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JOHN'S UODQE, OOUUMSUS, MISS., U.S., ON THE OCCASION OB" THB DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL, AURORA. PUBLISHED BY BROTHER S. E. HORNE, FOR THE RlSmO SUN LODGE, No. 129, G.R.O. THB PROFITS TO BE DEVOTED TO BENEVOLENT PURPOSES. 1866. r^<^/ A.D DUE SS, B^Sr ALFIO IDE GH^A.SSI, ON THB OCCASION OF THH DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL, AURORA. i I "-■'5 Brethren, Ladies and Genltemen, — Tho occasion and the presence of so large an assemblage affords a proper and an interesting opportunity for asserting tho dignity and respectability of our Institution, and to repel the slander obloquy and reproach, which ignorance and prejudice are dis- posed to cast npon it. Misguided popular opinion has at all times confounded our fraternity with the lUuminees of Germany the Jacobms of France, and tho Carbonari of Italy, and has ascribed with fertile ingenuity, views, plans, and practices, which are wholly repugnant to our professions, and abhorrent to our feel- ings. ^ To remove this unfavourable impression from the public mind it IS only necessary to advert to the antiquity of our venerable Order, and to review in historical detail the progress of our Art in the different ages of the world, under the auspices of tho icreat and the good who have engaged in the work. This would be a pleasing task, did time permit me to enter on so wide a field ; now, however, I can only detain you with a few examples and hints on so vast a subject. The great principles of Masonry exist in the essential attributes of the glorious Architect of tho Universe, and are illustrated in the work of Creation, by which order was brought out of confu- sion, and symmetry, regularity and beauty stamped upon chaos The Divine Master said, Let there be light: and there was light. He appointed the "Firmament:" audit was so" He separated the waters from the dry land, and saw that ''it was good. He commanded the earth to bring forth grass and the tree, yielding fruit. He formed the moon and the ctars • and spoke into existence the animate world. He made man in his own image, and implanted in his soul a delight of harmony pro- portion, brotherly love, morality, and religion; and after erectine this stupcnaous fabric of physical and moral being, He rested- from His work. °' This was in the year of the world one, or 4003 years before the birth of Christ. But though by sin Adam fell from his original and happy state, and was expelled from the Garden of Ed3n, he still retained great knowledge, especially in " Geometry." Adam, when expelled, resided in places where he could be best protected from the varying influences of the seasons until his sons grew up to form a Lodge. He then taught them Geometry, and the uses it was put to in Architecture. Thus Cain wlucn expelled, in A.M. 130, from Adam's presence, went forth and built a strong city, and called it Enoch, after his eldest son, whose race followed the example; for Tubal-Oain worked in metals. Jubal invented practical music and the psal- tery and the harp ; and Jabal built cities. Nor was Cain's brother Seth, the Patriarch of the other half of mankind, less instructed, for he transmitted Geometry, or Masonry, to his lato posterity, and these were the better instructed, by reason of Adam's rcEid* ing among them until his death, in A.M. 930. The successors of Adam, in the direction of the craft, were Seth, Enoch, Cainan, Mahalaleel, and Jared, whose son, godly Enoch, died not, but was translated alive, soul and body, into heaven, at the age of 3G5 (A.M. 987). Enoch was expert and bright, both in Science and the Art, and being a prophet, foretold the destruction of the earth for sin : first by water, and after- wards by fire. Ho built two largo pillars, one of stone, and the other of brick, on which he inscribed the discoveries of the Arts and Sciences, particularly "Geometry" or Masonry — formerly synonymous terms — that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of stone might remain, to exhi. bit these discoveries to the future ages of mankind, Josephus mentions in Book I. chap, ii., that the pillar of stone remained in the land of Syriad in his day. Jared lived after his son Enoch 435 years, and died A.M. 1422, aged 962. Methuselah, the son of Enoch, succeeded Jared, and with his son Lamech, and grand-son Noah, retired from the cor- ruptions of the world, the inhabitants of which had become very wicked. In their own families they preserved the good old reli- gion of the promised Messiah pure — and also the secrets of the Koyail Art — until the Flood. Lamech died only five years before the flood, and Methuselah died a few days before it, aged 969 years, and so he could well communicate the traditions of his experienced progenitors to Noah's three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who had lived with him respectively 100, 98, and 96 years. At last, when the world's destruction drew nigh, God com- manded Noah to build an ark, or floating castle, and his three sons assisted as Deputy Master and his two Wardens in its con- struction. The ark, though built of wood only, was fashioned by the rules of Geometry, as nicely as any stone building (like true ship building in the present day), and finished when Noah I f years before the om his original Icn of Edan, ho )metry." le