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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 5 of 7 →
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Provincial.
adjusting them by the perfect ashlar , the great example , even the Lord Jesus Christ , with patience and industry preparing for a higher degree . Master JAlasons , are you truly searching for that which was lost—instructing the ignorant , supporting the weak , comforting the afflicted , defending the fatherless , and guarding the widow—more and more steadfastly fixing your eyes on the bright morning star , striving more and more to represent Him who liveth and was dead , and is alive for evermore ?
Companions of the Arch , are you uplifting that AA'hich was fallen , restoring the ruined shrine , repairing the scattered walls , using aright that knowledge which , long hidden , has at last been revealed , and striving so to overcome , that God may make yon pillars in His holy temple , and write upon you his new name ? Soldiers of the Temple , have ye put on the whole armour of God , to wage holy warfare against the enemies of tbe Faith , and to > r guard the footsteps of the pilgrims to Zionthat none should
, stumble and go astray ? Brethren , one and all , all your store cometh of God ' s hand , and is all His , and of His own we are giving Him . Up and be'doing . AVork while it is yet day , the night cometh when no man can work . Alas ! beloved , our shortcomings , our sins , negligoncies , and ignorances are so manifold , that even the best of us are not so much like labourers drawing tbe materials for this work from the rich store-bouse of David , as that band of returning captives who rebuilt the
sanctuary so shorn of its beauty , and minished in its splendour , that those who remembered the old rather wept than rejoiced over the new . Yet even thus the voice of God soundeth in our ears : " Who is there among you of my people ? Let him go up . Be strong now 0 Zerubbabel saith the Lord , and be strong 0 Joshua , the son of Jonedeth the High Priest , and be stvong all ye people of the land , and work , for I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts . According to the word I have covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt , so my spirit remaineth among you ; fear ye not . For thus saith the Lord of Hosts ; yet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens , and the earth ,
and the sea , and the dry land , and I -will shake the nations , and the desire of all nations shall come ; and I will fill this House with glory saith the Lord of Hosts . The silver is mine and the gold is mine saith the Lord of Hosts . The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the glory of the former saith the Lord of Hosts . " To intend , indeed , to bring to the work , wasted power and squandered treasures , to offer anything short of all we have and areourselvesour souls and bodiesis robbery
, , , , thanklessness , withdrawal of ourselves from Christ , keeping back part of the price of His blood . But to offer Him the days of life when it is all we have to offer , to offer our wasted selves to Him when all the best is gone , this is an acceptable gift to Him Avho bade them gather up the fragments that remain , that nothing may be lost ; yea , it is what He vouchsafes to call His own sacrifice , for it is written the " sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit :
a broken or a contrite heart , 0 God , thou will not despise . " Up , then , and be doing nothing ; else lingers , time is sweeping by , eternity is hastening on . If your work is not groiving , it is so surely being wasted . Too much time we all of us have lost already . Only work , looking to the Divine G . M ., the Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the end ;' if the burden of your task be heavy , Ho will bear it for you . If the sun of this world scorches youHe will be a cloud to shade you ; if you thirstHe
, , will be a stream to cool you ; in slippery places He will uphold you with the right hand of his righteousness . Choose with steadfast hearts Him who bath chosen you ; love Him who hath loved you , and He will be in life your strength whereon to labour , in death your pillow wbeieon to repose ; in all eternity Avith the Father and the Holy Ghost , your exceeding great reward . — Miss Havdacre ably presided at the organ , and the musical services were very effective .
Collections were made in the lodge room and in the church -on behalf of the funds of the East Suffolk Hospital , when the sum of £ 10 was realised . After service the brethren returned in procession , and the lodge v .-as closed .
THE FESTIVAL . The brethren afterwards adjourned to dinner , over which the Prov . G . M . presided . Grace having been said by the Prov . G . Chap ., The PEOV . G . MASTEE rose and gave " The Health of Her Majesty the Queen , " which was duly honoured hy the brethren present . Next followed the toast of "The Prince and Princess of AVales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " Avhich was received with three times three cheers .
