PRESENTATION OF THE SILVER GOBLET
THE MASONIC REVIEW - 1853
"Worshipful Master:- I rise to perform a most pleasing and
agreeable duty, that has been assigned me by the members
of this Lodge, who, desirous of manifesting in some tangible
form; their approbation of your course during the period you
have occupied that chair, and their appreciation of the
distinguished services rendered this Lodge by you, have
conferred the honor on me of presenting you, on their behalf,
this Silver Goblet, as a token of their esteem and fraternal
regard. Permit me, respected sir, to remark in this
connection, that very much of the peace, harmony and well-
being of a Lodge, depends on him who is selected to preside
over its deliberation. To cement as strongly as possible
those bonds of affection that bind the brethren of his Lodge
together, should be his constant aim. Urbanity, affability,
dignity, impartiality, and a faithful discharge of every duty
devolving on him, are elements that should characterize and
adorn his course. And it affords me pleasure to announce to
you, sir, that the brethren of this Lodge have discovered that
you possess these essential elements in an eminent degree;
and they have won for you the admiration had lasting regard
of those over whom you have so long and so ably presided.
The presentation of gifts and tokens of affection as the
reward of merit, is a time-honored custom, and confers alike
honor on both the donor and recipient. The beautiful
memento is now before you, and I need scarcely add, it is
alike worthy of the donor and of him for whom it is designed.
But it is not the exquisite skill displayed in its construction,
though executed by a master hand, nor to the fineness of its
texture, nor to its symmetrial proportions that I would direct
your attention. You will observe, that inscribed on its exterior
are certain emblems of deep significance. They are the
representations of principles and virtues as immutable as the
Throne of Deity itself, and as such are dear to the heart of
every genuine Mason throughout the globe. It is to those I
would point you; for in them you find a talismanic language
that is full of meaning. While they are almost entirely devoid
of meaning to the uninitiated, to those who have entered the
veil, they are full of import. For here we find that language
itself is but fossil poetry; words themselves are but emblems,
the natural world is full of symbols; indeed all nature may be
justly compared to a stupendous volume of emblems. Look
where you will, you discover them - around - above -
beneath you. The present occasion will admit of only a brief
notice of some of the emblems that adorn this goblet. At the
base you will recognize the three steps, the Mosaic
pavement with its teaselated border, and the blazing star.
The three steps are emblematic of the three stages of
human life, youth, manhood and age; they refer also to the
three great lights of Masonry and the three mighty pillars on
which this institution has so long and so securely rested. The
Mosaic pavement, as you well know, is emblematic of
human life. How checquered is the path of human existence,
and what a variety of scenes mingled with pain and pleasure
is presented. To-day the smiles of prosperity are profusely
showered upon us; to-morrow the chilling blast of adversity
may sweep over, and render us strangers even to those who
but as yesterday hailed us as friends. Slippery indeed is the
path we tread, and impressive the lessons we ass taught.
The beautiful tesselated border surrounding the pavement is
commemorative of that benign Providence that ever watches
over and protects us. The blazing star is emblematic of that
light which should ever shine forth from all those who have
been raised to this sublime degree, and have met upon the
five points of fellowship; and it points out to them the path
that leads to happiness and bids them walk therein.
The oak-leaves, though not strictly a masonic emblem, serve
to remind us of the brevity of human life. As the leaves fall
when breathed upon by the chilling winds of autumn, so man
withers beneath the touch of time. They form the drapery of
the majestic oak, which resembles this institution in its
capability of withstanding the storms and tempests of ages.
Here you behold the five orders of architecture, representing
the wisdom, strength and beauty of Masonry. The Ionic, in
the wisdom of its design, points to that round of the ladder,
Faith, which works by love, purifies the heart and leads us to
rest alone on Him for salvation, who alone is mighty to save.
The Doric, in the strength of its proportions, points to that
Hope which "springs eternal in the human breast," and
buoys us up amid all the ills of life. Nor does it then desert
us, for "when man dieth and wasteth away," eternal hope
bends over his last resting place a bow radiant with
immortality, which, based upon earth, soars away to God.
