-
Articles/Ads
Article FREEMASONRY IN GIBRALTAR. ← Page 4 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Gibraltar.
which it is founded , and ever securel y rests—if such a desire , honestly entertained , and candidly avowed , may seem to entitle me to your consideration—then I may truly affirm , that I am not unworthy of it . " But , on the other hand , if success is to he considered as the only sure test of ability and worth , I cannot but allow , with some pain and regret , that it has not been in my power to complete all the plans for the advancement and consolidation of the Craft in this which have
province , appeared practicable , and which I hoped to have seen executed . Moreover , the many professional demands which are constantly made on my time and though ts , and some other circumstances , have , to a certain degree , limited the extent of the services which I should gladly have rendered to the Masonic body . Still it is no small satisfaction to me to hnd , from the unequivocal demonstration of this evening , that I have not been suspected of unwillingness , though I may often have suffered from inabilityto and do all that mi
, say ght be expected of me , and might have been said and done by a person of superior talent , stronger constitution , and more ample command of leisure . " Be assured , Worshipful Sir and Brethren , that I accept your beautiful and appropriate present in the spirit in which it ought to be accepted , not as a personal reward for labour , because I was not at liberty to shrink from labourwhenever I happy h to
, was enoug see any prospect of its being advantageously employed , either in public or in private ; in defence or aid of the Fraternity at large , or in affording counsel and instruction to such individual Brethren as might seek them at my hands . I accept your present rather as an imperishable testimonial of our having hved together m 'love , peace , and unity , ' and of our having each and luinneclto tne best
an , ot our capacity and means , the reciprocal obligations which attach to our respective stations and degrees . " If any thing could tend to increase my attachment ' to a society which , so far as my experience goes , contains within itself the germs of almost every social good , and an antidote for almost every social evil if any thing could lead me more decidedl y to approve a system , which when rightly adopted , establishes the claims of piety and virtue ; which withdraws the mind and heartat least for awhile
, , from earthly and sensual pursuits ; and which directs us to the contemplation of profitable sublime , and heavenly objects , your favourable interpretation of my general Masonic conduct in the position in which I am here placed would be sufficient to bind me more strongly to the Craft . If it were possible that I could think otherwise than I do of the real nature and genuine effects of Masonryand could require additional motive for
, any exertion in its behalf , your concurrence in the views I have taken of the subject , and often frankly stated , would alone stimulate my zeal in the cause I have long regarded as secondary only to that which it is mv highest office to promote . " Your favour , sympathy , and encouragement will not , I trust , be thrown away . If it should be the will of Providence that I continue in present situationI shall always look this token of
my , on your friendship as an incitement to industry in the study of our science , and as a pled < 4 of your support in any measures which may seem advisable to render our Craft more respected and useful in the world around us as well as more interesting and beneficial to ourselves . ' " In offering you once more my best thanks , let me be permitted to allude to the motto engraven on these candlesticks , as the stamp which
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Gibraltar.
which it is founded , and ever securel y rests—if such a desire , honestly entertained , and candidly avowed , may seem to entitle me to your consideration—then I may truly affirm , that I am not unworthy of it . " But , on the other hand , if success is to he considered as the only sure test of ability and worth , I cannot but allow , with some pain and regret , that it has not been in my power to complete all the plans for the advancement and consolidation of the Craft in this which have
province , appeared practicable , and which I hoped to have seen executed . Moreover , the many professional demands which are constantly made on my time and though ts , and some other circumstances , have , to a certain degree , limited the extent of the services which I should gladly have rendered to the Masonic body . Still it is no small satisfaction to me to hnd , from the unequivocal demonstration of this evening , that I have not been suspected of unwillingness , though I may often have suffered from inabilityto and do all that mi
, say ght be expected of me , and might have been said and done by a person of superior talent , stronger constitution , and more ample command of leisure . " Be assured , Worshipful Sir and Brethren , that I accept your beautiful and appropriate present in the spirit in which it ought to be accepted , not as a personal reward for labour , because I was not at liberty to shrink from labourwhenever I happy h to
, was enoug see any prospect of its being advantageously employed , either in public or in private ; in defence or aid of the Fraternity at large , or in affording counsel and instruction to such individual Brethren as might seek them at my hands . I accept your present rather as an imperishable testimonial of our having hved together m 'love , peace , and unity , ' and of our having each and luinneclto tne best
an , ot our capacity and means , the reciprocal obligations which attach to our respective stations and degrees . " If any thing could tend to increase my attachment ' to a society which , so far as my experience goes , contains within itself the germs of almost every social good , and an antidote for almost every social evil if any thing could lead me more decidedl y to approve a system , which when rightly adopted , establishes the claims of piety and virtue ; which withdraws the mind and heartat least for awhile
, , from earthly and sensual pursuits ; and which directs us to the contemplation of profitable sublime , and heavenly objects , your favourable interpretation of my general Masonic conduct in the position in which I am here placed would be sufficient to bind me more strongly to the Craft . If it were possible that I could think otherwise than I do of the real nature and genuine effects of Masonryand could require additional motive for
, any exertion in its behalf , your concurrence in the views I have taken of the subject , and often frankly stated , would alone stimulate my zeal in the cause I have long regarded as secondary only to that which it is mv highest office to promote . " Your favour , sympathy , and encouragement will not , I trust , be thrown away . If it should be the will of Providence that I continue in present situationI shall always look this token of
my , on your friendship as an incitement to industry in the study of our science , and as a pled < 4 of your support in any measures which may seem advisable to render our Craft more respected and useful in the world around us as well as more interesting and beneficial to ourselves . ' " In offering you once more my best thanks , let me be permitted to allude to the motto engraven on these candlesticks , as the stamp which