The PEOV . G . MASTEE shortly afterwards rose and gave " The first Mason in England , the M . VV . the Earl of Zetland , G . M . of all England , " who was an excellent Mason and a man with , the largest sympathies . Drank with full Masonic honours . The next toast was " The Prov . D . G . M ., the Earl de Grey and Ripon , the Past and Present Officers of Grand Lodge , uniting with the toast the name of Bro . Benjamin Head , Gr . D . "
Drank with full honours . Bro . BENJAMIN HEAD , G . D ., in responding to the toast of tbe D . G . M . and Grand Officers , said he thanked them sincerely for the honour they had conferred upon the Officers of the Grand Lodge . No remark was necessary from him with regard to the D . G . M ., for all Masons knew his worth . ( Hear , hear . ) And as to the Past and Present Officers , from Ids intimate knowledge of them , he was assured they bad always done their duty , and
would continue to do it . They were determined to act assiduously in the due discharge of those great duties which devolved upon them . ( Applause . ) Those duties took up a great deal of time , but they willingly gave that time for the good of Masonry . Having briefly referred to the great question now before the Grand Lodge , namely , the property belonging to the Grand Lodge , Bro . Head said great interest was nowtaken in a question which he thought closely concerned them
all , namely , a place or home where all Masons might meet and partake of those privileges which ivere enjoyed by other great bodies in the kingdom . ( Applause . ) He thought Masons ought to have such a place where brethren could meet each other—a kind of rendezvous in fact for Masons all over England . ( Hear , hear . ) Having been entrusted with tbe gavel , he begged to propose to them a toast . It Avas " The Health of their Prov . G . M . " ( Loud and continued applause . ) During the time
that lie ( Bro . Head ) had been connected with Masonry , he had been present at the installation of four Prov . G . M . ' s for Suffolk ; but he hoped this was the last . ( Hear , hear . ) They all know him , and he felt they could not help loving him as much as lie did . Nothing that ho could say respecting their Prov . G . M . would be new to them , or could it increase that kind feeling with which lie knew they regarded him both as a man and as a Mason . ( Loud applause . ) He therefore called upon them to drink , with full Masonic honours , the health of their Prov . G . M ., Colonel Adair .
Drank with full lionours . The PEOV . G . MASTEE replied . He said he rose with feelings of much gratitude to thank them all for the flattering manner in which they had received the toast . He was one of those who thought there was something more than the ordinary connexions of the world between Masons . —( hear , hear . )—a sympathy in the shape of their approbation which Avas always given to those who pursued a course of conduct approving that which was right .
( Hear hear . ) As he had said on several occasions , as a Mason , they must judge him by his works . He felt very much their kind expression of feeling towards himself . In reference to the Charities the Prov . G . M . said it was exceedingly gratifying to find that their Charities had been so successful in the province of Suffolk . He was exceedingly glad to find that in the province Masonry was increasingnot onlin the numbers of new lodges ,
, y but the old lodges had very much increased their number of members . This was very gratifying to him . AVith regard to holding the Provincial Grand Lodge ho proposed that for the future the meeting should be held in Ipswich every three years . ( Hear hear . ) That however was a matter for further considertion . He thought they were much indebted to tbe brethren of the town of Hadleigh for their kindness , and for the excellent
preparation made for holding the meeting . He proposed that the next Provincial Grand Lodge should be held in Ipswich , and then it might be Ipswich every third year . Other localities also would have considerations . He had great pleasure in thanking them for the attention paid to all his messages and communications , and the ready assistance he had received from them . His great desire was to give evevy attention to everything Avhich Avas laid before him for the spread
of Masonry . ( Applause . ) Again he thanked them for their kind expression of regard . ( Applause . ) The Prov . G . MASTEE shortly afterwards rose and Said the toast which bo was about to propose Avas an important one . It was the " Health of tho Prov . G . AVardens , Bros . Townsend and Robinson . ( Drunk with much applause . ) Bro . TOAVXSEND , Prov . G . S . AV ., in reply , said he thanked the Prov . G . M . for the honour he had done him in placing him in so high and exalted a position . Bro . B . Piead had stated that he had
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
adjusting them by the perfect ashlar , the great example , even the Lord Jesus Christ , with patience and industry preparing for a higher degree . Master JAlasons , are you truly searching for that which was lost—instructing the ignorant , supporting the weak , comforting the afflicted , defending the fatherless , and guarding the widow—more and more steadfastly fixing your eyes on the bright morning star , striving more and more to represent Him who liveth and was dead , and is alive for evermore ?
