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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 6 of 49 →
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Provincial.
and prove that we have wisdom to appreciate , and justice to applaud such excellence . " The son of a Freemason himself , the learned Brother was early initiated into our mysteries ; the laborious studies of his youth were lightened and cheered by his determined acquisition of Masonic learning ; and his riper years have given to the world a long series of works , redundant with instruction calculated to excite every honourable
sentiment of the human heart ; and breathing throughout that exalted spirit of philanthropy which it is the main design of our institution to cultivate . These works have formed the text-books of the Craft , not only in England , but throughout Europe ; and the Brethren in America have with unanimous voice re-echoed the opinion . "' But , Brethren , we do not esteem Masonic knowledge as the only test of Masonic merit ; but it is by the influence of this ' knowledge upon
the heart and the actions of the individual that we judge of him . The study of our mysteries ivould , indeed , be a vain and profitless pursuit , had they not a direct tendency to repress our evil feelings , and elicit and excite the good . We should , indeed , be open to the too frequent imputation that our studies were frivolous and trifling , if the result of them were to be thus inoperative . But , Brethren , such an aspersion receives a negativeat once direct and practicalin the character of our
, , learned Brother . H owever much we might venerate his learning , however highly ive might estimate his talent , our feelings ivould be cold indeed compared with what they really are , had he not , in every relation of life , under all vicissitudes , and under every circumstance , shown himself not only influenced , but controlled by the purest principles of
Masonry . This is the brightest gem in his character;—this it is that has gained our affectionate esteem , and that has given additional lustre to that most dignified of all human characters—a Christian pastor . " Reverend sir , I am commissioned by the Brethren of the Witham Lodge , to beg your acceptance of this piece of plate , as some testimony , though a very humble and inadequate one , of their veneration for your learning , and their affectionate regard for you as a man and Mason . For myselfI have to ask of youthat you will not do them the
, , injustice to estimate the intensity of their feelings by the weakness of the individual they have selected to express them . " The Rev . DR . OLIVER then rose , evidently much affected . " I should , " said he , " be totally insensible to every good and virtuous feeling , if the distinction with which I have this day been honoured did not vibrate through every chord of my heart . To say merel y that I am highly gratifiedand very gratefulis too tame to express
, , my sensations , excited as they are by the very kind and flattering language in ivhich the compliment has been conveyed . I have enjoyed many proud and happy days in company ivith my Brother Masons , but none has equalled the present . To be made conscious of having deserved your approbation is a reward for years of toil and labour ; and , by the testimony of this clay , my services to the Craftsuch as they arehave been overpaid . You have made a public
, , expression of your approval of my exertions in the cause of Masonry , and I am amply remunerated . The acknowledgment—and such an acknowledgment as will animate me with joy and gratitude while I have life—exceeds the service . I have , indeed , used the leisure of many years in the arduous task of investigating the hidden secrets of Primitive Freemasonry ; in tracing the resemblance it bears to other institutions ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
and prove that we have wisdom to appreciate , and justice to applaud such excellence . " The son of a Freemason himself , the learned Brother was early initiated into our mysteries ; the laborious studies of his youth were lightened and cheered by his determined acquisition of Masonic learning ; and his riper years have given to the world a long series of works , redundant with instruction calculated to excite every honourable
sentiment of the human heart ; and breathing throughout that exalted spirit of philanthropy which it is the main design of our institution to cultivate . These works have formed the text-books of the Craft , not only in England , but throughout Europe ; and the Brethren in America have with unanimous voice re-echoed the opinion . "' But , Brethren , we do not esteem Masonic knowledge as the only test of Masonic merit ; but it is by the influence of this ' knowledge upon
the heart and the actions of the individual that we judge of him . The study of our mysteries ivould , indeed , be a vain and profitless pursuit , had they not a direct tendency to repress our evil feelings , and elicit and excite the good . We should , indeed , be open to the too frequent imputation that our studies were frivolous and trifling , if the result of them were to be thus inoperative . But , Brethren , such an aspersion receives a negativeat once direct and practicalin the character of our
, , learned Brother . H owever much we might venerate his learning , however highly ive might estimate his talent , our feelings ivould be cold indeed compared with what they really are , had he not , in every relation of life , under all vicissitudes , and under every circumstance , shown himself not only influenced , but controlled by the purest principles of
Masonry . This is the brightest gem in his character;—this it is that has gained our affectionate esteem , and that has given additional lustre to that most dignified of all human characters—a Christian pastor . " Reverend sir , I am commissioned by the Brethren of the Witham Lodge , to beg your acceptance of this piece of plate , as some testimony , though a very humble and inadequate one , of their veneration for your learning , and their affectionate regard for you as a man and Mason . For myselfI have to ask of youthat you will not do them the
, , injustice to estimate the intensity of their feelings by the weakness of the individual they have selected to express them . " The Rev . DR . OLIVER then rose , evidently much affected . " I should , " said he , " be totally insensible to every good and virtuous feeling , if the distinction with which I have this day been honoured did not vibrate through every chord of my heart . To say merel y that I am highly gratifiedand very gratefulis too tame to express
, , my sensations , excited as they are by the very kind and flattering language in ivhich the compliment has been conveyed . I have enjoyed many proud and happy days in company ivith my Brother Masons , but none has equalled the present . To be made conscious of having deserved your approbation is a reward for years of toil and labour ; and , by the testimony of this clay , my services to the Craftsuch as they arehave been overpaid . You have made a public
, , expression of your approval of my exertions in the cause of Masonry , and I am amply remunerated . The acknowledgment—and such an acknowledgment as will animate me with joy and gratitude while I have life—exceeds the service . I have , indeed , used the leisure of many years in the arduous task of investigating the hidden secrets of Primitive Freemasonry ; in tracing the resemblance it bears to other institutions ,