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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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Provincial.
Avith great approbation by the brethren , and a committee ivas appointed for the furtherance of the object , ivhich , there is no doubt will be carried out in a manner worthy of the Craft . The Provincial and Craft lodges ivere afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where dinner ivas provided by Bro . Cheadle , of the Angel Inn , Oldham . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts ivere given and heartily
responded to . Bro . Croxton , P . S . G . D , East Lancashire , in proposing "The Health of Bro . Stephen Blair , Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , East Lancashire" said , the toasts which have been already proposed , although they carry our hearty feelings Avith them , are to some extent applied to those whom we only view with the Masonic eye . They are toasts of " The Healths of those that are Absentees . " The toast I have had entrusted
to me stands on a different foundation , for I am sure every Englishman ' s heart feels there is no place like home . I feel incompetent to do justice to this toast . This is not a time for flatterdug or adulation , but it is a time to show the Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire the esteem in AA'hich he stands in our eyes . A few iveeks ago I had the honour of being present at an assembly at the Freemasons' HallManchester—an assembly
, Avhich I believe has been unknown in Great Britain before , I speak under correction that so far as I have been able to ascertain , it has been unknown in Great Britain before , for the Right "Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to invite all the Worshipful Masters of the province to meet as friends around the social board . Right heartily did they come . The numbers ivere great , but I may safely say that the reception , the hearty Avelcome
they received , was fully equal to the occasion . His urbanity , his kindness , his gentle manly feeling are known to all present , and ive are all right glad to see bin . in Oldham upon such an occasion as this . Brethren , stand to your glasses . I ask you to drink " The Health of the Right Worshipful Grand Master of this Province , Bro . Stephen Blair . " I ask you to drink his health as our president this evening ; I ask you to drink his
health as " aline old English gentleman ; I ask you to drink bis health as our brother . Bro . Stephen Blair in responding said , I assure you this mark of your kind approbation is most pleasing to me . Brethren
you are aware that the chief interest I have in this world is in Masonry . Bro . Croxton has referred to being present at a meeting the other day . East Lancashire has got so large now thafc neither I or any other man could go round and visit tbe lodges as ought to be done , and he thought the best plan ivas to call that meeting . I knew what my duty was , I knew what to do ; but I could not do ifc . I therefore thought " Cannot I get the brethren to meet me instead of me meeting them ?"
That was the idea that struck me , and I assure Bro . Croxton and the brethren present on that occasion , that nothing ever gave me greater pleasure than to meet them around me at the festive board . I cau only tell you further brethren , that I feel much pleasure in being with you to day . I did not think I should have been able to come , but some how or other when the name of Masonry comes before me , if I only have a leg to
drag upon , I feel I must come . " The Masonic Charities" was most ably proposed by Bro . J . M . Nyke , Prov . J . G . W . ( East Lancashire ) , who remarked : I must pay a compliment to those who have drawn up this programme . It is the first programme Avhich I have seen ivhere " the Masonic Charities " occupy their proper position at our provincial grand meetings . It is usual to find the toast the eleventh or twelfth on the listbut here I find the good taste
, , the true Masonic feeling of the Oldham brethren , has placed it tho first toast after those which ive aro bound in all loyalty , in all honour , and in all pleasure to deal with the first . I thank the Oldham brethren for setting a lesson to the rest of their brethren , and to the provincial grand lodges Avhich will follow , as to the proper position of . the charities . What is the back bone of our order if it is not the Masonic Charities ? We are
no longer a society of architects , occupied in raising great buildings , or occupied in the various works for the benefit of mankind in general iu which our forefathers aud predecessors Avere engaged , but we are engaged in works which in their turn will bear comparison with any works attempted by those Avho have gone before us . We are engaged to the best of our abilities iu various charitable objects , iu maintaining au institution for the support and maintenance of the widows of destitute
brethren ; for the maintenance , education , and promotion in life of both boys and girls ; and I hope we are also stimulated in our duties by a still truer charity—a higher charity than
this , ivhich consists more often giving from the abundance with which Providence has blessed us , to support those who have unfortunately been left destitute ; but our ceremonies , laws , and constitutions teach also those grand lessons of true charity one towards another Avhich are so often forgotten in the world generally . Remember , in Masonry we have many excellent charges , which tell us to practice that true charity which is to speak well of brethren whether present or absent . You have
been informed that East Lancashire is first of all the provinces in the constitution of England . It is the first province in the number of its brethren , but I am ashamed to tell you that it is not the first province Avith regard to the charities . West Yorkshire has only tivo-thirds of the lodges and brethren , but it has given far more than we have . West Yorkshire can command the election of a candidate on any of the charities .