could be best •asons until his ;hem Geometry, dan^'s prescnco, 5noch, after hia for Tubal-Oain ic an d the psal- 1 Cain's brother less instructed, late posterity, f A dam's reeid* the craft, were lOse son, godly and body, into ras expert and rophet, foretold ater, and after- stone, and the ries of the Arts 3nry — formerly )rick should be •emain, to exhi. d, e pillar of stone iied A.M. 1422, 3dcd Jared, and id from the cor- ad become very e good old reli- 3 secrets of the ind Methuselah he could well progenitors to > had lived with ligh, God com- , and his three dens in its con- was fashioned 1 building (like led when Noah entered into his six hundredth year ; aboard which, he and h>s three sons and four wives embarked, with the living cargo of birds and animals. By God's direction they were saved, whilst the flood destroyed all the rest of mankind for their profanity and unbelief, A.M. 1G5C ; B. C. 2348. From these four Grand Officers the whole race of mankind are descended. After the ark rested on Mount Ararat they journeyed towards the west, to the land of Shinar, and dwelt there together as Noachidee, or the sons of Noah, and communicated to their off- spring, who were all of one language and speech, the secrets of Geometry and the Arts and Sciences they had preserved. And 101 years after the flood, when Foley was born, Father Noah partitioned the earth among them, and ordered them to disperse and take possession of their several allotments ; this they did not like to do, but resolved to stin continue as one family, fearing the consequences of separation. Nimrod (the meaning of which word is rebel), grandson of Ham, was at tht head of those who did not wish to separate ; or if they must do so, they would build a city and a tower, by which to transmit their memorial to all ages ; this they commenced to do under him as Giand Master, on the banks of the Tygris, in the fertile valley of Shinar. But their vanity provoked the Grand Master of the Universe to confound their design, by confounding their lip or speech ; hence the city and tower vvere called Babel (which means confusion). Thus, in the year of the world 1810, or 164 years after the flood, and 53 years after they had commenced to build, they were compelled to desist, and to disperse, as had been comr- .xided by Noah. ^ They went off east, west, north, and south, and from Shinar the Science and Arts were carried to the most distant parts of the earth, notwithstanding the confusion of dialects ; that, indeed, gave rise to the Mason's faculty and universal practice of convers- ing without speaking, and of knowing each other by signs and tokens. Having thus traced Masonry to the building of the Tower and City of Babel, time would not permit me, even if I had the capa- city to trace it into the many countries into which it was carried by the posterity of Noah ; suffice it to say, that it can be dis- tinctly traced in every land, except in the south and west of Africa, and except also any just accounts of the fair and gallant posterity of Noah's eldest son, Japheth, whose posterity first replenished old Scythia, from Norway eastward to America, nor of those in Italy, Greece, Gaul, Germany, Britain, &c. Passing over this intermediate time, we find perpetuated in Exodus xxxv. the name of that great Master Mason, Bezaleel, who was filled vrAh the Spirit of God, in "wisdom and understanding," and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise curious works, to work in gold, in silver and in brass, and in tho cutting of stones to set them, and in carving wood to make all kinds of cunning work. This skilful builder, with Aholiab, and tho "wise hearted men" in whom tho Lord put "wisdom rnd undcrstand- mg," wrought in tho service of tho sanctuary, which was con- structed after tho pattern shown by Moses in tho Mount. But it was at the building of King Solomon's Temple that tho excellency of Masonry was exhibited in all its sublimity and beauty. In tho erection of thi« stupendous and magnificent edifice no less than 3,000 Master Masons, 80,000 fellow crafts, and 70,000 labourers were employed— a grand total of 150,000 men. The Grand Master, Ilirara, who was endowed with understand- ing, and skilful to work, in gold, silver, brass, iron, stone, and timber, directed the undertaking, as Chief Architect. From this era again Masonry can bo distinctly traced to tho fall of tho Roman Empire, when it was in some degree obscured in the darkness and barb-irity of the period which followed. Masonry was first introduced into Britain at its conquest, by Julius Cresar, who landed at Dover, 20th August, A.M. ;}949 or 51 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, and continued gradually to increase and flourish until tho departure of the Roman legions and the arrival of the Saxons, when true old Masonry departed. During the 1 GO years of horrid wars which occurred in Britain from the coi^quest by the Saxons, no vestige of it remains, uniess we admit that of Stonehengc, and allow, with some, that Ambro- sius, King of the Britons, raised that famous monument on Salis- bury Plain, by the art of marvelious Merlin, (whom tho populace counted a Conjin-or and a Prophet), in remembrance of the bloody conquest, in w!'