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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 2 of 4 →
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Provincial.
and fraternal feelings we entertain towards you personally , as also of our gratification on the deservedly high position you hold in masonry , and in recognition of the many and valuable services you have rendered to this lodge and masonry in general . Tbe W . M . added that they felt that the lodge was honoured hy Bro . Stebbing ' s distinguished position at the Board of General Purposes , and by the estimation in which he was held by so many members of Grand Lodge , and they were desirous by their
testimony , to exhibit how highly his own lodge and the brethren in Southampton esteemed and sought to honour him , In the selection of the jewel they wished him 'in Hodge to he reminded of their regard , and by tho salver to have a constant record at home . The W . M . then presented the address and salver , and adorned Bro . Stebbing with the past Master's jewel , the brethren warmly responding to the act aud accompanying toast of " Long Life , Health , and Happiness , to Bro .
Stebbing . " Admiral Sin Lucius CTJETIS , Bart ., begged to be allowed before the toast was given , to express his gratification at being present , and to add his testimony to the services of Bro . Stebbing , not only in that lodge but throughout the Province , and proceeded with great good feeling to support the high compliment paid by the lodge . The toast was drank with great enthusiasm and kindnessand
, the presents having been passed round the table and much admired , the W . M . called to order . BEO . STEBEING said he rose to thank them under much physical disadvantage , labouring , as he was , under a severe cold , as his hoarse and feeble voice would indicate , but how much more difficult than the utterance of words was the power to find those sufficiently fervent and grateful to express his deep sense
of obligation as well as gratification . He had over a long series of years enjoyed in that lodge some of the happiest hours of his life , and formed therein some of those enduring friendships that were in truth the charm of existence , so that he looked round with pride and pleasure , on the mutual confidence and esteem which masonic intercourse had inspired , and friendship truly entwined , yet these were mere social , though happy , ties and alliances which resulted from the pleasing and confidential associations which Masonry so essentially promoted , and therefore he had
m Ins own mind carried his reflections further For nearly thirty years he had been an active and somewhat zealous Mason ; for nearly twenty years be had been a constant attendant at and member of that lodge ; when half the former period had elapsed he should in the common course of things rest from his Masonic labours , should it please the beneficent Creator so long to spare his life and contemplate on the past , and therein realise the conviction of the utility of a large devotion of his time to
Masonry , and the benefit which such an institution as theirs was calculated to confer upon its member ; had he gained some social happiness and formed some lasting friendship , or had he done far more than that . Was Masonry more than social ty , or was it a glorious charity ever spreading influence over the minds of its members and , in its machinery , uplifting the weak and fallen , and endeavouring to restore to society the brother who had seen better days , or the widow of some brother whom
death had left without those means which he thought he had secured to her , and perhaps a scene he witnessed lust evening would best answer tho enquiries which these considerations brought before their minds . Last evening he had attended the Board of Benevolence of the Grand Lodge of England ; there was a numerous attendance of some of the leading Masons of the metropolis , his ( Bro . Stebbing's ) object being to support the application for helfor the widow of a lamented brotherlong
p , a valuable member of the principal lodge in that town ; he had died suddenly to their great grief for they all loved and respected him , and he had , by his life assurance , left something for his widow and children , and the brethren of Southampton aud of Hampshire had generously added nearly £ 100 to that provision of , the worthy brother ; the grave and the tomb erected by the brethren remained , all else but their sorrows had passed away ; no blame to the widow , but she was now penniless , yet £ 50
wouldjplace her oncemoreintheway to supportherself and family . She sought help from the Board and he had earnestly supported the poor widow ' s application , that sum was last night given with cheerfulness , with perfect unanimity , and he knew that he gladdened the heart of every brother when lie made the announcement ; but the widow ' s was not an isolated case . He sat at that Board and saw an amount of good effected that warmed his heart and made him proud of Masonry ; a better commentary on tho advantages of Masonry could not he cited than the
proceedings to which he referred . At that Board an application was made by an American , who came to England with competent means some two years since—so competent that with a generosit y characteristic of a genuine brother , he had for some kindness presented a masonic jewel to an English brother with whom he formed a personal and Masonic friendship ; and then with his means in hand , and remittances for which he had provided ere he left his native land , he happily passed his time in England .
