Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
to him . The brethren having adjourned to refreshment , a large party sat down to a most excellent repast , served in . the banquet hall of the lodge . " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Earl of Zetland , G . M ., and Officers of Grand Lodge , " and " The Health of Bro . P . M . Wright , and The AV . M . and Officers of the Lodge , " & c , had been duly given and responded to , the lodge separated at an early hour , highly pleased with what had been done .
WEST INDIES ' ANTIGUA . In celebration of St . John ' s-day , Dec . 27 , the members of the St . John's Lodgewith other unattached brethrenmet at the
lodge-, , room at ten o'clock , when a procession was formed , and headed by the musicians of the Rifles , proceeded up High-street to the Cathedral , were an appropriate and truly excellent sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop to a very large congregation , at the close of whicli a collection was made .
On the rettjrn of the brethren the lodge was opened , and after the installation of the Master Elect , Bro . Joseph Shervington , the following resolutions were unanimously curried -. —• " That the Lodge tender their acknowledgements to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese for his kindness in acceding to the solicitation of the Lodge in preaching a sermon this day . The members pray his lordship ' s acceptance of their best thanks for the very ableimpressiveand truly instructive discourse delivered
, , from the pulpit of the cathedral . " "That the Lodge feels grateful to the Venerable Archdeacon Clarke for his kindness in accommodating the members in the cathedral , when his Lordship the Bishop was pleased to grant their request by preaching an excellent sermon on this the return of St . John's-day ; and they offer to the A enerabie Divine their cordial thanks . "
" That copies of the above resolutions be enclosed to his Lordship the Bishop , and to the Ar enerabie the Archdeacon . " On retiring from the chair , Bro . Henry Bourne delivered the following address : —Brethren , you are aware that it is customary , on the retirement of the Master , he should address a few words to the brethren , preparatory to the installation of his successor . I must , therefore , pray your indulgence for a few minutes , as the duties of the afternoon will take up a large portion of our time . In
the first place , allow me sincerely to thank you for the support you have afforded me during the past twelve months , and to congratulate you on the properity of our lodge , which I principally attribute to the kind co-operation and assistance I have at ail times received from both officers and brethren . I need say but very little iu reference to the judicious selection you have made in electing Brother Past Master Joseph Shervington as Master for the ensuing year ; his attainments in Masonry and devotedness to the cause need
no comment—they are well known and appreciated by usall . To our highly esteemed bishop we are much indebted , for the able and eloquent discourse delivered this morning at the cathedral ; and I trust the principles and doctrines then laid down may long be remembered by all of us as a true andfaithfuiguide to our faith and practice : and while we are proud of the name Freemason , let us not forget that its object is to enlighten man and to teach him the knowledge of himself , and that he must search and see how best he
can fulfil the several duties which devolve upon him as a free agent . He alike abhors the slavery of mind and body , and , while all meet upon the level , they yet part upon the square . The end and endeavour of Freemasonry is to promote peace and goodwill through every portion of the habitable globe . It labours to make men what all should be—one universal brotherhood . The name Freemason seems to be but little understoodexcept among
, ¦ the Craft themselves ; still , its societies are found scattered throughout the globe . AA'herever intelligence , art , and science are to be met with , there the members of the fraternity recognise each other , and our glorious institution sheds its benign influence , endeavouring to subdue the worst passions of the human race , and to cultivate the Divine command , " Love one another . " That our Order is founded on sound , correct , and good moral principles , the length
of time it has stood against the prejudices of the world is a sufficient proof . The science is grounded on religion , virtue , and loyalty . Our institution is built upon , and venerates , the Sacred . A olume . A firm belief in the existence of the Eternal God , and a cheerful obedience to His laws , are the grand and leading requirements of the fraternit y . Its principles are benevolence and love ; its religion , purity and truth ; its intention , peace on earth ; and its disposition , goodwill towards men . Such , then , being the important principles of Freemasonry , and the foundation and groundwork of our noble Order , it behoves us strictly to adhere to its rules and regulations , ami , by so doing , we may confidently rely that the blessing of the
Great Architect of the universe will support and guide us in all our undertakings ; and , when our labours here are ended , we may confidently hope that our memories will be celebrated by love , on the durable monuments of eternity , and our reward in the calm , silent joy of heaven secured , from the hand of God , the Grand Master of us all . The new Master , after his installation , addressed the brethren
