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Article MASONIC SKETCHES, ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Sketches,
and goodly fruits of the most generous emotion that can swell the bosom of man towards man , — the desire to succour his brother in distress , and to give free scope to that ever-hallowed charit y * Which droppeth as tbe gentle rain from heaven , And blossotb him that gives , and him that takes . ' " It is with cordial sympathy , therefore , as well as with sincere pride and gratification , that the Masonic fraternity of Bombay have
responded to your summons , and borne their emblems to this spot to-day . And when the record of the proceedings shall be read within the houses of our Order , dispersed over the civilized world , our Brethren also of every tongue and nation will rejoice that we have been aiding you in this good work ; and will participate with us in exultation , that by far the foremost man for deeds of true wisdom in tills portion of the globe , has also been giving effect to the munificent designs of love and charity , and been the first of his tribe and country to solicit the countenance of our Brotherhood on any occasion .
"It has been usual to explain these ceremonies of ours , and in this , the first instance of their being practised at Bombay , it is essential , at least , that I should guard against their being misinterpreted . There is one portion of them , which will awaken a sympathy in the bosom of every reflecting individual even of this vast assemblage , composed though it be of men of all varieties of sects , customs , and habits of thought ; since no condition of society exists in which—at
the season of doubt and anxiety , but especially at the commencement of a momentous undertaking , the plan of which he may conceive , but the execution of which depends on a far mightier than he—man cannot but feel his absolute dependance on the Omnipotent Creator , and by a natural instinct turn to His throne as his stay and support . " But the impulse , which prompts this appeal , acquires intensit y , when the frail and transitory being contemplates the erection of an and
enduring stupendous structure , which may rear its stately dome for centuries after he is mouldering in the dust ; and hence , from the remotest ages , and in almost all countries , the foundation-stone of important edifices has been deposited with an impressive solemnit y , indicative of the founder ' s humble trust and fervent prayer , that the Almighty Architect of the universe may prosper his work , and ever shower down His bounty and blessings upon it . As visible types of these
blessings , we pour forth , with a spirit of hope and thankfulness , the abundant fruits of the earth on the first corner-stone , in the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , and the oil of joy . Such , then , is the simple origin of one portion of these ceremonies , which so far will be recognized as analogous to those performed by one of our most distinguished Parsee families , in laying the foundation keels of some of those superb vessels , which of late years have brought Great Britain and India into closer and dearer connection . "
" You have seen me apply certain implements of operative architecture to this stone , in accordance with the ancient and immemorial usage of our Order at the foundation of all great edifices . But you are too enli ghtened to suppose that the essence of Freemasonry lies m a mere formality like this , or that those about me and myself have linked ourselves together in an indissoluble tie only to practise
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Sketches,
and goodly fruits of the most generous emotion that can swell the bosom of man towards man , — the desire to succour his brother in distress , and to give free scope to that ever-hallowed charit y * Which droppeth as tbe gentle rain from heaven , And blossotb him that gives , and him that takes . ' " It is with cordial sympathy , therefore , as well as with sincere pride and gratification , that the Masonic fraternity of Bombay have
responded to your summons , and borne their emblems to this spot to-day . And when the record of the proceedings shall be read within the houses of our Order , dispersed over the civilized world , our Brethren also of every tongue and nation will rejoice that we have been aiding you in this good work ; and will participate with us in exultation , that by far the foremost man for deeds of true wisdom in tills portion of the globe , has also been giving effect to the munificent designs of love and charity , and been the first of his tribe and country to solicit the countenance of our Brotherhood on any occasion .
"It has been usual to explain these ceremonies of ours , and in this , the first instance of their being practised at Bombay , it is essential , at least , that I should guard against their being misinterpreted . There is one portion of them , which will awaken a sympathy in the bosom of every reflecting individual even of this vast assemblage , composed though it be of men of all varieties of sects , customs , and habits of thought ; since no condition of society exists in which—at
the season of doubt and anxiety , but especially at the commencement of a momentous undertaking , the plan of which he may conceive , but the execution of which depends on a far mightier than he—man cannot but feel his absolute dependance on the Omnipotent Creator , and by a natural instinct turn to His throne as his stay and support . " But the impulse , which prompts this appeal , acquires intensit y , when the frail and transitory being contemplates the erection of an and
enduring stupendous structure , which may rear its stately dome for centuries after he is mouldering in the dust ; and hence , from the remotest ages , and in almost all countries , the foundation-stone of important edifices has been deposited with an impressive solemnit y , indicative of the founder ' s humble trust and fervent prayer , that the Almighty Architect of the universe may prosper his work , and ever shower down His bounty and blessings upon it . As visible types of these
blessings , we pour forth , with a spirit of hope and thankfulness , the abundant fruits of the earth on the first corner-stone , in the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , and the oil of joy . Such , then , is the simple origin of one portion of these ceremonies , which so far will be recognized as analogous to those performed by one of our most distinguished Parsee families , in laying the foundation keels of some of those superb vessels , which of late years have brought Great Britain and India into closer and dearer connection . "
" You have seen me apply certain implements of operative architecture to this stone , in accordance with the ancient and immemorial usage of our Order at the foundation of all great edifices . But you are too enli ghtened to suppose that the essence of Freemasonry lies m a mere formality like this , or that those about me and myself have linked ourselves together in an indissoluble tie only to practise