The American difficulty , that has changed everything in the United States , and made even the rich poor , stopped his remittances , and left him helpless in England . Waiting for better times , hoping to get supplies over , he gradually became impoverished , and at length destitute . As a last hope he came to Grand Lodge , knowing that with the means of reaching his native land he should be at least free from want , and thus he urged his prayer . That day his passage was paid to New York
, and seven pounds given him , in cash , to meet some pressing necessities here , and to land him on the other side of the Atlantic with two or three pounds in his pocket . No one said was he a Federal or a Confederate ? No ; he was a brother and in want , and he went on his way rejoicing . But there was another case . A poor Frenchman , a man of talent , a musician , attracted by the Graat Exhibition of 1851 , who had come over
to England , and had an excellent engagement . He played upon a rare and not much used instrument , but attractive in a full orchestra , and greatly admired . Many of the brethren were astonished to find him so broken down ; but the nature of his special talent made his employment almost restricted to a few months in the year , and , a retiring , though highly talented man , he was less and less employed , till a bad season and bad health left him destitute , so for
subsistence , for love of home , his heart yearned for his native land j there he had friends , there he believed his troubles would cease . His anxiety will soon be over , the Board ordered his passage to France and some addition that will place him once again amongst his countrymen with more than one sovereign in his pocket and a warm recollection of old England in his heart . These were foreign brethren , for Masonry knows no distinction of race , nor any question of international feuds , neither does our institution know anything of politics , save to exclude it from our
lodges and never let it interfere with our benevolence . At the same meeting to which he alluded , was an application brought forward from a brother who not more than three or four year ' s since was the member in Parliament for one of the largest constituences in England ; he sat in Parliament with an income of one or two thousand a-year ;| in the changes and uncertainties of life he is now the supplicant to his friends and to his brethren for the means of emigrating to a British colony , with seven
children dependent ou him for support , a good sum was raised , but there was not enough , and when he came in to hear the decision of the Board he expressed his thanks for the kindness shown him , and left with a sufficient sum to enable him to leave his native land , and in a new struggle , and in a new sphere , again it is hoped realise an independence . And the case was full of interest , and tells a tale that warns us all of the uncertainty of riches , and the instability of all human greatness . A British
merchant who , not long since , was known to have possessed £ 12 , 000 , free from all liabilities , but with whom matters went wrong and all was lost , "but lost with so little to coiidemnibim that his friends found him £ 6000 more , but a continuance of misfortune again laid him low . From aflluence to destitution is sometimes a rapid path , and so it proved with him , he could no longer appeal to his friends , and yet with only £ 50 he has prospects of keeping himself from want and of supporting his family
once again ; he is in the prime of life , he has saved his character , and as the Board has recommended him to Grand . Lodge for a grant of £ 50 , it is hoped he will receive it once more , if not iu affluent , yet in somewhat comfortable circumstances , be spared the misery of destitution , and feel that Masonry is a reality and not a name . There was , however , another case , a sad and melancholy picture , aud one that saddened the heart of all , a distinguished brother , too ill to be
present , but whose name has been , in former years , a household word in Masonry , was lying helpless and destititute at ( he believed ) a public hospital ; one who had himself been a Life Governor of more than one of the Masonic Charities , who had , from his high social position , his wealth and talent , presided on two occasions at the Masonic festivals , and whose eloquence had for years charmed and instructed the members of Grand Lodgec and many , very many who were present at the Board of Benevolence bore testimony to his ever-ready help and eloquent
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
and fraternal feelings we entertain towards you personally , as also of our gratification on the deservedly high position you hold in masonry , and in recognition of the many and valuable services you have rendered to this lodge and masonry in general . Tbe W . M . added that they felt that the lodge was honoured hy Bro . Stebbing ' s distinguished position at the Board of General Purposes , and by the estimation in which he was held by so many members of Grand Lodge , and they were desirous by their
testimony , to exhibit how highly his own lodge and the brethren in Southampton esteemed and sought to honour him , In the selection of the jewel they wished him 'in Hodge to he reminded of their regard , and by tho salver to have a constant record at home . The W . M . then presented the address and salver , and adorned Bro . Stebbing with the past Master's jewel , the brethren warmly responding to the act aud accompanying toast of " Long Life , Health , and Happiness , to Bro .
Stebbing . " Admiral Sin Lucius CTJETIS , Bart ., begged to be allowed before the toast was given , to express his gratification at being present , and to add his testimony to the services of Bro . Stebbing , not only in that lodge but throughout the Province , and proceeded with great good feeling to support the high compliment paid by the lodge . The toast was drank with great enthusiasm and kindnessand
, the presents having been passed round the table and much admired , the W . M . called to order . BEO . STEBEING said he rose to thank them under much physical disadvantage , labouring , as he was , under a severe cold , as his hoarse and feeble voice would indicate , but how much more difficult than the utterance of words was the power to find those sufficiently fervent and grateful to express his deep sense
of obligation as well as gratification . He had over a long series of years enjoyed in that lodge some of the happiest hours of his life , and formed therein some of those enduring friendships that were in truth the charm of existence , so that he looked round with pride and pleasure , on the mutual confidence and esteem which masonic intercourse had inspired , and friendship truly entwined , yet these were mere social , though happy , ties and alliances which resulted from the pleasing and confidential associations which Masonry so essentially promoted , and therefore he had
m Ins own mind carried his reflections further For nearly thirty years he had been an active and somewhat zealous Mason ; for nearly twenty years be had been a constant attendant at and member of that lodge ; when half the former period had elapsed he should in the common course of things rest from his Masonic labours , should it please the beneficent Creator so long to spare his life and contemplate on the past , and therein realise the conviction of the utility of a large devotion of his time to