They have beaten us , and it is a burning shame for us that this should be so . Bufc , please God to spare my life , and give me heart , and hand , ancl voice , they shall not beat us long . In connection with the boy's school I may tell you that it is of all the charities that which most requires our support , and I , in conjunction ivith the Provincial Grand Master ivill appeal to you to support ifc sfcrongly . I hope ive ivill be able to present
such a list as will go far toivards putting that noble institution in a proper position , for at present it is very much hampered with debt . In order to build the noble institution Avhich exists at Wood Green , the trustees of the school have been obliged to borrow £ 10 , 000 on the mortgage of the building , and the interest , £ 500 a-year , cripples their energies very much indeed . Now , brethren , when I tell you that at the last election for
boys there ivere 31 candidates and only 9 could be elected , I bring before you a fact AA'hich is almost startling . If that £ 10 , 000 were paid off we could have elected 34 instead of 9—we could have made 34 homes glad , and placed 34 boys iu a position where they could bave been a credit to themselves and an honour to the Craft , instead of that paltry 9 . We must rid ourselves of the disgrace ivhich attaches to this state of things . At present we have 7 boys aud three girls in the school ; we have 7 annuitants receiving relief from the Royal Benevolent Institution . I have been to the boy's school more than once ; I have been to the girls' school several times , and every time I
go I am more pleased and satisfied that I am going amongst and spending my time and devoting my energies to a worthy object . Not' one of you has a boy at school where be is more cared for or has imparted to him truer principles of morality , honesty , and prudence , and everything tending to promote his interest in the world , than is received at the boys' school of ivhich I speak . The girls' school is equally well conducted . And there is a great point in connection with these schools
which we should never forget . When you go aud see tbe boys you find tbem clothed , and fed , and treated as any of you Avould wish your own boy to be . They are not degraded by any badge or distinction or anything to show that they are anything bufc what they really ought to be—your own nepnews , and the girls your own nieces—tbe children of your brethren who are no more . Now when you are asked to give , as I trust you will be asked ,
don't feel that you are giving charity ; don't feel thafc you are being asked to contribute simply from your superfluities for the support of some stranger in difficulties , but that you are giving money for that ivhich is one of your most sacred duties , namely , the support of the children of your deceased brethren , those Avho would doubtless have done as much in their life time for you . Look afc it in thafc light , and don't give it thinking " How
much can I give without feeling it at all ? " bub " How much can I afford to give without injurying myself and family ?" With regard to the Eoyal Institution you must remember that every single shilling you give goes direct to the object for which it ivas given . The expenses of the Secretary and so on of that society are far more than paid by the grant which is given by the Grand Loclge , so that your own money goes direct to the
object . At present we have seven , and next week we will have ten receiving something like £ 270 a year altogether from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Think what that sum represents . It represents £ 5 , 400 if it were invested at five percent . Have ive ever given that sum towards the Royal Institution ? No , not one half of it . When we hear facts like these we ought to ive liberallyand I hope when the subject is
g , brought before you at any time you will remember what I have said , ancl try to support those who iu their connection with the Masonic brethren , have worked hard ancl given time and money , and are willing to devote their energies to your service . I go to London three days next week iu connection with this matter .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
Avith great approbation by the brethren , and a committee ivas appointed for the furtherance of the object , ivhich , there is no doubt will be carried out in a manner worthy of the Craft . The Provincial and Craft lodges ivere afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where dinner ivas provided by Bro . Cheadle , of the Angel Inn , Oldham . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts ivere given and heartily
responded to . Bro . Croxton , P . S . G . D , East Lancashire , in proposing "The Health of Bro . Stephen Blair , Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , East Lancashire" said , the toasts which have been already proposed , although they carry our hearty feelings Avith them , are to some extent applied to those whom we only view with the Masonic eye . They are toasts of " The Healths of those that are Absentees . " The toast I have had entrusted
