Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
the Tontme Hall , where between sixty and seventy dined , and spent tbe remainder of the day in the usual way of toasts , songs , speeches . & c , till the time arrived when the lodge was closed . The Edinburgh brethren and deputations were escorted to the train by the band and the Peebles brethren .
AYRSHIRE . MASOSIC FUITEBATJ LODGE . —Is MEMOET OF THE LATE BKO . Jorrsr STEVES ' . On AVednesday evening , the 21 st ult ., the brethren of St John's Lodge , No . 22 , held a funeral lodge in their lodge-room , George Hotel , in memory of the late Bro . John Steven , P . AI , and Deputy Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire . There was a large attendance , including deputations from the
other lodges in tbe district . E . AV . AI . Bro . 'Thomas Brown occupied the chair , supported by Bros . John Mackay , P . M . ; Hugh Eeid , S . M . ; Macintosh , 3 ; Shaw , E . W . 3 I . Sfc . Marnock's , 109 ; Tuvnbull , R . AV . M . St . Andrews , 126 ; D . Park , R . W . M . Stevenston Thistle , & c . Bro . Dixon presided at the harmonium , and played the " Dead March in Saul , " while the brethren were assembling . Bro . Nelson officiated as Chaplain . After the usual preliminary services
, R . AV . AI . Bro . Thomas Brown rose and ' said : —Brethren , I come now to the more immediate business of the evening , and I could have wished that one more qualified than I am had been appointed to discharge the duty which I have undertaken ; bufc however many my shortcomings may be , I know that I shall possess brotherly indulgence whilst I endeavour to speak of the worth of our lately-deceased brotherwho was for so many
, years the very backbone anel mainspring amongst us in observing and conducting the peculiar rites of our order ; and whilst pleading my inability to discharge the duties which I have willingly undertaken , no one , I am sure , has more feeling of respect and love for tho memory ol him who has been wrenched , from us in the prime of manhood and the very hour of his greatest usefulness . His varied talents , his generous brotherly
nature , his gentlemanly bearing , his love of truth , his manly , straightforward actions , render the task more difficult to speak of him as his memory deserves ; but , brethren , ifc teaches me to observe that there is also a sanctity surrounding his tomb which makes silence eloquent , and I ask myself the question in the language of the poet , — How strong at heart and sound in head , AVith what divine affections bold , Should be the man whose thought would hold One hour's communion with the dead ?
Called early to a learned and honourable profession , he soon gave ample evidence that a well-regulated and properly-balanced mind had been trained to discharge the duties incumbent upon it . His legal acumen , his strong sense of right and wrong " , chalked out the course which lie invariably tookthat of espousing tlie cause of right and justice ; and whilst he wrought earnestly for his client , be it mentioned with honour that he never prosecuted a case with the desire of persecuting
those in opposition to his settled convictions , nor did he make make the arena of bis profession ignoble hy any mode of chicanery or deception , His want of engrossing worldliness made him alike the friend of rich and poor , and forced upon us the fact of his disinterested nature be able , to look at humanity in its every form and feature as his special care ; and whilst adopting this liberal view of matters , he became respected as the staunch friend of all who hud the leasure ot coming into
p contact with him , so far as ever I have heard or known . Ho has left behind him a profound respect for his memory on the part of his professional brethren , and the kindly words which have been spoken of him by them are only , so to speak , the index of his title to their esteem and remembrance , I cannot ; brethren , enter into the happiness and comfort which surrounded his domestic affairs ; the privacy which it is our duty to observe in kindliness towards his widow and friends precludes me from
drawing the veil to intrude them upon your notice ; bufc I know you will pardon me when I say thafc it was a happy home , in which the mutual reciprocations of affection were exchanged . And how deeply should we sympathise with her whose life has now been so sadly beclouded in having lost for ever the lighht of her home and the joy of her heart . And yet , such is life . AVhen in the heyday of prosperity we think no change is near , and
Scotland.
may be arranging schemes fraught wifch considerations of future benefit to ourselves and those whom we love , the cold , silent finger of death is pointed at us , and shortly we are claimed as its victim . So sudden has the transition been in this case , that we cannot realise it ; we can scarcely trust ourselves to look at his empty chair , bereaved of him as we are to-night . It is not immediately when the silver cord is loosed or the bowl broken at the cistern that we feel all we have lost , but we will feel in
after years , when his prudence and sagacity would have guided and directed us , and might have piloted us through many a quicksand and difficulty , that his presecce would have done us inculculable benefit , that his absence will be deplored by all and we will then feel the void in our hearts at missing him whose mind and voiee Avould have been raised in the very essence of justice to plead our cause had it been virtuous . How much in an hour of social intercourse shall we miss him . His
manly form , his ringing laugh , his more than gentlemanly forbearance , are gifts which can never be exercised by him here again . His word Avhich could at once reconcile what might seem differences between friends could at once allay the impending storm . AVe all remember how he could step into the breach and with well-chosen words extend the hand of friendship to both , and whatever discord or fiery elements may have been indulged in , they were momentarily forgiven . Tbe Craft have
in him as a master suffered an ii reparable loss . His perseverance , his indefatigable ardour , which at once pointed him out as a man able to adorn and occupy the highest positions held in onr order , are matters which can never be realised ; and although it has been gratifying to all our feelings that he in his lifetime
held them , how much more does it swell our grief that he has gone and left us almost sorrowing as thoso that have no hope . Whilst pleading for respect to the memory of his virtues , let us never forget that all men are lifeless who are faultless . Let the sympathetic tear bathe tie grassy sward that haps him , and let that charity which thinks no evil draw gertly down tho curtain over his thoughtless follies . Nor shall we tarnish his memory by withholding the praise which his virtue demands .
