Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Obituary.
Grand Master ever produced more general satisfaction than this . I believe that each of Bro . Thomson's old friends and pupils felt un honour conferred upon themselves personally in the distinction which was awarded to their old tutor and friend . Let it not be supposed that our Brother's labours ( Herculean though they were ) , were confined to Craft Masonry alone ; for in 1817 we find him as one of the Petitioners for the renewal of the Charter of the Jerusalem Lodge , and though this is not tbe place , in which I may mention themI just observe that they were as zealous
, may and as persistent in Arch as in Craft Masonry . I should have noticed that be was frequently assisted in bis Lodge of Instruction by the late Dr . Heming , and in this slight sketch of his career I am happy to acknowledge the obligations I am under to several of his old friends , particularly to Bio . Broadfoot , for tbe information they have kindly afforded me . And now let me beg of you to bear in mind that our late Brother helped not Masonry alone bhis teaching in her service he helped her bhis
y ; y charity , and that with no niggard's baud . His Lodge of Instruction has been a magnificent contributor to our charities , and he himself ( to his honour be it recorded ) , was a Life Governor of every one of our charitable institutions . Ai e have thus traced the early career of our late lamented Brother . — Permit me now to take a brief and rapid glance at the progress of Masonry and its Charities , and to compare its position at tbe time of the Union with the past year . I find from the first balance-sheet published after the
Union that the United Grand Loclge with its conjoined charities possessed au income of about £ 2500 per annum , and that its funded property amounted to about £ 19 , 600 . The freehold at this time was valued at £ 20 , 000 , subject to a tontine dividend and expenses amounting to about
£ 300 per annum . Some thirty-seven years have elapsed and we find that the same Grand Lodge and its Charities possesses an available income exceeding £ 10 . 000 a-year , whilst our funded property amounts to near _ £ 50 , 000 , besides the noble building in which we are now assembled , and which is probably trebled in value . AA'hat a vast increase ! Our Charities , which in those days numbered but a Boys' and Girls' School , are now adorned by tbe provision we bave been enabled to make for the old man and the widow . Although there may have
been some misunderstandings in Masonry ( as in what Society are there not ?) bow nobly , how pevseveringly , how prosperously , has our Institution progressed 1 And now a happier day has dawned , —now every difficulty is removed ; we are united as one man—united for good only . It is a subject of deep congratulation to every true Mason that our means of usefulness have so enormously increased . Increased and still increasing , this noble Institution bids fair to become the most extended Charity in the kingdom . It is indeed a happy reflection that hundreds of
poor hearts have been sent on their way rejoicing by means of our benevolence , —that many an old man's path down the rugged steep of life has been smoothed by our exertions , —that many a widow ' s grief will now be assuaged , and her poverty relieved by our charity , —and greater , far greater than all , is the happiness of the thought that many an orphan child has been , and will be , succoured , protected , sheltered , and educated within our walls . Having referred to these matters it may be asked in how far has our late Brother shared in bringing about this result . I repl—much !
prosperous y very much ! I claim for his memory far higher honour than that due to the mere teacher of Masonry ! I claim for the memory of Peter Thomson , and the active Teachers ot his time , a large share of merit in our present position . When all was disarranged—when all was unsettled—when every difficulty beset the young aspirant after Masonic knowledge—then Godwin and Gilkes , and Broadfoot and Thomson , then White and Goldsworthy ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Obituary.
Grand Master ever produced more general satisfaction than this . I believe that each of Bro . Thomson's old friends and pupils felt un honour conferred upon themselves personally in the distinction which was awarded to their old tutor and friend . Let it not be supposed that our Brother's labours ( Herculean though they were ) , were confined to Craft Masonry alone ; for in 1817 we find him as one of the Petitioners for the renewal of the Charter of the Jerusalem Lodge , and though this is not tbe place , in which I may mention themI just observe that they were as zealous
, may and as persistent in Arch as in Craft Masonry . I should have noticed that be was frequently assisted in bis Lodge of Instruction by the late Dr . Heming , and in this slight sketch of his career I am happy to acknowledge the obligations I am under to several of his old friends , particularly to Bio . Broadfoot , for tbe information they have kindly afforded me . And now let me beg of you to bear in mind that our late Brother helped not Masonry alone bhis teaching in her service he helped her bhis
y ; y charity , and that with no niggard's baud . His Lodge of Instruction has been a magnificent contributor to our charities , and he himself ( to his honour be it recorded ) , was a Life Governor of every one of our charitable institutions . Ai e have thus traced the early career of our late lamented Brother . — Permit me now to take a brief and rapid glance at the progress of Masonry and its Charities , and to compare its position at tbe time of the Union with the past year . I find from the first balance-sheet published after the
Union that the United Grand Loclge with its conjoined charities possessed au income of about £ 2500 per annum , and that its funded property amounted to about £ 19 , 600 . The freehold at this time was valued at £ 20 , 000 , subject to a tontine dividend and expenses amounting to about
£ 300 per annum . Some thirty-seven years have elapsed and we find that the same Grand Lodge and its Charities possesses an available income exceeding £ 10 . 000 a-year , whilst our funded property amounts to near _ £ 50 , 000 , besides the noble building in which we are now assembled , and which is probably trebled in value . AA'hat a vast increase ! Our Charities , which in those days numbered but a Boys' and Girls' School , are now adorned by tbe provision we bave been enabled to make for the old man and the widow . Although there may have
been some misunderstandings in Masonry ( as in what Society are there not ?) bow nobly , how pevseveringly , how prosperously , has our Institution progressed 1 And now a happier day has dawned , —now every difficulty is removed ; we are united as one man—united for good only . It is a subject of deep congratulation to every true Mason that our means of usefulness have so enormously increased . Increased and still increasing , this noble Institution bids fair to become the most extended Charity in the kingdom . It is indeed a happy reflection that hundreds of
poor hearts have been sent on their way rejoicing by means of our benevolence , —that many an old man's path down the rugged steep of life has been smoothed by our exertions , —that many a widow ' s grief will now be assuaged , and her poverty relieved by our charity , —and greater , far greater than all , is the happiness of the thought that many an orphan child has been , and will be , succoured , protected , sheltered , and educated within our walls . Having referred to these matters it may be asked in how far has our late Brother shared in bringing about this result . I repl—much !
prosperous y very much ! I claim for his memory far higher honour than that due to the mere teacher of Masonry ! I claim for the memory of Peter Thomson , and the active Teachers ot his time , a large share of merit in our present position . When all was disarranged—when all was unsettled—when every difficulty beset the young aspirant after Masonic knowledge—then Godwin and Gilkes , and Broadfoot and Thomson , then White and Goldsworthy ,