Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
¦ were the many brethren in the ranks of the merchant princes to follow the example of the Lord Provost , and give a little more of their time and influence to advance the inrerests of the order .
ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE GLASGOW LODGES . The tenth annual festival of nil tho lodges in the Province of Glasgow was , uuder the patronage of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the auspices of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Glasgow , held in the City Hall on the 23 rd inst . There was a large turn-out of brethren , their wives and families . The Right Hon , the Earl of Rosslyn , M . AV . Grand Master Mason of Scotland , presided , supported on the right by Sir Michael Shaw Stewart ,
R . AV . D . G . Master ; Henry Inglis , of Torsouce , S . G . M . ; William Main , S . G . AV . ; Col . Campbell , J . G . AV . ; John Lawrie , G . G . Clerk ; The C . AV . M . Muller , G . D . M . ; H . Y . Copeland , Acting S . D . ; Murdoch M'Kenzie , C . G . M . ; AV . P . Buchan , G . S . ; AV . M . Bryce , Grand Tyler ; supported on the left by the R . AA . Bro . Montgomerie Neilson , of QueensluLl , Prov . G . Master of the Province of Glasgow ; the Hon . the Lord Provost ; Sheriff BellF . A . Barrow
, , D . P . G . M . ; Colonel Dreghorn ; D . Kinghorn , P . G . J . AV . ; Jas . AVallace , P . G . S . D . ; James B . AValker , P . G ., Treas . ; Archd . M'Taggart , P . G . Sec ; Robert Craig , P . G . B . B . ; James Leith , P . G . D . C ; Robert Robb , P . G . M . ; James Gillies , P . G . S . B . ; James Balfour , P . G . I . G . ; James Pollock , P . G . O . G . ; AVm . J . Hamilton , P . G , Convener . There were also present the following Masters of lodges : —Bros . John Baird , No . 3 bis . ; George Sinclair 27 ; George Macdonald 73 ; John Fraser 87 ; Thomas
, , , Halket , 102 ; Alexander Bain , 103 ; Thomas Granger , 117 ; John Matthieson , 178 ; I . Davidson , 219 ; AVilliam Philips , 275 ; Robert Mitchell , 332 ; Andrew M'Intyre , 333 ; George Thallon , 362 ; John Buchanan , 408 ; John Miller , 413 ; A . M'Dougall , 419 ; Matthew AVilson , 441 ; James M'Leod , 465 . The M . AV . G . M ., Lord Rosslyn , said—AVlien I first had the honour of an invitation to preside at this soiree , I was little aware of the greatness of the undertaking
which I had promised to fulfil . AVhen I see before me so vast an assemblage , and one I doubt not so critical , it is only the great position which I have the pleasure to occupy among masons that inspires me with courage at all to attempt to carry out the undertaking . But when I consider
that I am not only addressing Freemasons , but that I have upon this occasion the honour of addressing Freemasons' wives and bairns , I feel quite certain that the fairer portion of my audience will at all events be lenient to my efforts , and will give me the encouragement of which I stand so much in need . I have the honour to be placed in the high position which I now hold but a very short time , and it is my pride and privilege to assure you that it is the first public meeting at which I have had to
preside since my election to so important an office . I have visited the AVest because a whisper has reached me that the Freemasons of this quarter have sometimes felt that they did not see so much of the ruling powers iu the East as they would like to do . Let me assure you , if this complaint should for the future ever be uttered , I shall not , at least , be in fault , because not only the munificence which this great hall presents , but the heartiness of your receptionassures me that if wise men come
, from the east they go to the west . And now , upon what subject shall I address you ? The fact is that I had an idea that , as Grand Master of Scotland , I was to hold forth upon Masonic secrets which the ladies would never , at all events , be privileged to hear ; But I am very pleasantly undeceived , and I am glad to think that at a Masonic meeting , where I believo there are present none but Masons and those nearly connected with
them , I am able to speak to ears which are not entirely Masonic . If anybody has any credit in addressing those fairer portions of the Masonic body that I am in the habit of speaking to , it is myself ; because it happened to be my fate to be attending a Masonic meeting when I had the honour of giving an invitation to the Masons who were present to meet me that day twelvemonthat a place I havein the neihbourhood of Edinburgh
, , g , called Rosliu . It pleased Providence to spare our lives , and we all mot upon a beautiful summer's day , among scenery as beautiful as Scotland can produce , and when I say this , I speak of the most beautiful scenery in the whole world . But , however at the time of my fixing the invitation . it was said that the Masons would be glad to come . I said I would he glad to see them , but added , you must bring your wives aud daughters , as