.jh llengist murdered 300 British nobles. The Anglo Saxons were rough, ignorant heathens, despising every thing but war, and in hatred to the Romans and Britons, destroyed every accurate structure, and all the glorious remains of ancient learning. Some pious Welsh and Scotchmen came over as teachers, and converted many to Christianity ; but it was not till the year .597 that Ethelbert was baptized King of Kent; and about fifty years after, all the kings of tho Heptarchy were baptized. From this time forth they commenced to build churches and monasteries and fine mansions. Having nothing but the Gothic style to copy from, they lamented the ignorant and des- tructive conduct of their fathers, and knew not how to repair the loss of the old styles of Architecture. From this era Masonry again commenced to rise, but did not regain its pristine state, although it was patronized by the kings, until learning and civilization awoke from the night of ignorance, superstition, and rude stupidity ; then Masonry arose and asserted its supremacy, and M^ith the first dawn spread its influence rapidly over Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. In 1790 a Lodge was established in Nova-Scotia, and in Penn- sylvania it was shortly after brought there by the English sol- id in tho cutting iiako all kinds of b, and tho "wise pnd undcrstand- which was ccn- Mount. Temple that tho 3 sublimity and and magnificent fellow crafts, and of 150,(500 men. ith understand- iron, stone, and itect. ly traced to the degree obscured di followed. :ts conquest, by St, A.M. 3949 or tinued gradually c Roman legions isonry departed. urred in Britain t remains, uniess me, that Ambro- [lumcnt on Salis- om tho populace ice of the bloody ih nobles. thens, despising ans and Britons, glorious remains ■Scotchmen came nity ; but it was d King of Kent; Heptarchy were build churches nothing but the jnorant and des- ow to repair the •ise, but did not tronizod by the )m the night of n Masonry arose dawn spread its America. a, and in Penn- the English sol- diers, who came to protect tho Colonists of the eastern portion of tho States, now known as the United States of America ; from thenco it gradually spread itself northward. But the original Charters from which Masonry in Canada sprung, came from England — that in Quebec the most ancient. Rawdon Lodge held its sittings under a Warrant from the Prince of Wales, Having now cursorily traced Masonry from its foundation to its debut in Canada, 3 u, perhaps, would like that I should con- tinue a subject so fruitful for the Canadian Mason, and sketch its progress here; but time will not permit, and I can only stat'' i mt the first Masonic Lodge (Rawdon) that sat in Toionto -^"..a on the 14th day of May, 1 797 ; and that Masonry has continued to flourish as the green bay tree sinco that period. That this Dis- trict alone contains 23 Lodges, over which I have tho honor to preside, and that there are 175 Lodges now working under the G-and Lodge of Canada, besides several working under other jurisdictions. If we look back through the long vista of ages, so far as his- tory, tradition, or other evidences point, do we not find the most celebrated sages, heroes, and patriots, numbered with the craft. If we open the sacred volume of inspiration, will we not discover a recognition of Masonry in numberless paj>3ages, and so indubi- table as to convince us that the writers had a knowledge of the Art. Without reference to the many texts which support this suggestion, there is one so clear, I must ask you to examine it. In xxviii. chap, of Isaiah, IG verse, you will find these remarkable words :— "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, " Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation : he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment will I also lay to tho line, and righteousness to the plummet," &c. Here it is obvious that emblems are taken from Masonry to illustrate and enforce religious and moral truths. But Masonry is not only venerable for its antiquity, honorable from the virtue, merit and talents of the Brethren in every age of the world, and praiseworthy for the utility of its labours ; it possesses, besides, in its nature, every principle that dignifies or adorns humanity, and every quality that sweetens and embellishes life. "To do Justice and love Mercy" are the peculiar characteristics of the Brethren'; and the beautiful charge of our Divine Master, " Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you," is impressed on the heart of every true Mason ; the walls of a Lodge shut out evil passions : malice, guile, hypocrisy ; envy and evil speaking enter not there, whilst afiections that soften the heart to benevolence are received and cherished. These are the fundamental principles of our Order, and are summed up by that inspired Master, St. Paul, in these words : " Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, what- 8 i soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be an^ praise, think of these things." In correspondence with these principles^ should be the personal qualities of all who aspire to the honor of the Brotherhood ; they must possess Religion, Virtue, and Knowledge ; these are the pillars which support the fabric of our labours. Every Mason must then acknowledge and worship the Great Supreme ; he must build by faith upon the Rock of Eternal Truth : " For other foun- dation can no man lay than that is laid, which ii^ Jesus