to me stands on a different foundation , for I am sure every Englishman ' s heart feels there is no place like home . I feel incompetent to do justice to this toast . This is not a time for flatterdug or adulation , but it is a time to show the Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire the esteem in AA'hich he stands in our eyes . A few iveeks ago I had the honour of being present at an assembly at the Freemasons' HallManchester—an assembly
, Avhich I believe has been unknown in Great Britain before , I speak under correction that so far as I have been able to ascertain , it has been unknown in Great Britain before , for the Right "Worshipful Provincial Grand Master to invite all the Worshipful Masters of the province to meet as friends around the social board . Right heartily did they come . The numbers ivere great , but I may safely say that the reception , the hearty Avelcome
they received , was fully equal to the occasion . His urbanity , his kindness , his gentle manly feeling are known to all present , and ive are all right glad to see bin . in Oldham upon such an occasion as this . Brethren , stand to your glasses . I ask you to drink " The Health of the Right Worshipful Grand Master of this Province , Bro . Stephen Blair . " I ask you to drink his health as our president this evening ; I ask you to drink his
health as " aline old English gentleman ; I ask you to drink bis health as our brother . Bro . Stephen Blair in responding said , I assure you this mark of your kind approbation is most pleasing to me . Brethren
you are aware that the chief interest I have in this world is in Masonry . Bro . Croxton has referred to being present at a meeting the other day . East Lancashire has got so large now thafc neither I or any other man could go round and visit tbe lodges as ought to be done , and he thought the best plan ivas to call that meeting . I knew what my duty was , I knew what to do ; but I could not do ifc . I therefore thought " Cannot I get the brethren to meet me instead of me meeting them ?"
That was the idea that struck me , and I assure Bro . Croxton and the brethren present on that occasion , that nothing ever gave me greater pleasure than to meet them around me at the festive board . I cau only tell you further brethren , that I feel much pleasure in being with you to day . I did not think I should have been able to come , but some how or other when the name of Masonry comes before me , if I only have a leg to
drag upon , I feel I must come . " The Masonic Charities" was most ably proposed by Bro . J . M . Nyke , Prov . J . G . W . ( East Lancashire ) , who remarked : I must pay a compliment to those who have drawn up this programme . It is the first programme Avhich I have seen ivhere " the Masonic Charities " occupy their proper position at our provincial grand meetings . It is usual to find the toast the eleventh or twelfth on the listbut here I find the good taste
, , the true Masonic feeling of the Oldham brethren , has placed it tho first toast after those which ive aro bound in all loyalty , in all honour , and in all pleasure to deal with the first . I thank the Oldham brethren for setting a lesson to the rest of their brethren , and to the provincial grand lodges Avhich will follow , as to the proper position of . the charities . What is the back bone of our order if it is not the Masonic Charities ? We are
no longer a society of architects , occupied in raising great buildings , or occupied in the various works for the benefit of mankind in general iu which our forefathers aud predecessors Avere engaged , but we are engaged in works which in their turn will bear comparison with any works attempted by those Avho have gone before us . We are engaged to the best of our abilities iu various charitable objects , iu maintaining au institution for the support and maintenance of the widows of destitute
brethren ; for the maintenance , education , and promotion in life of both boys and girls ; and I hope we are also stimulated in our duties by a still truer charity—a higher charity than
this , ivhich consists more often giving from the abundance with which Providence has blessed us , to support those who have unfortunately been left destitute ; but our ceremonies , laws , and constitutions teach also those grand lessons of true charity one towards another Avhich are so often forgotten in the world generally . Remember , in Masonry we have many excellent charges , which tell us to practice that true charity which is to speak well of brethren whether present or absent . You have
been informed that East Lancashire is first of all the provinces in the constitution of England . It is the first province in the number of its brethren , but I am ashamed to tell you that it is not the first province Avith regard to the charities . West Yorkshire has only tivo-thirds of the lodges and brethren , but it has given far more than we have . West Yorkshire can command the election of a candidate on any of the charities .
