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Article AN ORATION ← Page 4 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration
him , and at an hour which we probably conclude to be the meridian of our existence . " AVhat are all the externals of majesty , the pride of wealth , or charms of beauty , when nature has paid her just debt ? If for a moment we throw our eyes on the last scene , and view life stript of its ornaments and exposed in its natural meanness , we shall then be convinced of the futility of these empty delusions . In the grave all fallacies are detected , all ranks levelled ,
and all distinctions are done away . " Our deceased Brother CARPENTER was a man whom you all knew and highly respected . His character stood high in the Craft as a diligent , prudent , discreet , virtuous , zealous , and indefatigable member of our society . He was a man with less of the common failings of humanity than any I ever knewit is leasing taskthereforenot to solicit charity
; my p , , your to throw a veil over his foibles—not to plead any apology for frailties . Doubtless he felt in his own breast ( for who does not ?) that he was not exempted from the ordinary imperfections of human nature ; I say it is my pleasing task to hold up his conduct for the approval of every good and virtuous mind ; to set forth his virtues as a pattern for imitation ; may we be stimulated by his example to a stricter and more careful
performance of our duties , both as men and masons . My first acquaintance with our deceased Brother commenced about nineteen years ago , when I was introduced by him to the notice of the Brethren of the Mount Lebanon Lodge , at a period when his valuable exertions mainly contributed to the support and upholding of that ancient and respectable Lodge . We used at that time frequently to meet for instruction in our lectures and ceremonies ; and I look back , not only without regret but
with pleasure , to that period as tbe happiest of my life . How often , when fatigued with the cares of the world , have we looked forwards to the meetings of the Lodge as a relaxation from the toils of business ! There we have been welcomed by old and well-known friends ; there the friendly pressure of the hand , the benevolent smile of recognition , the warm welcome of friendship awaited us ; there , free from religious or political differences , we could enjoy the feast of reason and the flow of
soul . I can truly say , that my conscience does not reproach me for the time spent in those meetings , at which intellectual improvement was always blended with the purest feelings of friendship and benevolence .
Oh my departed Brother ! I am distressed for thee ; very pleasant was thy society to me ! When I look back upon the past , and reflect upon the many pleasant hours of social intercourse we spent together , when , as a father in Masonry , I received thy instructions in the paths of truth and virtue , my heart sinks within me at the thought that those hours are gone past recall—or only to be recalled by busy meddling memory . Peace be with thy ashes !
Our deceased Brother was initiated into Freemasonry on the 13 th of October , 1811 , in the Britannia Lodge ( then No . 309 ) , held at Hoxton : he was also an active member for many years in the Euphrates Lodge , formerly held by warrant from the Grand Lodge of England as a Military Lodge , and attached to the Staff of the Royal West London Militia , whicli regiment at that time was stationed at Greenwich : he served all the offices , and was several times elected Master of that Lodge , and ol"
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Oration
him , and at an hour which we probably conclude to be the meridian of our existence . " AVhat are all the externals of majesty , the pride of wealth , or charms of beauty , when nature has paid her just debt ? If for a moment we throw our eyes on the last scene , and view life stript of its ornaments and exposed in its natural meanness , we shall then be convinced of the futility of these empty delusions . In the grave all fallacies are detected , all ranks levelled ,
and all distinctions are done away . " Our deceased Brother CARPENTER was a man whom you all knew and highly respected . His character stood high in the Craft as a diligent , prudent , discreet , virtuous , zealous , and indefatigable member of our society . He was a man with less of the common failings of humanity than any I ever knewit is leasing taskthereforenot to solicit charity
; my p , , your to throw a veil over his foibles—not to plead any apology for frailties . Doubtless he felt in his own breast ( for who does not ?) that he was not exempted from the ordinary imperfections of human nature ; I say it is my pleasing task to hold up his conduct for the approval of every good and virtuous mind ; to set forth his virtues as a pattern for imitation ; may we be stimulated by his example to a stricter and more careful
performance of our duties , both as men and masons . My first acquaintance with our deceased Brother commenced about nineteen years ago , when I was introduced by him to the notice of the Brethren of the Mount Lebanon Lodge , at a period when his valuable exertions mainly contributed to the support and upholding of that ancient and respectable Lodge . We used at that time frequently to meet for instruction in our lectures and ceremonies ; and I look back , not only without regret but
with pleasure , to that period as tbe happiest of my life . How often , when fatigued with the cares of the world , have we looked forwards to the meetings of the Lodge as a relaxation from the toils of business ! There we have been welcomed by old and well-known friends ; there the friendly pressure of the hand , the benevolent smile of recognition , the warm welcome of friendship awaited us ; there , free from religious or political differences , we could enjoy the feast of reason and the flow of
soul . I can truly say , that my conscience does not reproach me for the time spent in those meetings , at which intellectual improvement was always blended with the purest feelings of friendship and benevolence .
Oh my departed Brother ! I am distressed for thee ; very pleasant was thy society to me ! When I look back upon the past , and reflect upon the many pleasant hours of social intercourse we spent together , when , as a father in Masonry , I received thy instructions in the paths of truth and virtue , my heart sinks within me at the thought that those hours are gone past recall—or only to be recalled by busy meddling memory . Peace be with thy ashes !
Our deceased Brother was initiated into Freemasonry on the 13 th of October , 1811 , in the Britannia Lodge ( then No . 309 ) , held at Hoxton : he was also an active member for many years in the Euphrates Lodge , formerly held by warrant from the Grand Lodge of England as a Military Lodge , and attached to the Staff of the Royal West London Militia , whicli regiment at that time was stationed at Greenwich : he served all the offices , and was several times elected Master of that Lodge , and ol"