Christ." " Honour all men — Love the Brotherhood" — the language of that great Master, St. Peter, beautifully and forcibly expresses a Mason's obligation. In discharge of his duties to society, the Mason should be dili- gent and faithful ; to be a good citizen, he must obey the laws and respect those put in authority over him ; although he knows that all are free, yet he is aware that our Heavenly Master has appointed us to dilferent oflBces and stations in the Great Lodge of the world. He therefore renders " honour to whom honour is due," as all equally fill the places lor which they are designed. As it respects his private relations, he should regulate his con- duct by the square, the level and the plumb ; then he will be a good son, a good husband, a good parent, a good neighbour, and an honest man. He will abst.in from those debilitating vices that disqualify him from performing his work with alacrity and vigour; the calls of Benevolence will iind him ready to relieve the indigent, according to his means ; for he should recollect that our wise Master, King Solomon, says, " Whosoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself and not be heakd." But I have detained you too long in my zeal to vindicate our Order from unjust aspersions ; I think, however, although in an imperfect manner, I must have satisfied the unprejudiced inquirer after truth, that the great tendency of Masonry is to " raise the genius and to mend the heart." Brethren, Ladies, ^-c, I have only remaining to express my best wishes for the pros- perity of you all ; and in the words of our departed Brother bard say,— " iiaj freedom, harmony and love, Unite you in the grand design ; Beneath the Omniscient eye above, The glorious Architect Divine. " That you may keep the unerring line, Still rising by the plummefs law ; Tir order bright completely shine, Shall be my prayer, tho' far awa." I )ure, whatsoever report, if there )f these things." be the personal otherhood ; they s ; these are the i. Every Mason jpreme ; he must ' For other foun- is Jesus Christ." language of that ibly expresses a in should be dili- it obey the laws hough he knows enly Master has the Great Lodge whom honour is r are designed. regulate his con- hen he will be a 1 neighbour, and iebilitating vices rith alacrity and ready to relieve aid recollect that jver stoppeth his nself and not be to vindicate our , although in an ejudiced inquirer is to " raise the hes for the pros- ted Brother bard le, ST John's lodge, columbus, miss., u .3. » • » ■ Respected Hearers, — According lo ancient usage, wo annually gather round the altar of Friendship, to celebrate the increased reputation and useful- ness of Free Masonry, and pay the tribute of affectionate remem- brance to the virtues of its reputed patron, St. John the Evange- list. Thus we bring our votive incense to that temple which our i predecessors founded on the firm basis of Virtue, and supported ' by the pillars of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. We meet not to drain the bowl of intemperance, nor to indulge the excess of gluttony, but to renew the cordialities of friendship, the resolu- tions of love and good-will. We assemble not to disturb the peace of mankind, by the busier plans of ambition, nor to fabricate those arts of luxury which but augment the miseries of human life ; our object is to enliven the kindly sensibilities of nature, and all the sweet civilities of social intercourse. In view of this fact, I have have chosen as the subject of my address this even- ing — Friendship. Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren, — The Brotherhood of our race is a subject which has demanded and received much attention. The moralist and philosopher, the poet and scholar, the divine and magistrate — all have done homage to it. It is one which the dim remembrances of childhood sug- gests to our minds ; and many of the proudest and loftiest associ- ation of mar hood are eternally connected with the theme; and we love it well. The thought that the teeming population of this great earth, scattered over continents and islands, are all members of one Father's family, is noble and elevating. We no longer feel alone, when from the graves of past generations, a glad, but moving voice comes, saying: "We are thy brothers— created by thy Father, and blessed by His cheering smile." We are no longer afraid of the future, when the spirit of prophecy whispers to our souls that the countless millions who will yet tred this fair earth, and breathe its air, "bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh." And when this holy thought is in our mind, we cease to envy 10 m ^ talent, learning and goodness ; for why should I look with evil eyes upon my more highly favoured and richly blessed Brethren ? JJo not the glory of their shadow fall upon me ? Am not I bleised Dcyond my deserving, in being able to recognise the great and fpSl fi. T^ ^' ""'J J^'^dred? What greater distinction do I aesirc, than to say that these pillars of fire which once dimly luminated the darkness of the heathen world, and that Aposto- khnn^n '/ li-'^'/''''"' ^^'\^^y^ of Christ, have not ceased to labour and suffer for man-that they are my Father's children ? Let us now contemplate some of the things, which are the noblest proofs of man's brotherhood. We con°mcnce by observ! mg, that one of the