I would be sorry to see the brethren without their wives , daughters , and sweethearts too . On that occasion they danced , and , I believe , enjoyed themselves . But I now see another meeting of the same kind , and I must be allowed in more serious tones to congratulate all the Masons of the western part of Scotland , who have done me the honour to meet me to-night , upon the splendid appearance they present . Their gathering would do credit to any country in the world ; and it is with a
feeling of pride that I now preside . I think at such a time as this , when our hearts must naturally feel for the great sufferings which are now undergone in many parts of the civilised world—when commerce and trade , which make a country prosperous and rich , are not only interrupted , but , what is of more importance , thousands of lives of men are being lost and family ties are torn asunder , I think , when we are enjoying the
blessings of contentment , peace , and even festivity—we cannot resist casting a thought to that terrible and almost unprecedented war which is now devastating the country of our nearest neighbours aud former allies . Upon the theatre of that tremendous struggle , not only the Masonic bond , but every social tie has been broken , and those whom we were wont to look upon as . happy brethren are now wounded , dead , or prisoners in a foreign country , or wandering destitute . It is at this time that Masonry
should be triumphant , and be ready to stretch forth a helping hand . The ties of Masonry are unloosened by no calamity , and in no soil . The craft is bounded by no sea ; it has no political or territorial frontiers ; but so far as the civilized world extends so far does the hand of Masonry reach . These sentiments , which receive your approval , are frequently echoed ; but it must be our duty and privilege to bring them down to
practical facts . I would recommend those foreign brethren and their families who have been rendered destitute , to your careful consideration aud affectionate friendship . Before sitting down , allow me to say that such meetings as this must inevitably do good , for they bring people peaceably , happily , and contentedly together , and invariably inculcate morality of every description . At a later stage of the evening , The R . AV . Bro . Montgomerie Neilson , P . G ., Master , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to all the friends and strangers who had
come to assist them at their annual festival . He congratulated his brethren present upon the fact that they had a representative from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Bro . Montgomerie Neilson mentioned the distinguished brethren by name , and sat down amidst loud applause . The Lord Provost said that whatever the object of this gathering was , he recognised a feature in it ontirely new to him . He saw in the company a large proportion of the fair sex , who were
quite excluded from participation in the secrets of Masonry . But he believed that the ladies had long recognised whatever there might be of forms and ceremony about Masonry , that the men who were Masons were ranch better than those who were not . He concluded from the great number of ladies present that Masons were more successful in love than the men who were not Masons . So far as he knew of Masonry he could recognise in it a great associated body of men having one common object
— an object of high benevolence and usefulness . A body which hail associated itself in this way needed perhaps to protect itself by certain rules , formulas , aud signs , in which all strangers had no right to participate , to the end that none should he able to trade upon the benefits of the association . All those mysterious things which he in his youth , and perhaps up till lately , assumed lo be awful , and to be something which should deter everybody from encountering them , were but the simple surroundings of a great benefit society , banded together , not only in this country , but all over the world for one common object and
one common good . Sheriff Bell had very great pleasure in being present . Al hough , as they were aware , he was not a profound Mason , yethe had much respect for so old and respectable a body as the Masonic Craft . It was many years since he was first admitted a member of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge , which he believed claimed for itself to be tho Mother Lodge of Scotland . He had the honour of being made a Mason on the same
evening along with the late Lord Dalhousie , who was then , as Lord Ramsay , a candidate for the representation of the City of Edinburgh . It appeared to his committee that he could not succeed in his canvas unless he became a Mason . Therefore , all Ids committee who were not Masons went with his lordship on that evening to the lodge in question , and then they were all ad-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
¦ were the many brethren in the ranks of the merchant princes to follow the example of the Lord Provost , and give a little more of their time and influence to advance the inrerests of the order .
ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE GLASGOW LODGES . The tenth annual festival of nil tho lodges in the Province of Glasgow was , uuder the patronage of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the auspices of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Glasgow , held in the City Hall on the 23 rd inst . There was a large turn-out of brethren , their wives and families . The Right Hon , the Earl of Rosslyn , M . AV . Grand Master Mason of Scotland , presided , supported on the right by Sir Michael Shaw Stewart ,
R . AV . D . G . Master ; Henry Inglis , of Torsouce , S . G . M . ; William Main , S . G . AV . ; Col . Campbell , J . G . AV . ; John Lawrie , G . G . Clerk ; The C . AV . M . Muller , G . D . M . ; H . Y . Copeland , Acting S . D . ; Murdoch M'Kenzie , C . G . M . ; AV . P . Buchan , G . S . ; AV . M . Bryce , Grand Tyler ; supported on the left by the R . AA . Bro . Montgomerie Neilson , of QueensluLl , Prov . G . Master of the Province of Glasgow ; the Hon . the Lord Provost ; Sheriff BellF . A . Barrow
, , D . P . G . M . ; Colonel Dreghorn ; D . Kinghorn , P . G . J . AV . ; Jas . AVallace , P . G . S . D . ; James B . AValker , P . G ., Treas . ; Archd . M'Taggart , P . G . Sec ; Robert Craig , P . G . B . B . ; James Leith , P . G . D . C ; Robert Robb , P . G . M . ; James Gillies , P . G . S . B . ; James Balfour , P . G . I . G . ; James Pollock , P . G . O . G . ; AVm . J . Hamilton , P . G , Convener . There were also present the following Masters of lodges : —Bros . John Baird , No . 3 bis . ; George Sinclair 27 ; George Macdonald 73 ; John Fraser 87 ; Thomas
, , , Halket , 102 ; Alexander Bain , 103 ; Thomas Granger , 117 ; John Matthieson , 178 ; I . Davidson , 219 ; AVilliam Philips , 275 ; Robert Mitchell , 332 ; Andrew M'Intyre , 333 ; George Thallon , 362 ; John Buchanan , 408 ; John Miller , 413 ; A . M'Dougall , 419 ; Matthew AVilson , 441 ; James M'Leod , 465 . The M . AV . G . M ., Lord Rosslyn , said—AVlien I first had the honour of an invitation to preside at this soiree , I was little aware of the greatness of the undertaking
which I had promised to fulfil . AVhen I see before me so vast an assemblage , and one I doubt not so critical , it is only the great position which I have the pleasure to occupy among masons that inspires me with courage at all to attempt to carry out the undertaking . But when I consider
that I am not only addressing Freemasons , but that I have upon this occasion the honour of addressing Freemasons' wives and bairns , I feel quite certain that the fairer portion of my audience will at all events be lenient to my efforts , and will give me the encouragement of which I stand so much in need . I have the honour to be placed in the high position which I now hold but a very short time , and it is my pride and privilege to assure you that it is the first public meeting at which I have had to
preside since my election to so important an office . I have visited the AVest because a whisper has reached me that the Freemasons of this quarter have sometimes felt that they did not see so much of the ruling powers iu the East as they would like to do . Let me assure you , if this complaint should for the future ever be uttered , I shall not , at least , be in fault , because not only the munificence which this great hall presents , but the heartiness of your receptionassures me that if wise men come
, from the east they go to the west . And now , upon what subject shall I address you ? The fact is that I had an idea that , as Grand Master of Scotland , I was to hold forth upon Masonic secrets which the ladies would never , at all events , be privileged to hear ; But I am very pleasantly undeceived , and I am glad to think that at a Masonic meeting , where I believo there are present none but Masons and those nearly connected with
them , I am able to speak to ears which are not entirely Masonic . If anybody has any credit in addressing those fairer portions of the Masonic body that I am in the habit of speaking to , it is myself ; because it happened to be my fate to be attending a Masonic meeting when I had the honour of giving an invitation to the Masons who were present to meet me that day twelvemonthat a place I havein the neihbourhood of Edinburgh
, , g , called Rosliu . It pleased Providence to spare our lives , and we all mot upon a beautiful summer's day , among scenery as beautiful as Scotland can produce , and when I say this , I speak of the most beautiful scenery in the whole world . But , however at the time of my fixing the invitation . it was said that the Masons would be glad to come . I said I would he glad to see them , but added , you must bring your wives aud daughters , as
