Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
of the Universe ; that enlightenment which aims at the amelioration of the whole human race , —ancl that never-failing charity , which thinks the best , says the best , and does the best , it can for all mankind . " Such is the man , my Brethren , whom , above all others , our Craft , throughout every age , has delighted to honour—and such is the man to whom , on behalf of all assembled here , and on the part of the Brethren of AA'estern ' . IndiaI now tender the right hand of fellowshi . ( Here the R . W .
, p Bro . took his colleague of Bengal hy the hand amidst the acclamations of the assembly . ) Proud indeed we are , and should be , to welcome such a Brother , for he has proved a pillar of strength to our Order , a true and faithful leader of the Brotherhood , in the contest which divides the world between light and darkness , —civilization andignorance , —the cause of love and the cause of all uncharitableness . I urge not his official position in the Craft , for far colder I know would be the homage we have to offer him ,
were it his Masonic duties and offices , instead ofhis Masonic virtues , and services , that we hacl met to celebrate . No Mason will undervalue these , the tribute of the free ancl unbiassed suffrages of the Brethren , but long before they had been accorded to him , at the loud and reiterated demand of his Brethren in Bengal , it had heen discovered and acknowledged that the Grand Master of us all hacl invested him with dignities and qualities far more noble than it is in the of manhowever mightyor
power any , , of any association of men , however enlightened and illustrious , to bestow . And it is , I conceive , a glory ancl a pride to Masonry , a noble tribute to its merits , that his name is enrolled amongst its dignitaries , and that his qualities ancl energies have been devoted to the promotion of its purpurposes . But it is not my intention to recapitulate here the particular
services of our R . W . Bro . to the Craft . They have often formed the theme of comment , and of admiration amongst the Brethren of Bombay , and I feel that I cannot pursue the subject into its details on this occasion in his presence , even although I have truth to urge as an apology . For similar reasons , I make but a passing allusion to my own obligations to him , and to the affectionate personal regard which has so long subsisted between us , but I feel that if I may not use my own words in regard to
him , I may , before sitting down , ask your attention to these expressions which I shall read from an address which was presented to him by the Freemasons of Bengal on his quitting India some three or four years since , and which indicate the extent , as well as the foundation , of the Brotherly love and admiration which are entertained towards him , by those amongst whom he has passed his days : — " ' For love towards you , R . AA . Sir , we have many causes . The mild , yet dignified firmness with which you have ruled the Craft , the urbanity
of manner , the kindliness of heart , the genuine spirit of a Mason , which your whole conduct to us has exhibited , and has thus established over our hearts , a dominion which bare power could not have effected , all combine to create the claim upon our love , which we thus fully acknowledge and respond to , and which we will acknowledge , and to which we will respond , while we exist . ' " Ancl this then is the Brother whom the Masons of AVestern India have now crowded to welcomeI ive ' Success and prosperity to him' let
, g , your acclamations in his honour be free and fervent . "—( Drunk with the highest honours and with enthusiastic applause . ) Tiie reply of Bro . GRANT was nearly to the following effect : — " Right AA ' orshipful Sir , your Excellency , and Brethren all , I never felt more at a loss than at this moment , overwhelmed as I truly am by your un-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
of the Universe ; that enlightenment which aims at the amelioration of the whole human race , —ancl that never-failing charity , which thinks the best , says the best , and does the best , it can for all mankind . " Such is the man , my Brethren , whom , above all others , our Craft , throughout every age , has delighted to honour—and such is the man to whom , on behalf of all assembled here , and on the part of the Brethren of AA'estern ' . IndiaI now tender the right hand of fellowshi . ( Here the R . W .
, p Bro . took his colleague of Bengal hy the hand amidst the acclamations of the assembly . ) Proud indeed we are , and should be , to welcome such a Brother , for he has proved a pillar of strength to our Order , a true and faithful leader of the Brotherhood , in the contest which divides the world between light and darkness , —civilization andignorance , —the cause of love and the cause of all uncharitableness . I urge not his official position in the Craft , for far colder I know would be the homage we have to offer him ,
were it his Masonic duties and offices , instead ofhis Masonic virtues , and services , that we hacl met to celebrate . No Mason will undervalue these , the tribute of the free ancl unbiassed suffrages of the Brethren , but long before they had been accorded to him , at the loud and reiterated demand of his Brethren in Bengal , it had heen discovered and acknowledged that the Grand Master of us all hacl invested him with dignities and qualities far more noble than it is in the of manhowever mightyor
power any , , of any association of men , however enlightened and illustrious , to bestow . And it is , I conceive , a glory ancl a pride to Masonry , a noble tribute to its merits , that his name is enrolled amongst its dignitaries , and that his qualities ancl energies have been devoted to the promotion of its purpurposes . But it is not my intention to recapitulate here the particular
services of our R . W . Bro . to the Craft . They have often formed the theme of comment , and of admiration amongst the Brethren of Bombay , and I feel that I cannot pursue the subject into its details on this occasion in his presence , even although I have truth to urge as an apology . For similar reasons , I make but a passing allusion to my own obligations to him , and to the affectionate personal regard which has so long subsisted between us , but I feel that if I may not use my own words in regard to
him , I may , before sitting down , ask your attention to these expressions which I shall read from an address which was presented to him by the Freemasons of Bengal on his quitting India some three or four years since , and which indicate the extent , as well as the foundation , of the Brotherly love and admiration which are entertained towards him , by those amongst whom he has passed his days : — " ' For love towards you , R . AA . Sir , we have many causes . The mild , yet dignified firmness with which you have ruled the Craft , the urbanity
of manner , the kindliness of heart , the genuine spirit of a Mason , which your whole conduct to us has exhibited , and has thus established over our hearts , a dominion which bare power could not have effected , all combine to create the claim upon our love , which we thus fully acknowledge and respond to , and which we will acknowledge , and to which we will respond , while we exist . ' " Ancl this then is the Brother whom the Masons of AVestern India have now crowded to welcomeI ive ' Success and prosperity to him' let
, g , your acclamations in his honour be free and fervent . "—( Drunk with the highest honours and with enthusiastic applause . ) Tiie reply of Bro . GRANT was nearly to the following effect : — " Right AA ' orshipful Sir , your Excellency , and Brethren all , I never felt more at a loss than at this moment , overwhelmed as I truly am by your un-