Let our own human nature plead in his behalf . Let us mark in the man whatever was noble and upright , knowing well thafc perfection can never be attained in time , and whatever breakers may have dashed over him let us keep them in view so that we may ward against them and derive instruction from any weakness ; aucl to you brethren of our own Lodge , let us remember that we are here to educate our hearts , as he did , by deeds of love and to be the instruments of blessing to our fellow-men .
Our own days may be nearly spent , and there is an "infinite voice , " in the misery of human nature , calling for our assistance . Let us bestir ourselves for love's sake now , and let us from this lesson we have experienced iu the death of our beloved Brother learn that unless we labour earnestly it will soon be too late . Dark lodge , by which once more we stand , Here in the short and loomy street
g , Lodge where our hearts were used to beat So quickly waiting for his hand , AVe weep a loss for ever new A void which heart on heart reposed , Anel when warm hands have pressed and closed , Silence till we be silent too . The lodge was afterwards closed in due form .
Knights Templar.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .
SURREY . PEOvnfOiAL GEAND LODGE . On tho 24 th June . tbe Harcourt Encampment was held at the Alasonic Hall , Chertsey , under the command ofthe Eminent Sir Knight , AA ' . C . Smith , and had the honour to receive the Prov . G . Conclave , when the usual business was proceeded with , and the following appointments made by Very Eminent Sir Knight George Harcourt , Al . D ., the Grand Commander of the Province , viz
,. —Sir Knights AV . Blenkin , D . Prov . G . C ; E . S . Willet , Prov . G . Prior . ; W . G . Smith , Prov . G . Prelate ; J . Dyer , Prov . G . First Capt . ; R . W . Williams , Prov . G . Second Capr . ; AV . y . Harrison , Prov . G . Chancellor ; R . Farrau , Prov . G . Registrar ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
the Tontme Hall , where between sixty and seventy dined , and spent tbe remainder of the day in the usual way of toasts , songs , speeches . & c , till the time arrived when the lodge was closed . The Edinburgh brethren and deputations were escorted to the train by the band and the Peebles brethren .
AYRSHIRE . MASOSIC FUITEBATJ LODGE . —Is MEMOET OF THE LATE BKO . Jorrsr STEVES ' . On AVednesday evening , the 21 st ult ., the brethren of St John's Lodge , No . 22 , held a funeral lodge in their lodge-room , George Hotel , in memory of the late Bro . John Steven , P . AI , and Deputy Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire . There was a large attendance , including deputations from the
other lodges in tbe district . E . AV . AI . Bro . 'Thomas Brown occupied the chair , supported by Bros . John Mackay , P . M . ; Hugh Eeid , S . M . ; Macintosh , 3 ; Shaw , E . W . 3 I . Sfc . Marnock's , 109 ; Tuvnbull , R . AV . M . St . Andrews , 126 ; D . Park , R . W . M . Stevenston Thistle , & c . Bro . Dixon presided at the harmonium , and played the " Dead March in Saul , " while the brethren were assembling . Bro . Nelson officiated as Chaplain . After the usual preliminary services
, R . AV . AI . Bro . Thomas Brown rose and ' said : —Brethren , I come now to the more immediate business of the evening , and I could have wished that one more qualified than I am had been appointed to discharge the duty which I have undertaken ; bufc however many my shortcomings may be , I know that I shall possess brotherly indulgence whilst I endeavour to speak of the worth of our lately-deceased brotherwho was for so many
, years the very backbone anel mainspring amongst us in observing and conducting the peculiar rites of our order ; and whilst pleading my inability to discharge the duties which I have willingly undertaken , no one , I am sure , has more feeling of respect and love for tho memory ol him who has been wrenched , from us in the prime of manhood and the very hour of his greatest usefulness . His varied talents , his generous brotherly
nature , his gentlemanly bearing , his love of truth , his manly , straightforward actions , render the task more difficult to speak of him as his memory deserves ; but , brethren , ifc teaches me to observe that there is also a sanctity surrounding his tomb which makes silence eloquent , and I ask myself the question in the language of the poet , — How strong at heart and sound in head , AVith what divine affections bold , Should be the man whose thought would hold One hour's communion with the dead ?
