and love .
" Hitherto I have allowed my deeds to speak my feelings , and think not , Maurice , I boast now , if for the first time I tell how much I love and fear , not for myself , but for our lovely boy . Are the sombre echoes of this dreary dungeon the fitting answers to his merry laugh ? Is this the school in which to educate the hope of two proud ancient houses ? How weakly must we both have utterly forgotten the heart-consoling lessons of our youth . Let your
thoughts run back with me , when in the old ivied church , we , side by side , read from the same book the words of holy prayer , and heard from pure and pious lips the hopeful promises to fallen man revealed ; how sweetly fell upon our ears , and sunk into our hearts , the Divine commands , that we should love each other ; that vengeance was God ' s alone , who , in his own good time , would raise the righteous and do justice to the wronged .
" I feel that for us this blessed time is come . I hail the sacred symbols on that seal as the harbingers of glad tidings , for I too am a Mason ' s child . I look on this Masonic letter as the instrument of God ' s providence in our behalf ; it seems a message from our fathers '
tombs , addressed to us through the medium of that ancient order they so much loved , and winch they knew we reverenced , next to our pure and holy faith , as the greatest power for good that man can " wield . "Let us then accept the happy omen , and fly from this abode ot misery ; there are other green and sunny lands where a De Courcy