as follows : —Brethren , —Ten years ago , when the lodge unanimously elected me to the occupation of this chair , I felt myself honoured , and doubly so by their re-election on the expiration of my first term Of service ; and although I endeavoured to the utmost of my power , as you are aware , to pray your relieving . me from again assuming its occupancy when the proposition was made by our esteemed Immediate Past Master last month , such was the unanimity in lodge in refusing to accept any excuse from me , that
I felt constrained to bow to your wishes , and submit to your decision . "While it may be necessary for one , in whose hands the reins of control are placed for the first time , to make professions with regard to his administration , yet , in my case , I look upon such as quite uncalled for . It is to be presumed that my former course must have been acceptable to you , or you certainly would not have selected one to preside over your communications for the ensuing in whom you could not confide—I have
alreadyyear , served you , brethren , to the best of my ability , and will serve you still , to the ; utmost of my power . For your unanimous election , and seating me in this chair to-day , I pray you to accept my thanks , and the expressions of my gratitude . After the able and instructive address delivered to you by our highly esteemed immediate P . M ., itscarcelyrendersany comment with regard to the fraternity necessary on my part—nevertheless , I must encroach on a few moments of your time with a brief remark or
two . We have , brethren , a mission to perform , individually and collectively , and so long as the laws of that mission have been written by men of the most unquestionable piety , and recognised and followed by millions on our predecessors , and since they have been found fo work well , bearing good fruits , let us accept them as worthy of their promoters , in all veneration and faithfulness . Let us be satisfied that if we walk in the beaten paths of the recorded good and worthy Masons of oldwe shall dispose well of our time
, , and confer lasting benefits on our successors . AA e have not to dig deep into the heart of the earth for our treasures ; they lie on the surface , it may be said , for our acceptance . Masonry holds forth to the mariner , the compass ; to the artizan , the square ; to the stranger , a light ; to faithful subjects , good laws ; and to the brethren , the Bible—the compass to direct ; the square to adjust ; the light to reveal ; good laws to encourage ; and , though
last , the best—the Bible to guide us upwards . I have endeavoured to become acquainted with the principles of Freemasonry , and you , my brethren , by the installation of to-day , as well as from your past favours , have given your judgment on those exertions . But those exertions must , and would , have been ol no avail without the efficient support and assistance I have received , and trust still to receive , from the experienced members of the lodge . If those principles were more universal they would calm those angry storms
which often agitate society , and man would no longer be the bitter enemy of his fellow man . Let us , therefore , all endeavour to practice out of lodge those duties taught within it , and thus prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of Freemasonry , so that when any one is said to be a member of it , the world may know that he is one to whom the distressed may prefer its suit , to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrow , whose heart is guided by justice , and whose hand is extended by benevolence . Brethren , 11 we follow this course , and have full confidence in each other ,
" AVhen sorrowful tune comes o er us , if some kindred breast w share , And have faith in one another , we shall never know despair . ' The gratifying position of our lodge , as alluded to in the address of our valued late Master Bro . Henry Bourne , entitles him , for his zeal and able administration ( assisted by his officers ) to our increased gratitude . —He has , "however , been much too lavish towards me in the indulgence of his brotherly and friendly feelings , to which
his kindness prompted him . I know him too well to hesitate in making this declaration—that he is always the first to perceive the merits of others , and the last to perceive the merits of himself . Even in this day of buoyancy , brethren , we cannot but feel a depression of spirits at the recent loss of one , whose deserts held him dear iu tlie estimation of his Bro . Craftsmen . The lamented Past Blaster Charles Alexander was initiated in this lodge ou the 15 th day of December 1852 and received his Master Mason's degree on
, , the 25 th day of May , 1853—within that period , he served in various offices , was ultimately elected Master of No . 723— in all which [ stations , his zeal , his study of the principles of the Order , and benevolence of heart , rendered him an invaluable member ,-moreoverhe was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in the Mount
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
to him . The brethren having adjourned to refreshment , a large party sat down to a most excellent repast , served in . the banquet hall of the lodge . " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Earl of Zetland , G . M ., and Officers of Grand Lodge , " and " The Health of Bro . P . M . Wright , and The AV . M . and Officers of the Lodge , " & c , had been duly given and responded to , the lodge separated at an early hour , highly pleased with what had been done .