They have beaten us , and it is a burning shame for us that this should be so . Bufc , please God to spare my life , and give me heart , and hand , ancl voice , they shall not beat us long . In connection with the boy's school I may tell you that it is of all the charities that which most requires our support , and I , in conjunction ivith the Provincial Grand Master ivill appeal to you to support ifc sfcrongly . I hope ive ivill be able to present
such a list as will go far toivards putting that noble institution in a proper position , for at present it is very much hampered with debt . In order to build the noble institution Avhich exists at Wood Green , the trustees of the school have been obliged to borrow £ 10 , 000 on the mortgage of the building , and the interest , £ 500 a-year , cripples their energies very much indeed . Now , brethren , when I tell you that at the last election for
boys there ivere 31 candidates and only 9 could be elected , I bring before you a fact AA'hich is almost startling . If that £ 10 , 000 were paid off we could have elected 34 instead of 9—we could have made 34 homes glad , and placed 34 boys iu a position where they could bave been a credit to themselves and an honour to the Craft , instead of that paltry 9 . We must rid ourselves of the disgrace ivhich attaches to this state of things . At present we have 7 boys aud three girls in the school ; we have 7 annuitants receiving relief from the Royal Benevolent Institution . I have been to the boy's school more than once ; I have been to the girls' school several times , and every time I
go I am more pleased and satisfied that I am going amongst and spending my time and devoting my energies to a worthy object . Not' one of you has a boy at school where be is more cared for or has imparted to him truer principles of morality , honesty , and prudence , and everything tending to promote his interest in the world , than is received at the boys' school of ivhich I speak . The girls' school is equally well conducted . And there is a great point in connection with these schools
which we should never forget . When you go aud see tbe boys you find tbem clothed , and fed , and treated as any of you Avould wish your own boy to be . They are not degraded by any badge or distinction or anything to show that they are anything bufc what they really ought to be—your own nepnews , and the girls your own nieces—tbe children of your brethren who are no more . Now when you are asked to give , as I trust you will be asked ,
don't feel that you are giving charity ; don't feel thafc you are being asked to contribute simply from your superfluities for the support of some stranger in difficulties , but that you are giving money for that ivhich is one of your most sacred duties , namely , the support of the children of your deceased brethren , those Avho would doubtless have done as much in their life time for you . Look afc it in thafc light , and don't give it thinking " How
much can I give without feeling it at all ? " bub " How much can I afford to give without injurying myself and family ?" With regard to the Eoyal Institution you must remember that every single shilling you give goes direct to the object for which it ivas given . The expenses of the Secretary and so on of that society are far more than paid by the grant which is given by the Grand Loclge , so that your own money goes direct to the
object . At present we have seven , and next week we will have ten receiving something like £ 270 a year altogether from the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Think what that sum represents . It represents £ 5 , 400 if it were invested at five percent . Have ive ever given that sum towards the Royal Institution ? No , not one half of it . When we hear facts like these we ought to ive liberallyand I hope when the subject is
g , brought before you at any time you will remember what I have said , ancl try to support those who iu their connection with the Masonic brethren , have worked hard ancl given time and money , and are willing to devote their energies to your service . I go to London three days next week iu connection with this matter .