The Corinthian, Tuscan and Composite, in their beauty and
variety point, to the topmost round of the ladder, to that
beautiful and universal Charity that is bounded only by
Creation. The suspended G, directs our thoughts above to
the supreme Architect of the universe, and to a
contemplation of the wonderful works of his Creation. Here
you observe, are the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses,
the three Tapers, the Trowel, the Plumb, Square and Level,
the Gauge and Gavel. And all these are surrounded by that
beautiful emblem, the seeds of the pomegranate, which
are emblematic of the beauty and purity of the truth and
precepts taught through those various impressive emblems.
Here is the jewel designating the rank to which you have
attained, and here the laurel wreath gracefully entwines itself
around the inscription the Goblet bears.
And lastly, encircling the whole, you observe the endless
chain, which is emblematic of the unity of this fraternity. We
are all bound together by the same common ties,
irrespective of nation, clime, sect or profession. Meeting
upon thin common level, we form a chain stronger than
adamant, and as we believe, lasting as time. Scattered
though we be, through every section of the globe, yet
whether its votaries be found amid the snow-capped hills of
the frigid North, or upon the arid plains of the great Sahara,
the principles of Masonry are still the same. And like the
mighty chain of the Andes, forming as it does the
impenetrable fortress of the Western Hemisphere against
the surges of the Pacific, so the members of this fraternity,
while thus bound, present to the world a bond of union that is
invulnerable.
And now, in the name of the members of CLARKE LODGE,
No. 51, I present you this Goblet, trusting that this renewed
manifestation of their esteem, will incite you to a more ardent
devotion, (if possible) to the principles of this Order. And
may this moral edifice, that links itself to the ages of the past,
descend to the latest posterity with a degree of brilliancy
equal to that of the meridian sun.
After a pause, during which Bro. Monsarrat appeared much
affected, he arose and replied as near as possible in these
terms:
"Brethren of Clarke Lodge:- I am sensible that no language I
can use will adequately express the gratitude I feel in
receiving this token of your brotherly love. The occasion and
manner of its presentation enhances the value of the
compliment, and render it more difficult for me to make a
suitable acknowledgment. You have deemed it proper, my
brethren, to practice that holy Masonic virtue, "silence," in
the preparation of this evidence of your approbation of the
manner in which I have discharged the duties of Master of
your Lodge for the last eighteen months, and thereby
deprived me of the opportunity of replying in an appropriate
manner to the eloquent address accompanying this
magnificent gift. Bro. Morris, you have truthfully described
the emblems displayed by the hand of the master workman
on this splendid specimen of artistical skill, and any further
allusion to them on my part, would be deemed superfluous
and unnecessary. They are emblematical, and it is only by a
practice of the principles they represent, that Masonry,
inanimate and cold, becomes fresh and living truth, having
an application "to all men at all times." Then they become
glorious in wisdom, radiant with beauty, warm and breathing
with a knowledge of the Great I AM.
Brethren, when called upon by your partiality, for the first
time, to the proud station of Master of this Lodge, I entered
upon the arduous and responsible duty with a distrust of my
own ability; but relying on your generous confidence, I have
endeavored to adhere strictly to the established usages of
our ancient institution, which has never failed to secure
perfect order, subordination, mutual co-operation, unity of
action, and the welfare and prosperity of its members,
rendering us indeed, a sacred band or society of friends and
brethren among whom no contention exists. Such, my
brethren, will ever be the result, when the members of a
Lodge work and labor from the love of all, and are governed
by what is just and right, from a love of the principles of our
time-honored Order. We are here taught to practice brotherly
love, relief and truth, and to observe strictly those cardinal
virtues, temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice. By an
adherence to these, Masons will never fail in rendering
themselves happy and useful, and in contributing in a
commensurate degree to the welfare and happiness of
mankind, My Brethren, I can only add, I thank you most
cordially for this testimony of your approbation of my humble
services, and trust in the hands of my offspring, when "I
shake off this mortal coil," it will prove a talisman to stimulate
them ever to do good and eschew evil.
back to top
|
