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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 9 of 25 →
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Provincial.
safety , ' says our ancient Grand Master , King Solomon . Bro . D'Eyncourt is but a man , and therefore his opinion is fallible , and as likel y to be erroneous as that of any one of his officers . Under these circumstances , I consider it to be the duty of the P . G . M ., as he professes to be actuated solely by a consideration for the interests of Masonry—I consider it to be his duty , although it is not strictly so laid down in the Book of Constitutionsbut as a matter of courtesyas a matter of
justice—, , I should think it his duty to consult his officers before he determines on any important measure which may create a difference of opinion amongst the Brethren , and thereby endanger the peace of the Province —( cheers ) . I think I have now said enough to show that the charge of insubordination is not borne out by facts . I proceed , therefore , to the second step in our enquiry ; and will consider how far the P . G . Master ' s assertion is likely to be realized , that the interests of Masonry will be benefited
by my dismissal . For this purpose it will be necessary to produce a few facts connected ivith the alleged offence which has been charged against me . And I am not unwilling to do so , because my reputation demands that the question be placed on its proper basis —( cheers ) . And I flatter myself that there is not a Brother present but would defend my reputation as his own . To accomplish this correctly , we must have recourse to abstract principles . Let me , then , ask you , is it possible to suppose
that any professors of the sublime science of Freemasonry—a science which inculcates universal benevolence , brotherly love , and good-willa science which recommends charity as its principal characteristic—is it possible to suppose that any professors of this science could make up their minds openly to discourage the practice of charity ?—( no , no !) , and raise their voices against a virtue which forms the solid basis of the system ? - Can it be supposed that any professors of this science are . to be found , who would be bold enough to reprobate the conduct of their Brethren because they are charitably inclined—because they are willing to give relief to their distressed Brethren—because
Their hearts expand with generous warmth , A Brother's woe to feel ; An : l bleed in y » ity o ' er the wound , They fain would try to heal 1 Because , They spread their Mml supporting arms To every child of grief ; And their rich b-mnty largely flows , And brings unasked relief 1
Is it possible , I say , that any Brethren should be censured , stigmatized and proscribed , because they are thus fulfilling the most interesting and most important duties of their profession ? Freemasonry would reply—Common Sense would reply—the World wouldreply , It is not possible . And yet , strange to say , it is true—yes , unfortunately for Freemasonry , it is too true , that a band of noble-minded Brethren have been publicly censured by an influential section of the Fraternity , for no other reason but because they have united togetherand subscribed
, vast sums to relieve AVorthy Aged and Distressed Freemasons ; because they have exerted themselves to render the old age easy and comfortable of those decayed Brethren who have seen better days ; because they have contributed to assuage the sorrows of estimable men whom misfortune has attacked in the winter of their lives ; in a word , because they have completed the holy triangle of Masonic benevolence —( loud cheers ) . Is this to be believed in the nineteenth century of Christianity ? Are
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
safety , ' says our ancient Grand Master , King Solomon . Bro . D'Eyncourt is but a man , and therefore his opinion is fallible , and as likel y to be erroneous as that of any one of his officers . Under these circumstances , I consider it to be the duty of the P . G . M ., as he professes to be actuated solely by a consideration for the interests of Masonry—I consider it to be his duty , although it is not strictly so laid down in the Book of Constitutionsbut as a matter of courtesyas a matter of
justice—, , I should think it his duty to consult his officers before he determines on any important measure which may create a difference of opinion amongst the Brethren , and thereby endanger the peace of the Province —( cheers ) . I think I have now said enough to show that the charge of insubordination is not borne out by facts . I proceed , therefore , to the second step in our enquiry ; and will consider how far the P . G . Master ' s assertion is likely to be realized , that the interests of Masonry will be benefited
by my dismissal . For this purpose it will be necessary to produce a few facts connected ivith the alleged offence which has been charged against me . And I am not unwilling to do so , because my reputation demands that the question be placed on its proper basis —( cheers ) . And I flatter myself that there is not a Brother present but would defend my reputation as his own . To accomplish this correctly , we must have recourse to abstract principles . Let me , then , ask you , is it possible to suppose
that any professors of the sublime science of Freemasonry—a science which inculcates universal benevolence , brotherly love , and good-willa science which recommends charity as its principal characteristic—is it possible to suppose that any professors of this science could make up their minds openly to discourage the practice of charity ?—( no , no !) , and raise their voices against a virtue which forms the solid basis of the system ? - Can it be supposed that any professors of this science are . to be found , who would be bold enough to reprobate the conduct of their Brethren because they are charitably inclined—because they are willing to give relief to their distressed Brethren—because
Their hearts expand with generous warmth , A Brother's woe to feel ; An : l bleed in y » ity o ' er the wound , They fain would try to heal 1 Because , They spread their Mml supporting arms To every child of grief ; And their rich b-mnty largely flows , And brings unasked relief 1
Is it possible , I say , that any Brethren should be censured , stigmatized and proscribed , because they are thus fulfilling the most interesting and most important duties of their profession ? Freemasonry would reply—Common Sense would reply—the World wouldreply , It is not possible . And yet , strange to say , it is true—yes , unfortunately for Freemasonry , it is too true , that a band of noble-minded Brethren have been publicly censured by an influential section of the Fraternity , for no other reason but because they have united togetherand subscribed
, vast sums to relieve AVorthy Aged and Distressed Freemasons ; because they have exerted themselves to render the old age easy and comfortable of those decayed Brethren who have seen better days ; because they have contributed to assuage the sorrows of estimable men whom misfortune has attacked in the winter of their lives ; in a word , because they have completed the holy triangle of Masonic benevolence —( loud cheers ) . Is this to be believed in the nineteenth century of Christianity ? Are