July 14, 1902.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT..
to-day. Distant though we are from that | The Address which was encased in a suitable box impressive scene, we who live in this far-off portion of your Empire, the Masons of Hong- kong, reverently desire to join in the solemn yet happy wishes of the hour, and to add to thos3 of others our own profound congratulations.
Back in the cycle of time, a thousand years and more before the Christ was born, there in the Holy City, was built the temple of Solomon the King. In Nature's earth deep were its foundations laid, and slowly rose its majestic | walls, its stately columns, the ate they called the Beautiful, the exquisite semblances of flowers and fruits and palms, the wondrous roof of gold and spikes of precious metal, wrought and fashioned all by the craftsmeu of the time, and tested in their places with the level, the plumb, and the square. Upwards, ever upwards, under the guiding care of our Grand Master Hiram the Architect did the sacred pile progress, until the work was done and beneath the wings of the sculptured Cherubim rested the Ark of the Covenant in the mansion of the Triune God. Thereafter, from man to man, from the monarch to the serf, from the strong to the weak, from the old to the young, down the path of time, Masonry passed through the Eons of the Ages, bearing on its banners the profession of its faith; the Fatherhood of God and the Brother hood of Man, until jewelled with charity, a priceless gem, it reached the Masons of to-day. So, as the Temple emerged from disorder to order, from shapeless materi ls to symmetry and perfect art, as the Brotherhood grow from its infancy of the past to its manhood of the present, the Monarchy of Britain has advanced through hundreds of years from the tumalts and unrest of the darker ages to the system of right and law which is now Great Britain's heritage. From the Monarchs before the Conquest to the dynasty of the Normans, from the Plantagenets to the Standards of the Roses, from the Tudors and the Stuarts to the Hanoverians, it has been built stone by stone and arch by arch, un'il to-day, on foundations which have borne it through the stress of the centuries and the burden of everlasting time, with walls which are cemented by freedom and columns which rest on the rock of truth, Eng. land's Monarchy sits on England's throne, the symbol of justice to all who shelter beneath its flag, and the haven where, secure from storms, ride the argosies of humanity laden with all
was also the work of Mesers. Kelly & Walsh.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI next approached the Governor's table to present the Chinese Addres 1. He said-May it please your Excellency, I have the honour to present on behalf of the Chinese Community an humble address to His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII, our Sovereign Lord. The address has been prepared in joyons anticipation of His Majesty s Coronation. It is composed in Chi- uese and carved อน wood. An English translation of it is contained in this silver casket. and WB would r. spectfully request your Excellency to forward both to His Majesty for his gracious acceptance. The Chinese inhabitants of this Colony are ever sensible of the many and immense benefits they have received from the British Crown; they acknow- ledge with gratitude their heavy indebtedness to the British Government for much of their happiness, prosperity, and advancement; they, cherish with profouned reverence and lasting affection the memory of our late beloved Queen Victoria the Great and Good; and they look forward to the Coronation of Their Majesties the King and Queen with great and exceeding | joy. All His Majesty's loyal Chinese subjects in this Far Eastern Colony have learnt with sorrow and deep sympathy the recent illness of their King, and they earnestly pray that His Majesty may, under the blessing of deaven, be speedily restored to health. They desire most respectfully to assure His Majesty of their devotion and loyalty to his person and throne, and they humbly pray that His Majesty may have a long, happy, peaceful, and glorious reign. I crave your Excellency's permission to read the English translatiou of the Address.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI went on to read the Address as follows:-
that man considers his dearest and his best.
To members of the Craft Your Majesty's Coronation is of especial interest, for we are privileged to call you one of our Brethren. I 1869 You were installed Grand Master of the Templars of the United Kingdom, and in 1873 Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Nor did the sympathy in Masonry of England's Royal Blood stop at your assump- tion of this high office, for His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, following your foot- steps, has embraced the precepts of the Order and succeeded you as Grand Master.
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Although enrolled in our masonic ranks are many who, not being subjects of the British Crown, owe their lealty to other Powers, we all are fettered by fraternity's bond, and in brotherly affection and deep respect we venture to hold out to your Majesty the hand of fellow- ship across the seas and send you greetings from the East, joining in prayer to the Great Architect, of all that He will have your welfare in His keeping until the hour, predestined by the King of Kings, when through mortality's portals you will pass to the Eternal Elohim, and hear for evermore the Voice that taid "Let there be light."
[Here followed signatures.] HIS EXCELLENCY formally accepted the Address.
This Address, which was about, the same size as that from the general community, was bound in Royal purple and heavily mounted in gold. The centre piece was the Royal Arms; in the corner-pieces the design consisted of the shamrock, thistle, and rose, intertwined with compasses and set-square and with the Chinese emblem which carries with it wishes for long life. The inside lining of the cover was electric blue. The Address. was printed in blue and gold. At the top of the first
page-the Address ran to four-was the Masonic emblem of the square and compasses. The border contained the four national emblems already mentioned, with the Masonic between each.
A Humble and Reverend Address presented to HIS MAJESTY KING EDWARD THE SEVENTH of the United Kingdom, of Great Britain and Ireland, by the Chinese Community of Hongkong.
