-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 13 of 26 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
we are following tho example of Him who said , " Consider the lilies of tho Hold how they grow ; they toil not , neither do they spin , and yet I say unto you that Solomon m all his glory was not arrayed liko one of these . " We call upon our Brethren sometimes to leave , in their contemplations , this planet which has boon assigned to man for his habitation , and to consider tho sun , resplendent with surpassing glory—and the moon , walking in majesty—and stars , scattered over immeasurable space . And why ' —Because they are wonderful displays of the power and wisdom of the Great Arehitoctof the universe But do for moment
we a protend that man by searching merely tho volume of nature can find out God to perfection—to any saving purpose ? No ; wo know tho utter vxnverlessness of the law of nature , and tho mere study of nature , to restrain tho passions of men , and to teach them those things that belong to their peaeo , and , therefore , we prize above all things tho sacred volume of revelation . In it , and in it alone , wo believe that life and immortality are brought to light . Wo believe that /( must be a "light unto our foot , and a lamp unto our paths . " Whilst , then , wo urge all our Brethren to the cultivation of those faculties which God has iven thorn
g , and the attainment of that knowledge which has a tendency to expand the mmd to refine the tasto , to exalt the character , and rescue it from debasing and degrading passions , and to open out unnumbered sources of enjoyment , still we do all this in subordination to that Divine instruction without which all is vanity . There is , however , one thing which I must claim for Masonrv in these latter days . Though it may not have been pre-eminent for science as in ages gone by , it has been fruitful in works of mercy , and in labours of love . It has charities to lighten the sorrow of tho destitute orphan , and to cause the widow ' heart to for It
s leap joy . has schools where the children of deceased Brethren are clothed , and fed , and instructed ; and where , besides the comforts of this life , they receive those lessons which are intended to fit them for another and a better world . It has made provision for the permanent relief of distress occasioned by misfortune or old ago . In fact , the orphan ' s tears , the widow ' s prayers , the blessing of him that was-ready to perish , have been its hi ° 'h encomium . Honoured and recommended by these fruits , as well as by that spmt of brotherly love which it so unceasingly labours to promote , and of which the world stands much in needit has been
so , patronized by throned monarclis , and then- chief nobility , in every part of the world . At this timo it seems unfitting that I shoidd omit to mention that illustrious Brother whoso death the nation , almost as one man , is now deploring . Ours is not a proselytizing system ; if it were , it would surely be enough to point to achievements so splendid , to patriotism so disinterested , to wisdom so profound , to fidolitv and truth so constant , and to say that the hero was one of our Brethren . Bretlu ' en , I have done . It remains only for me to express the hope that the edifice now begun may promote the welfare and prosperity of our Order in this Province : and that tho Brethren through whose instrumentality it has been undertaken ' may reap the reward which they so highly merit .
By direction of the mayor , the plans and designs for the erection of the building , which had been laid on the stone , were delivered up to the architects , together with the mallet , square , level , & c , to assist them in its erection ; the implements to be delivered up when the building is completed and dedicated to Masonry , in the name of the Great Jehovah , to whom be all honour and glory , to virtue , and to universal benevolence . The Grand Chaplain then offered up the following prayer of thanksgiving : —
Almighty Father of the universe , wo return Thee unfeigned thanks for all the mercies which we have received , and for Thy providential care which has continued to this Institution through so many ages . Grant that our thankfulness may be manifested in renewed and increasing efforts for Thy glory and the good of our fellow-creatures . Increase our love to Thee and to all mankind ; and grant that , while passing through this world , we may over bo ready to bear each other ' s burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ . Hear us , we beseech Thee , for tho Redeemer's sake . The benediction having been pronounced by the Grand Chaplain
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
we are following tho example of Him who said , " Consider the lilies of tho Hold how they grow ; they toil not , neither do they spin , and yet I say unto you that Solomon m all his glory was not arrayed liko one of these . " We call upon our Brethren sometimes to leave , in their contemplations , this planet which has boon assigned to man for his habitation , and to consider tho sun , resplendent with surpassing glory—and the moon , walking in majesty—and stars , scattered over immeasurable space . And why ' —Because they are wonderful displays of the power and wisdom of the Great Arehitoctof the universe But do for moment
we a protend that man by searching merely tho volume of nature can find out God to perfection—to any saving purpose ? No ; wo know tho utter vxnverlessness of the law of nature , and tho mere study of nature , to restrain tho passions of men , and to teach them those things that belong to their peaeo , and , therefore , we prize above all things tho sacred volume of revelation . In it , and in it alone , wo believe that life and immortality are brought to light . Wo believe that /( must be a "light unto our foot , and a lamp unto our paths . " Whilst , then , wo urge all our Brethren to the cultivation of those faculties which God has iven thorn
g , and the attainment of that knowledge which has a tendency to expand the mmd to refine the tasto , to exalt the character , and rescue it from debasing and degrading passions , and to open out unnumbered sources of enjoyment , still we do all this in subordination to that Divine instruction without which all is vanity . There is , however , one thing which I must claim for Masonrv in these latter days . Though it may not have been pre-eminent for science as in ages gone by , it has been fruitful in works of mercy , and in labours of love . It has charities to lighten the sorrow of tho destitute orphan , and to cause the widow ' heart to for It
s leap joy . has schools where the children of deceased Brethren are clothed , and fed , and instructed ; and where , besides the comforts of this life , they receive those lessons which are intended to fit them for another and a better world . It has made provision for the permanent relief of distress occasioned by misfortune or old ago . In fact , the orphan ' s tears , the widow ' s prayers , the blessing of him that was-ready to perish , have been its hi ° 'h encomium . Honoured and recommended by these fruits , as well as by that spmt of brotherly love which it so unceasingly labours to promote , and of which the world stands much in needit has been
so , patronized by throned monarclis , and then- chief nobility , in every part of the world . At this timo it seems unfitting that I shoidd omit to mention that illustrious Brother whoso death the nation , almost as one man , is now deploring . Ours is not a proselytizing system ; if it were , it would surely be enough to point to achievements so splendid , to patriotism so disinterested , to wisdom so profound , to fidolitv and truth so constant , and to say that the hero was one of our Brethren . Bretlu ' en , I have done . It remains only for me to express the hope that the edifice now begun may promote the welfare and prosperity of our Order in this Province : and that tho Brethren through whose instrumentality it has been undertaken ' may reap the reward which they so highly merit .
By direction of the mayor , the plans and designs for the erection of the building , which had been laid on the stone , were delivered up to the architects , together with the mallet , square , level , & c , to assist them in its erection ; the implements to be delivered up when the building is completed and dedicated to Masonry , in the name of the Great Jehovah , to whom be all honour and glory , to virtue , and to universal benevolence . The Grand Chaplain then offered up the following prayer of thanksgiving : —
Almighty Father of the universe , wo return Thee unfeigned thanks for all the mercies which we have received , and for Thy providential care which has continued to this Institution through so many ages . Grant that our thankfulness may be manifested in renewed and increasing efforts for Thy glory and the good of our fellow-creatures . Increase our love to Thee and to all mankind ; and grant that , while passing through this world , we may over bo ready to bear each other ' s burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ . Hear us , we beseech Thee , for tho Redeemer's sake . The benediction having been pronounced by the Grand Chaplain