Companions of the Arch , are you uplifting that AA'hich was fallen , restoring the ruined shrine , repairing the scattered walls , using aright that knowledge which , long hidden , has at last been revealed , and striving so to overcome , that God may make yon pillars in His holy temple , and write upon you his new name ? Soldiers of the Temple , have ye put on the whole armour of God , to wage holy warfare against the enemies of tbe Faith , and to > r guard the footsteps of the pilgrims to Zionthat none should
, stumble and go astray ? Brethren , one and all , all your store cometh of God ' s hand , and is all His , and of His own we are giving Him . Up and be'doing . AVork while it is yet day , the night cometh when no man can work . Alas ! beloved , our shortcomings , our sins , negligoncies , and ignorances are so manifold , that even the best of us are not so much like labourers drawing tbe materials for this work from the rich store-bouse of David , as that band of returning captives who rebuilt the
sanctuary so shorn of its beauty , and minished in its splendour , that those who remembered the old rather wept than rejoiced over the new . Yet even thus the voice of God soundeth in our ears : " Who is there among you of my people ? Let him go up . Be strong now 0 Zerubbabel saith the Lord , and be strong 0 Joshua , the son of Jonedeth the High Priest , and be stvong all ye people of the land , and work , for I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts . According to the word I have covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt , so my spirit remaineth among you ; fear ye not . For thus saith the Lord of Hosts ; yet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens , and the earth ,
and the sea , and the dry land , and I -will shake the nations , and the desire of all nations shall come ; and I will fill this House with glory saith the Lord of Hosts . The silver is mine and the gold is mine saith the Lord of Hosts . The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the glory of the former saith the Lord of Hosts . " To intend , indeed , to bring to the work , wasted power and squandered treasures , to offer anything short of all we have and areourselvesour souls and bodiesis robbery
, , , , thanklessness , withdrawal of ourselves from Christ , keeping back part of the price of His blood . But to offer Him the days of life when it is all we have to offer , to offer our wasted selves to Him when all the best is gone , this is an acceptable gift to Him Avho bade them gather up the fragments that remain , that nothing may be lost ; yea , it is what He vouchsafes to call His own sacrifice , for it is written the " sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit :
a broken or a contrite heart , 0 God , thou will not despise . " Up , then , and be doing nothing ; else lingers , time is sweeping by , eternity is hastening on . If your work is not groiving , it is so surely being wasted . Too much time we all of us have lost already . Only work , looking to the Divine G . M ., the Alpha and Omega , the beginning and the end ;' if the burden of your task be heavy , Ho will bear it for you . If the sun of this world scorches youHe will be a cloud to shade you ; if you thirstHe
, , will be a stream to cool you ; in slippery places He will uphold you with the right hand of his righteousness . Choose with steadfast hearts Him who bath chosen you ; love Him who hath loved you , and He will be in life your strength whereon to labour , in death your pillow wbeieon to repose ; in all eternity Avith the Father and the Holy Ghost , your exceeding great reward . — Miss Havdacre ably presided at the organ , and the musical services were very effective .
Collections were made in the lodge room and in the church -on behalf of the funds of the East Suffolk Hospital , when the sum of £ 10 was realised . After service the brethren returned in procession , and the lodge v .-as closed .
THE FESTIVAL . The brethren afterwards adjourned to dinner , over which the Prov . G . M . presided . Grace having been said by the Prov . G . Chap ., The PEOV . G . MASTEE rose and gave " The Health of Her Majesty the Queen , " which was duly honoured hy the brethren present . Next followed the toast of "The Prince and Princess of AVales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " Avhich was received with three times three cheers .