On the twenty-sixth day of the month of June, in the year 1902, the ceremony of Your Majesty's Coronation will b celebrated, Throughout the circuit of the wide world, on whatever place the sun and moon shine, wherever, by land or by sea, the British Flag floats, there will not be one househ ld that will not be filled with worship, there will be no one who will not join in singing songs of joy and praise. From far and near all will unite in wishing Your Majesty a long life in which to make your people happy and pros-
perous.
The peu of the readiest writer would fail to give full expression to the feelings of affection and loyalty which stir the hearts of Your Majesty's Chinese subjects in Hongkong. But, with a humble obeisance, we venture in this hymn of praise to touch upon what we feel,
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We, the Chinese of Hongkong, are proud of being Your Majesty's subjects. We have long been indebted to Your Royal House for protec tion and its fostering love has sunk deeply into our hearts. We hope to see a vigorous fruit from your benignant rule, and to receive at your hands many kindnesses. We thank Your Majesty for your fatherly care and protection, and we swear eternal loyalty. Your Majesty's loving servants and subjects pray Heaven to shower down countless blessings on Your Majesty.
May Your Majesty live for thousands of years and enjoy boundless happiness.
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Here followed signatures.
The Chinese Address was in the shape of a massive carved tablet 8 feet long by 5 foot wide, the carving being very artistically executed, and illuminated in gold-and variegated colours. A striking border enclosed the design, in which the Dragon played a prominent part. An English translation of th› Address was printed by Messrs. Kelly & Walsh, This was done on silk and was executed in red with blue initials, the initial letters being surrounded by gold filigree work, and the whole enclosed in a green border. This Address, which was made to roll round a silver rod, was encased in a massive silver and gilt casket of ornate design, 18 inches long and 6 inches high, and standing upon four dragons' beads. The casket was supplied by Wang Hing, who deserves grea credit for the excellence of the workmanship.
All the Addresses having now been presented Bis EXCELLENCY said-Gentlemen, I con fess that I am very much pleased that you have decided to send there Addresses forward. I think your decision was both sound and wise. Believe me in saying this. I lave ben in- fluenced by, no unworthy motive of personal consideration. Intensely proad as I am to-day. of being the Officer Administering your Govern- ment, through whose bands these Addresses will pass, and yet, owing to the universal kindness I have met with at Hongkong, you have taught me so completely to identify myself with your best interests that were I not absolutely certain that it was right and wise and in perfect taste to send them forward now under the circum- stances, no personal consideration should have induc. d me to advise you or even to allow you to do it. Permit me to digress for one moment and congratulate Hongkong generally on the good judgment and good taste that have guided you ju this Coronation time, With no official note to guide us, Hongkong of itself elected to carry out what we have subsequently learned was practically the official programme ordered from home. Holidays which had been looked forward to by hard-working people as days of rest were allowed to continue. The little chil 'ren were not for- gotten, and the joyous service of thanksgiving was changed into a devout and fervent service of intercession on bebalf of our King. This, practically, we have learned since, was the off- cial programme adopted at home And so with these Addresses. Addresses like these, so care- fully prepared, so beautifully got up, so artisti- cally designed, are not the work of a few days. They are the result of many months of careful forethought and consideration. You, gentlemen, mouths ago prepared these Addresses in joyful anticipation of the Corotation of our King. Owing to his sudden und distressing illness that Coronation had to be postponed; and surely, gentlemen, if His Majesty would be gratified at receiving Addresses of loyalty and devo- tion from his people in his hour of triumph and prosperity-surely they would be a lasting consolation to him in his hour of sickness and distress. Here is one Address prepared and for- warded by the European residents of the Colony, breathing in every line words of devotion and loyalty. Surely the King will be pleased to receive this. Here is one from the Masons of Hongkong to the King, himself of the highest order of Masons. Surely he will be glad to receive that. And, lastly, here is one from the Chinese who have elected voluntarily to live under his flag, which is the emblem of freedom and good government, of justice and Your Majesty has learnt the secret of equity, of right and righteousness. Surely, a kingdom's prosperity. By adhering to the gentlemen, His Majesty will be as gratified to rule, but modifying it to meet varying con- receive these Addresses in, as we hope, his day ditions, the prosperity will be made lasting of convalescence as he would be to receive them and the renown of your Government will' in the triumphal hour of his Coronation. be widely manifested.
(Applause.) Hongkong is, so to speak the
Divine was the wisdom of Her Majesty the late Queen. She drew men of all nations to her by her kindness; she treated those from afar with benevolence. Her fame reached to the East and to the West. The innermost hearts of all were moved by it. Not even by the sages of antiquity were her virtues equalled.
Your Majesty has inherited her justice and Her wisdom. Eternal good will spring from this succession of virtues.
Majestic was Her late Majesty's ronon. her dominions were enlarged, and from far and near willing homage was paid to her. Under her rule the sea slept smooth as glass, the land rested undisturbed. Her armies maintained peace and kept inviolate the circle of her kingdom.
Standing at. her side Your Majesty has learnt the truth of the maxin that firmness and kindness are equally necessary to ensure success. Her late Majesty had closely at heart the development of commerce. She well knew that food is all important to the people, and that riches make a nation strong; that unless the granaries and storehouses were well filled her subjec's could not be protected nor civilisation and righteousness promoted and maintained.
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