I would be sorry to see the brethren without their wives , daughters , and sweethearts too . On that occasion they danced , and , I believe , enjoyed themselves . But I now see another meeting of the same kind , and I must be allowed in more serious tones to congratulate all the Masons of the western part of Scotland , who have done me the honour to meet me to-night , upon the splendid appearance they present . Their gathering would do credit to any country in the world ; and it is with a
feeling of pride that I now preside . I think at such a time as this , when our hearts must naturally feel for the great sufferings which are now undergone in many parts of the civilised world—when commerce and trade , which make a country prosperous and rich , are not only interrupted , but , what is of more importance , thousands of lives of men are being lost and family ties are torn asunder , I think , when we are enjoying the
blessings of contentment , peace , and even festivity—we cannot resist casting a thought to that terrible and almost unprecedented war which is now devastating the country of our nearest neighbours aud former allies . Upon the theatre of that tremendous struggle , not only the Masonic bond , but every social tie has been broken , and those whom we were wont to look upon as . happy brethren are now wounded , dead , or prisoners in a foreign country , or wandering destitute . It is at this time that Masonry
should be triumphant , and be ready to stretch forth a helping hand . The ties of Masonry are unloosened by no calamity , and in no soil . The craft is bounded by no sea ; it has no political or territorial frontiers ; but so far as the civilized world extends so far does the hand of Masonry reach . These sentiments , which receive your approval , are frequently echoed ; but it must be our duty and privilege to bring them down to
practical facts . I would recommend those foreign brethren and their families who have been rendered destitute , to your careful consideration aud affectionate friendship . Before sitting down , allow me to say that such meetings as this must inevitably do good , for they bring people peaceably , happily , and contentedly together , and invariably inculcate morality of every description . At a later stage of the evening , The R . AV . Bro . Montgomerie Neilson , P . G ., Master , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to all the friends and strangers who had
come to assist them at their annual festival . He congratulated his brethren present upon the fact that they had a representative from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Bro . Montgomerie Neilson mentioned the distinguished brethren by name , and sat down amidst loud applause . The Lord Provost said that whatever the object of this gathering was , he recognised a feature in it ontirely new to him . He saw in the company a large proportion of the fair sex , who were
quite excluded from participation in the secrets of Masonry . But he believed that the ladies had long recognised whatever there might be of forms and ceremony about Masonry , that the men who were Masons were ranch better than those who were not . He concluded from the great number of ladies present that Masons were more successful in love than the men who were not Masons . So far as he knew of Masonry he could recognise in it a great associated body of men having one common object
— an object of high benevolence and usefulness . A body which hail associated itself in this way needed perhaps to protect itself by certain rules , formulas , aud signs , in which all strangers had no right to participate , to the end that none should he able to trade upon the benefits of the association . All those mysterious things which he in his youth , and perhaps up till lately , assumed lo be awful , and to be something which should deter everybody from encountering them , were but the simple surroundings of a great benefit society , banded together , not only in this country , but all over the world for one common object and
one common good . Sheriff Bell had very great pleasure in being present . Al hough , as they were aware , he was not a profound Mason , yethe had much respect for so old and respectable a body as the Masonic Craft . It was many years since he was first admitted a member of the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge , which he believed claimed for itself to be tho Mother Lodge of Scotland . He had the honour of being made a Mason on the same
evening along with the late Lord Dalhousie , who was then , as Lord Ramsay , a candidate for the representation of the City of Edinburgh . It appeared to his committee that he could not succeed in his canvas unless he became a Mason . Therefore , all Ids committee who were not Masons went with his lordship on that evening to the lodge in question , and then they were all ad-