The PEOV . G . MASTEE shortly afterwards rose and gave " The first Mason in England , the M . VV . the Earl of Zetland , G . M . of all England , " who was an excellent Mason and a man with , the largest sympathies . Drank with full Masonic honours . The next toast was " The Prov . D . G . M ., the Earl de Grey and Ripon , the Past and Present Officers of Grand Lodge , uniting with the toast the name of Bro . Benjamin Head , Gr . D . "
Drank with full honours . Bro . BENJAMIN HEAD , G . D ., in responding to the toast of tbe D . G . M . and Grand Officers , said he thanked them sincerely for the honour they had conferred upon the Officers of the Grand Lodge . No remark was necessary from him with regard to the D . G . M ., for all Masons knew his worth . ( Hear , hear . ) And as to the Past and Present Officers , from Ids intimate knowledge of them , he was assured they bad always done their duty , and
would continue to do it . They were determined to act assiduously in the due discharge of those great duties which devolved upon them . ( Applause . ) Those duties took up a great deal of time , but they willingly gave that time for the good of Masonry . Having briefly referred to the great question now before the Grand Lodge , namely , the property belonging to the Grand Lodge , Bro . Head said great interest was nowtaken in a question which he thought closely concerned them
all , namely , a place or home where all Masons might meet and partake of those privileges which ivere enjoyed by other great bodies in the kingdom . ( Applause . ) He thought Masons ought to have such a place where brethren could meet each other—a kind of rendezvous in fact for Masons all over England . ( Hear , hear . ) Having been entrusted with tbe gavel , he begged to propose to them a toast . It Avas " The Health of their Prov . G . M . " ( Loud and continued applause . ) During the time
that lie ( Bro . Head ) had been connected with Masonry , he had been present at the installation of four Prov . G . M . ' s for Suffolk ; but he hoped this was the last . ( Hear , hear . ) They all know him , and he felt they could not help loving him as much as lie did . Nothing that ho could say respecting their Prov . G . M . would be new to them , or could it increase that kind feeling with which lie knew they regarded him both as a man and as a Mason . ( Loud applause . ) He therefore called upon them to drink , with full Masonic honours , the health of their Prov . G . M ., Colonel Adair .
Drank with full lionours . The PEOV . G . MASTEE replied . He said he rose with feelings of much gratitude to thank them all for the flattering manner in which they had received the toast . He was one of those who thought there was something more than the ordinary connexions of the world between Masons . —( hear , hear . )—a sympathy in the shape of their approbation which Avas always given to those who pursued a course of conduct approving that which was right .
( Hear hear . ) As he had said on several occasions , as a Mason , they must judge him by his works . He felt very much their kind expression of feeling towards himself . In reference to the Charities the Prov . G . M . said it was exceedingly gratifying to find that their Charities had been so successful in the province of Suffolk . He was exceedingly glad to find that in the province Masonry was increasingnot onlin the numbers of new lodges ,
, y but the old lodges had very much increased their number of members . This was very gratifying to him . AVith regard to holding the Provincial Grand Lodge ho proposed that for the future the meeting should be held in Ipswich every three years . ( Hear hear . ) That however was a matter for further considertion . He thought they were much indebted to tbe brethren of the town of Hadleigh for their kindness , and for the excellent
preparation made for holding the meeting . He proposed that the next Provincial Grand Lodge should be held in Ipswich , and then it might be Ipswich every third year . Other localities also would have considerations . He had great pleasure in thanking them for the attention paid to all his messages and communications , and the ready assistance he had received from them . His great desire was to give evevy attention to everything Avhich Avas laid before him for the spread
of Masonry . ( Applause . ) Again he thanked them for their kind expression of regard . ( Applause . ) The Prov . G . MASTEE shortly afterwards rose and Said the toast which bo was about to propose Avas an important one . It was the " Health of tho Prov . G . AVardens , Bros . Townsend and Robinson . ( Drunk with much applause . ) Bro . TOAVXSEND , Prov . G . S . AV ., in reply , said he thanked the Prov . G . M . for the honour he had done him in placing him in so high and exalted a position . Bro . B . Piead had stated that he had