Masonry , and the benefit which such an institution as theirs was calculated to confer upon its member ; had he gained some social happiness and formed some lasting friendship , or had he done far more than that . Was Masonry more than social ty , or was it a glorious charity ever spreading influence over the minds of its members and , in its machinery , uplifting the weak and fallen , and endeavouring to restore to society the brother who had seen better days , or the widow of some brother whom
death had left without those means which he thought he had secured to her , and perhaps a scene he witnessed lust evening would best answer tho enquiries which these considerations brought before their minds . Last evening he had attended the Board of Benevolence of the Grand Lodge of England ; there was a numerous attendance of some of the leading Masons of the metropolis , his ( Bro . Stebbing's ) object being to support the application for helfor the widow of a lamented brotherlong
p , a valuable member of the principal lodge in that town ; he had died suddenly to their great grief for they all loved and respected him , and he had , by his life assurance , left something for his widow and children , and the brethren of Southampton aud of Hampshire had generously added nearly £ 100 to that provision of , the worthy brother ; the grave and the tomb erected by the brethren remained , all else but their sorrows had passed away ; no blame to the widow , but she was now penniless , yet £ 50
wouldjplace her oncemoreintheway to supportherself and family . She sought help from the Board and he had earnestly supported the poor widow ' s application , that sum was last night given with cheerfulness , with perfect unanimity , and he knew that he gladdened the heart of every brother when lie made the announcement ; but the widow ' s was not an isolated case . He sat at that Board and saw an amount of good effected that warmed his heart and made him proud of Masonry ; a better commentary on tho advantages of Masonry could not he cited than the
proceedings to which he referred . At that Board an application was made by an American , who came to England with competent means some two years since—so competent that with a generosit y characteristic of a genuine brother , he had for some kindness presented a masonic jewel to an English brother with whom he formed a personal and Masonic friendship ; and then with his means in hand , and remittances for which he had provided ere he left his native land , he happily passed his time in England .
The American difficulty , that has changed everything in the United States , and made even the rich poor , stopped his remittances , and left him helpless in England . Waiting for better times , hoping to get supplies over , he gradually became impoverished , and at length destitute . As a last hope he came to Grand Lodge , knowing that with the means of reaching his native land he should be at least free from want , and thus he urged his prayer . That day his passage was paid to New York
, and seven pounds given him , in cash , to meet some pressing necessities here , and to land him on the other side of the Atlantic with two or three pounds in his pocket . No one said was he a Federal or a Confederate ? No ; he was a brother and in want , and he went on his way rejoicing . But there was another case . A poor Frenchman , a man of talent , a musician , attracted by the Graat Exhibition of 1851 , who had come over
to England , and had an excellent engagement . He played upon a rare and not much used instrument , but attractive in a full orchestra , and greatly admired . Many of the brethren were astonished to find him so broken down ; but the nature of his special talent made his employment almost restricted to a few months in the year , and , a retiring , though highly talented man , he was less and less employed , till a bad season and bad health left him destitute , so for
subsistence , for love of home , his heart yearned for his native land j there he had friends , there he believed his troubles would cease . His anxiety will soon be over , the Board ordered his passage to France and some addition that will place him once again amongst his countrymen with more than one sovereign in his pocket and a warm recollection of old England in his heart . These were foreign brethren , for Masonry knows no distinction of race , nor any question of international feuds , neither does our institution know anything of politics , save to exclude it from our
lodges and never let it interfere with our benevolence . At the same meeting to which he alluded , was an application brought forward from a brother who not more than three or four year ' s since was the member in Parliament for one of the largest constituences in England ; he sat in Parliament with an income of one or two thousand a-year ;| in the changes and uncertainties of life he is now the supplicant to his friends and to his brethren for the means of emigrating to a British colony , with seven
children dependent ou him for support , a good sum was raised , but there was not enough , and when he came in to hear the decision of the Board he expressed his thanks for the kindness shown him , and left with a sufficient sum to enable him to leave his native land , and in a new struggle , and in a new sphere , again it is hoped realise an independence . And the case was full of interest , and tells a tale that warns us all of the uncertainty of riches , and the instability of all human greatness . A British
merchant who , not long since , was known to have possessed £ 12 , 000 , free from all liabilities , but with whom matters went wrong and all was lost , "but lost with so little to coiidemnibim that his friends found him £ 6000 more , but a continuance of misfortune again laid him low . From aflluence to destitution is sometimes a rapid path , and so it proved with him , he could no longer appeal to his friends , and yet with only £ 50 he has prospects of keeping himself from want and of supporting his family
once again ; he is in the prime of life , he has saved his character , and as the Board has recommended him to Grand . Lodge for a grant of £ 50 , it is hoped he will receive it once more , if not iu affluent , yet in somewhat comfortable circumstances , be spared the misery of destitution , and feel that Masonry is a reality and not a name . There was , however , another case , a sad and melancholy picture , aud one that saddened the heart of all , a distinguished brother , too ill to be
present , but whose name has been , in former years , a household word in Masonry , was lying helpless and destititute at ( he believed ) a public hospital ; one who had himself been a Life Governor of more than one of the Masonic Charities , who had , from his high social position , his wealth and talent , presided on two occasions at the Masonic festivals , and whose eloquence had for years charmed and instructed the members of Grand Lodgec and many , very many who were present at the Board of Benevolence bore testimony to his ever-ready help and eloquent