Called early to a learned and honourable profession , he soon gave ample evidence that a well-regulated and properly-balanced mind had been trained to discharge the duties incumbent upon it . His legal acumen , his strong sense of right and wrong " , chalked out the course which lie invariably tookthat of espousing tlie cause of right and justice ; and whilst he wrought earnestly for his client , be it mentioned with honour that he never prosecuted a case with the desire of persecuting
those in opposition to his settled convictions , nor did he make make the arena of bis profession ignoble hy any mode of chicanery or deception , His want of engrossing worldliness made him alike the friend of rich and poor , and forced upon us the fact of his disinterested nature be able , to look at humanity in its every form and feature as his special care ; and whilst adopting this liberal view of matters , he became respected as the staunch friend of all who hud the leasure ot coming into
p contact with him , so far as ever I have heard or known . Ho has left behind him a profound respect for his memory on the part of his professional brethren , and the kindly words which have been spoken of him by them are only , so to speak , the index of his title to their esteem and remembrance , I cannot ; brethren , enter into the happiness and comfort which surrounded his domestic affairs ; the privacy which it is our duty to observe in kindliness towards his widow and friends precludes me from
drawing the veil to intrude them upon your notice ; bufc I know you will pardon me when I say thafc it was a happy home , in which the mutual reciprocations of affection were exchanged . And how deeply should we sympathise with her whose life has now been so sadly beclouded in having lost for ever the lighht of her home and the joy of her heart . And yet , such is life . AVhen in the heyday of prosperity we think no change is near , and
Scotland.
may be arranging schemes fraught wifch considerations of future benefit to ourselves and those whom we love , the cold , silent finger of death is pointed at us , and shortly we are claimed as its victim . So sudden has the transition been in this case , that we cannot realise it ; we can scarcely trust ourselves to look at his empty chair , bereaved of him as we are to-night . It is not immediately when the silver cord is loosed or the bowl broken at the cistern that we feel all we have lost , but we will feel in
after years , when his prudence and sagacity would have guided and directed us , and might have piloted us through many a quicksand and difficulty , that his presecce would have done us inculculable benefit , that his absence will be deplored by all and we will then feel the void in our hearts at missing him whose mind and voiee Avould have been raised in the very essence of justice to plead our cause had it been virtuous . How much in an hour of social intercourse shall we miss him . His
manly form , his ringing laugh , his more than gentlemanly forbearance , are gifts which can never be exercised by him here again . His word Avhich could at once reconcile what might seem differences between friends could at once allay the impending storm . AVe all remember how he could step into the breach and with well-chosen words extend the hand of friendship to both , and whatever discord or fiery elements may have been indulged in , they were momentarily forgiven . Tbe Craft have
in him as a master suffered an ii reparable loss . His perseverance , his indefatigable ardour , which at once pointed him out as a man able to adorn and occupy the highest positions held in onr order , are matters which can never be realised ; and although it has been gratifying to all our feelings that he in his lifetime
held them , how much more does it swell our grief that he has gone and left us almost sorrowing as thoso that have no hope . Whilst pleading for respect to the memory of his virtues , let us never forget that all men are lifeless who are faultless . Let the sympathetic tear bathe tie grassy sward that haps him , and let that charity which thinks no evil draw gertly down tho curtain over his thoughtless follies . Nor shall we tarnish his memory by withholding the praise which his virtue demands .
Let our own human nature plead in his behalf . Let us mark in the man whatever was noble and upright , knowing well thafc perfection can never be attained in time , and whatever breakers may have dashed over him let us keep them in view so that we may ward against them and derive instruction from any weakness ; aucl to you brethren of our own Lodge , let us remember that we are here to educate our hearts , as he did , by deeds of love and to be the instruments of blessing to our fellow-men .
Our own days may be nearly spent , and there is an "infinite voice , " in the misery of human nature , calling for our assistance . Let us bestir ourselves for love's sake now , and let us from this lesson we have experienced iu the death of our beloved Brother learn that unless we labour earnestly it will soon be too late . Dark lodge , by which once more we stand , Here in the short and loomy street
g , Lodge where our hearts were used to beat So quickly waiting for his hand , AVe weep a loss for ever new A void which heart on heart reposed , Anel when warm hands have pressed and closed , Silence till we be silent too . The lodge was afterwards closed in due form .
Knights Templar.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .
SURREY . PEOvnfOiAL GEAND LODGE . On tho 24 th June . tbe Harcourt Encampment was held at the Alasonic Hall , Chertsey , under the command ofthe Eminent Sir Knight , AA ' . C . Smith , and had the honour to receive the Prov . G . Conclave , when the usual business was proceeded with , and the following appointments made by Very Eminent Sir Knight George Harcourt , Al . D ., the Grand Commander of the Province , viz
,. —Sir Knights AV . Blenkin , D . Prov . G . C ; E . S . Willet , Prov . G . Prior . ; W . G . Smith , Prov . G . Prelate ; J . Dyer , Prov . G . First Capt . ; R . W . Williams , Prov . G . Second Capr . ; AV . y . Harrison , Prov . G . Chancellor ; R . Farrau , Prov . G . Registrar ;