WEST INDIES ' ANTIGUA . In celebration of St . John ' s-day , Dec . 27 , the members of the St . John's Lodgewith other unattached brethrenmet at the
lodge-, , room at ten o'clock , when a procession was formed , and headed by the musicians of the Rifles , proceeded up High-street to the Cathedral , were an appropriate and truly excellent sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop to a very large congregation , at the close of whicli a collection was made .
On the rettjrn of the brethren the lodge was opened , and after the installation of the Master Elect , Bro . Joseph Shervington , the following resolutions were unanimously curried -. —• " That the Lodge tender their acknowledgements to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese for his kindness in acceding to the solicitation of the Lodge in preaching a sermon this day . The members pray his lordship ' s acceptance of their best thanks for the very ableimpressiveand truly instructive discourse delivered
, , from the pulpit of the cathedral . " "That the Lodge feels grateful to the Venerable Archdeacon Clarke for his kindness in accommodating the members in the cathedral , when his Lordship the Bishop was pleased to grant their request by preaching an excellent sermon on this the return of St . John's-day ; and they offer to the A enerabie Divine their cordial thanks . "
" That copies of the above resolutions be enclosed to his Lordship the Bishop , and to the Ar enerabie the Archdeacon . " On retiring from the chair , Bro . Henry Bourne delivered the following address : —Brethren , you are aware that it is customary , on the retirement of the Master , he should address a few words to the brethren , preparatory to the installation of his successor . I must , therefore , pray your indulgence for a few minutes , as the duties of the afternoon will take up a large portion of our time . In
the first place , allow me sincerely to thank you for the support you have afforded me during the past twelve months , and to congratulate you on the properity of our lodge , which I principally attribute to the kind co-operation and assistance I have at ail times received from both officers and brethren . I need say but very little iu reference to the judicious selection you have made in electing Brother Past Master Joseph Shervington as Master for the ensuing year ; his attainments in Masonry and devotedness to the cause need
no comment—they are well known and appreciated by usall . To our highly esteemed bishop we are much indebted , for the able and eloquent discourse delivered this morning at the cathedral ; and I trust the principles and doctrines then laid down may long be remembered by all of us as a true andfaithfuiguide to our faith and practice : and while we are proud of the name Freemason , let us not forget that its object is to enlighten man and to teach him the knowledge of himself , and that he must search and see how best he
can fulfil the several duties which devolve upon him as a free agent . He alike abhors the slavery of mind and body , and , while all meet upon the level , they yet part upon the square . The end and endeavour of Freemasonry is to promote peace and goodwill through every portion of the habitable globe . It labours to make men what all should be—one universal brotherhood . The name Freemason seems to be but little understoodexcept among
, ¦ the Craft themselves ; still , its societies are found scattered throughout the globe . AA'herever intelligence , art , and science are to be met with , there the members of the fraternity recognise each other , and our glorious institution sheds its benign influence , endeavouring to subdue the worst passions of the human race , and to cultivate the Divine command , " Love one another . " That our Order is founded on sound , correct , and good moral principles , the length
of time it has stood against the prejudices of the world is a sufficient proof . The science is grounded on religion , virtue , and loyalty . Our institution is built upon , and venerates , the Sacred . A olume . A firm belief in the existence of the Eternal God , and a cheerful obedience to His laws , are the grand and leading requirements of the fraternit y . Its principles are benevolence and love ; its religion , purity and truth ; its intention , peace on earth ; and its disposition , goodwill towards men . Such , then , being the important principles of Freemasonry , and the foundation and groundwork of our noble Order , it behoves us strictly to adhere to its rules and regulations , ami , by so doing , we may confidently rely that the blessing of the
Great Architect of the universe will support and guide us in all our undertakings ; and , when our labours here are ended , we may confidently hope that our memories will be celebrated by love , on the durable monuments of eternity , and our reward in the calm , silent joy of heaven secured , from the hand of God , the Grand Master of us all . The new Master , after his installation , addressed the brethren
