KING OSCAR OF SWEDEN AND THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 714, 16 February 1853, Page 3

KING OSCAR OF SWEDEN AND THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND.

[From the " Ulster Gazette."]

We have frequently had occasion to notice, in terms of admiration, the considerate and paternal rule of Oscar, King of Sweden and Norway—a Monarch distinguished for his patronage of literature and the arts, and favourably know to t':e scientific men and savant: of the civilised worlr 1 . In his own dominions he is beloved by every right-thinking man. His gracious condescension towards the humble, and his eonsidera'e anxiety for the welfare of his subjects, have won for him a popularity which few Monarchs enjoy. As we understand our most distinguished Masonic Lodge purposes investing him with honorary membership, we avail ourselves of the present fitting opportunity to translate a letter, written in French, and addressed by the illustrious Monarch to the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The interesting and beautiful document appears in the Annual Circular for 1852, of the grand Lodge in question. Here it is, in English dress : "to the very worshipful the grand master and members of the grand lodge of scotland. •'My Brethren—The joy which every Freemason fuels ia obtaining a testimony of the friendship of his brethren, that joy I experienced on receipt of the diploma of honorary member of the Very Worshipful Grand Lodge of Scotland, which you have sent me. In assigning me this honourable position in the midst of you, you have afforded me a striking proof of your devotedness to my person. I appreciate the honour more Tparmstnirrtj , -~- —*-~r™» —«»-. ° • -J x^tinction has been conferred in this country. The office of a Freemason is, at once, noble and grand. It is our duty to labour with enlightened mind, and a heart charged with fraternal love for the perfection of the human race. The weak who are oppressed, and all those who are in trouble, have incontestable titles to our zealous and charitable protection. It is by holding firm in the indissoluble bond which unites all our brethren, however dispersed over all the surface of the globe, that we can attain to the end to which we aspire in silence, hut without ever ceasing, since we kuow that everywhere, and on all occasions, our brethren are ready to 'come to our aid with that charity, that spirit of concord, and that confidence, which should characterise all the members of our order. Be satisfied, my brethren that I observe with the utmost attention tba march o'f events in the masonic world, and that I sincerely rejoice in the success which attends on all Freemasons while labouring for the purposes which you have indicated —namely, the happiness and well-being of humanity. I offer you, my brethren, the assurance of my fraternal affection, and it is by the holy number that I recommend vou to the all-powerful protection of • he Great Architectof the Universe, who gives us peace, joy, and benediction. J •" "OsCAB. "Stockholm, September 17th, 1851. "Ad Tauvon, (L.S.) Grand Secretary of the Grand National Lodge of Scotland." This admirable letter, evidencing, as it does, the largo heart and enlightened mind of the illustrious Monarch, was received with truly fraternal respect and applause, and ordered to be interleaved in the minute book of the Grand Lodge of Sootland. We are proud to know that King will first be associated with Hibernian Freemasonry through the medium of one of the most distinguished Lodges in Ireland's model province*