Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
to the important office of Junior Warden , urider Professor Nicbl , which I held for two years . I was then raised to the still more responsible situation of Senior AVarden , under the late R . W . M ., which I also held two years . None of the office-bearers who were opposed to my election feeling disposed to contest the chair of the Lodge with me , but in expectation of annihilating my chance of obtaining that high distinction among my Brethrenwaited upon Bro . Ramsaya gentleman of high
, , standing , also a Professor in the University of Glasgow , and obtained his consent to accept the office of Master , if elected . This was done , not from any claims that gentleman had upon the Brethren , for services rendered the Lodge , or from the knowledge he had of the Masonic Order , but purely to prevent , if possible , my being elected to the chair , as the following fact will fully show . Although Professor Ramsay was initiated in the year 1833 and elected immediately afterwardsunder the late
, , Sir D . K . Sandford , to the office of Senior Warden , yet he held that office but a short time , when he withdrew from the Lodge , and appeared to take no further Masonic interest in the Order from that period , till a few days before the last election , when he received instructions in open Lodge of office-bearers , to qualify him to discharge the duties of the chair , if successful in his election . Now your correspondent endeavours to make it appear to the minds of strangers at a distanceor even to
, Brethren in Glasgow not taking much interest in Lodge matters , that I sprung up from the body of the Lodge , without any claims whatever , but from over-zeal and mal-ambition , and wrested from the late Senior Warden , by undue means , that chair which he had so kindly agreed to accept , if elected . I may here state , that if I had been seized with
malahibition , it could not be from the pure ambition of heing Master of a Lodge , from the fact , that in November , 1845 , I had the honour pf being waited upon four or five times by deputations from the Lodge St . Mark , ( of which your correspondent speaks so highly , and which that respectable Lodge so justly merits , ) requesting me to accept of the chair of that Lodge , I had also a similar honour conferred on me b y another respectable Lodge , viz ., the St . Mungo of Glasgow , both of which I declined to accepton the princilethat if my services as Master
, p , were worth having , my mother Lodge had the first claim on my humble abilities . This I did , although a full affiliated member of both these respectable Lodges , and which honour was conferred on me free of fee or reward . Another charge preferred against me is , that I actually canvassed for the office . That I did solicit a few of the Brethren to
vote for me I frankly confess , but not until I found those . Brethren who brought forward Professor Ramsay to oppose me had formed themselves into a well-organized canvassing committee ; ¦ then , along with a friend , ( the present S . W . of the St . Mark's Lodge , )! did canvass , and procured a few votes : But to show the length the opposing party went , they obtained the assistance of two of the oldest members of the Lodge to assist in overhauling tbe old roll books , picking out the names of members who were known to thembut who had long ceased to enter
, theLodge This advantage I had not at command ; yet I am accused of bringing forward members seldom forthcoming Another-charge is ; , that my opposition to Professor Ramsay has inflicted so severe aii injury 6 n the Lodge , that no effort of mine can repair . Now I am proud to stty , " -triat the Lodge' has not been iri a state of greater , prosperity : for many-years ., which my Brethren in Glasgow ( who are not possessed- of the same malicious spirit your correspondent has displayed towards-me )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
to the important office of Junior Warden , urider Professor Nicbl , which I held for two years . I was then raised to the still more responsible situation of Senior AVarden , under the late R . W . M ., which I also held two years . None of the office-bearers who were opposed to my election feeling disposed to contest the chair of the Lodge with me , but in expectation of annihilating my chance of obtaining that high distinction among my Brethrenwaited upon Bro . Ramsaya gentleman of high
, , standing , also a Professor in the University of Glasgow , and obtained his consent to accept the office of Master , if elected . This was done , not from any claims that gentleman had upon the Brethren , for services rendered the Lodge , or from the knowledge he had of the Masonic Order , but purely to prevent , if possible , my being elected to the chair , as the following fact will fully show . Although Professor Ramsay was initiated in the year 1833 and elected immediately afterwardsunder the late
, , Sir D . K . Sandford , to the office of Senior Warden , yet he held that office but a short time , when he withdrew from the Lodge , and appeared to take no further Masonic interest in the Order from that period , till a few days before the last election , when he received instructions in open Lodge of office-bearers , to qualify him to discharge the duties of the chair , if successful in his election . Now your correspondent endeavours to make it appear to the minds of strangers at a distanceor even to
, Brethren in Glasgow not taking much interest in Lodge matters , that I sprung up from the body of the Lodge , without any claims whatever , but from over-zeal and mal-ambition , and wrested from the late Senior Warden , by undue means , that chair which he had so kindly agreed to accept , if elected . I may here state , that if I had been seized with
malahibition , it could not be from the pure ambition of heing Master of a Lodge , from the fact , that in November , 1845 , I had the honour pf being waited upon four or five times by deputations from the Lodge St . Mark , ( of which your correspondent speaks so highly , and which that respectable Lodge so justly merits , ) requesting me to accept of the chair of that Lodge , I had also a similar honour conferred on me b y another respectable Lodge , viz ., the St . Mungo of Glasgow , both of which I declined to accepton the princilethat if my services as Master
, p , were worth having , my mother Lodge had the first claim on my humble abilities . This I did , although a full affiliated member of both these respectable Lodges , and which honour was conferred on me free of fee or reward . Another charge preferred against me is , that I actually canvassed for the office . That I did solicit a few of the Brethren to
vote for me I frankly confess , but not until I found those . Brethren who brought forward Professor Ramsay to oppose me had formed themselves into a well-organized canvassing committee ; ¦ then , along with a friend , ( the present S . W . of the St . Mark's Lodge , )! did canvass , and procured a few votes : But to show the length the opposing party went , they obtained the assistance of two of the oldest members of the Lodge to assist in overhauling tbe old roll books , picking out the names of members who were known to thembut who had long ceased to enter
, theLodge This advantage I had not at command ; yet I am accused of bringing forward members seldom forthcoming Another-charge is ; , that my opposition to Professor Ramsay has inflicted so severe aii injury 6 n the Lodge , that no effort of mine can repair . Now I am proud to stty , " -triat the Lodge' has not been iri a state of greater , prosperity : for many-years ., which my Brethren in Glasgow ( who are not possessed- of the same malicious spirit your correspondent has displayed towards-me )