as follows : —Brethren , —Ten years ago , when the lodge unanimously elected me to the occupation of this chair , I felt myself honoured , and doubly so by their re-election on the expiration of my first term Of service ; and although I endeavoured to the utmost of my power , as you are aware , to pray your relieving . me from again assuming its occupancy when the proposition was made by our esteemed Immediate Past Master last month , such was the unanimity in lodge in refusing to accept any excuse from me , that
I felt constrained to bow to your wishes , and submit to your decision . "While it may be necessary for one , in whose hands the reins of control are placed for the first time , to make professions with regard to his administration , yet , in my case , I look upon such as quite uncalled for . It is to be presumed that my former course must have been acceptable to you , or you certainly would not have selected one to preside over your communications for the ensuing in whom you could not confide—I have
alreadyyear , served you , brethren , to the best of my ability , and will serve you still , to the ; utmost of my power . For your unanimous election , and seating me in this chair to-day , I pray you to accept my thanks , and the expressions of my gratitude . After the able and instructive address delivered to you by our highly esteemed immediate P . M ., itscarcelyrendersany comment with regard to the fraternity necessary on my part—nevertheless , I must encroach on a few moments of your time with a brief remark or
two . We have , brethren , a mission to perform , individually and collectively , and so long as the laws of that mission have been written by men of the most unquestionable piety , and recognised and followed by millions on our predecessors , and since they have been found fo work well , bearing good fruits , let us accept them as worthy of their promoters , in all veneration and faithfulness . Let us be satisfied that if we walk in the beaten paths of the recorded good and worthy Masons of oldwe shall dispose well of our time
, , and confer lasting benefits on our successors . AA e have not to dig deep into the heart of the earth for our treasures ; they lie on the surface , it may be said , for our acceptance . Masonry holds forth to the mariner , the compass ; to the artizan , the square ; to the stranger , a light ; to faithful subjects , good laws ; and to the brethren , the Bible—the compass to direct ; the square to adjust ; the light to reveal ; good laws to encourage ; and , though
last , the best—the Bible to guide us upwards . I have endeavoured to become acquainted with the principles of Freemasonry , and you , my brethren , by the installation of to-day , as well as from your past favours , have given your judgment on those exertions . But those exertions must , and would , have been ol no avail without the efficient support and assistance I have received , and trust still to receive , from the experienced members of the lodge . If those principles were more universal they would calm those angry storms
which often agitate society , and man would no longer be the bitter enemy of his fellow man . Let us , therefore , all endeavour to practice out of lodge those duties taught within it , and thus prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of Freemasonry , so that when any one is said to be a member of it , the world may know that he is one to whom the distressed may prefer its suit , to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrow , whose heart is guided by justice , and whose hand is extended by benevolence . Brethren , 11 we follow this course , and have full confidence in each other ,
" AVhen sorrowful tune comes o er us , if some kindred breast w share , And have faith in one another , we shall never know despair . ' The gratifying position of our lodge , as alluded to in the address of our valued late Master Bro . Henry Bourne , entitles him , for his zeal and able administration ( assisted by his officers ) to our increased gratitude . —He has , "however , been much too lavish towards me in the indulgence of his brotherly and friendly feelings , to which
his kindness prompted him . I know him too well to hesitate in making this declaration—that he is always the first to perceive the merits of others , and the last to perceive the merits of himself . Even in this day of buoyancy , brethren , we cannot but feel a depression of spirits at the recent loss of one , whose deserts held him dear iu tlie estimation of his Bro . Craftsmen . The lamented Past Blaster Charles Alexander was initiated in this lodge ou the 15 th day of December 1852 and received his Master Mason's degree on
, , the 25 th day of May , 1853—within that period , he served in various offices , was ultimately elected Master of No . 723— in all which [ stations , his zeal , his study of the principles of the Order , and benevolence of heart , rendered him an invaluable member ,-moreoverhe was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in the Mount