most powerful passions of the soul and one universally felt and manifested, is the propensity to worship This we claim as one tie of universal fraternity. A man may forget the place of his birth, and contentedly reside among stran-ers in a strange .and; he may, in a measure, cast from him the remem- brance of those who supplied his wants in the helpless years of intancy, but he cannot banish irom his soul the idea of an Infinite iJeing. He will always remember the hvmns which his mother sung as she cared for him in childhood, and the ideas he received of God while standing by her knees. How much soever manv may neglect to do homage to that Creator, they never forget that homage IS his due. The truthfulness of this remark is heard in the mfa lel s pompous declamation respecting the laws of nature It flashes on our sight from the darkness of paganism, and was seen from the curling smoke which ascended from Abel's accented sacrifice It was heard in the sinful songs of the rebellious Israel- ite, as they danced around the golden calf, and was pointed out by the type and shadows of their laws. It was painted on the sepulchres of Jewish hypocrisy, and written oa the enlarged bor- ders of their garments. It was heard in the fierce Musselman's battle shout— " Allah is great !" in the Crusader's war cry—" God wills It ! In a word, the desire to worship is of universal extent and everywhere manifested. There, then, is one evidence of the Brotherhood of our race. On this broad basis of religious wor- ship, the scattered and wandering tribes of Adam meet Here they can see and feel that the same spiritual illumination which fires the soul of one with the hope of immortality, conducts the thoughts of all beyond the present existence. Here, they find that the idea of worship, however wild, furious,' or even flowing in some momentary outbreaks, is not a transient feeliu'r but a permarient principle of the soul. And what, I ask, can^exert a more holy, a more sanctifying influence on the soul, than this idea of worship ? There may be a great variety of opin-ons respecting its nature and influences; there may be couHi ss forms of devotional exercises, but the spirit is the same The Quaker may say it comes in the still voice of inspiration, the generality of christians, like the rushing of a niighty wind, clothing each with a tongue of fire; while the Universalist con- tends that it was planted in the soul at its first creation • but the ^ I look with evil lessee! Brethren ? Am not I bleised 56 the great and ' distinction do I liich once dimly md that Aposto- fc not ceased to .ther's children ? , which are the lonce by observ- le soul, and one worship. This man may forget mg strangers in him the reraem- lelpless years of ea of an Infinite lich his mother leas he received 3h soever many ever forget that lark is heard in laws of nature, mism, and was Abel's accepted ebellious Israel- ^as pointed out painted on the enlarged bor- :e Musselman's varcry— "God niversal extent, evidence of the ' religious wor- n meet. Here nination which , conducts the ere, they find r even flowing feeling, but a Ic, can exert a 50ul, than this y of opinions ' be count iuss e same. The ispiration, the mighty wind, liversalist con- ation j but the principle is unaltered ; and the development of Christianity will surely make the ties of Brotherhood more strongly felt. For who can doubt that when religion has accomplished its perfect work in the soul of man, each will hail every member of his race as a brother, and " do unto others even as he would that others should do unto him." Another evidence of man's universal Brotherhood is his love for all that is good. This, like the religious principle, is of uni- versal prevalence. None escapes its influence. Man feels a prin- ciple of good in his soul which sympathises and holds communion with all the good in the universe. It binds him to all of God's creation. He sees an unwritten and unspoken good in the mate- rial universe, and his heart throbs with pleasure when contem- plating the rich and diversified scenes of nature. In the animal tribes he sees plainer manifestations ot its existence, and still more strongly does he become attached to them. Ilis love for the good has been manifested by all men of all ages. It binds man to man. We love not man's errors ; but we love the good we see in his heart, the moral and spiritual image of his Maker, which he carries in his soul. With this we can sympathise and hold communion. When we see it given to one in a great measure, we would fain wipe out with the hand of affection, the few stains common to our race ; and when the love of goodness attains full strength in the soul, who can form an estimate of the number and richness of those blessings which fall on us and our kind? In our present Imperfect condition, wc love all good men ; and when all become perfect, we shall continue to love them, not from choice, but necessity/. Another evidence of the fraternity of our race,, is moral senti- ment. This is intimately connected with the preceding, but is put under a distinct head. Morality is morality the wide world round. None are so depraved themselves as to turn in disgust from moral integrity. None so heartless as to love it. None so bad as not to respect it in others. Every nation has its own paragon of virtue and purity. The Turks have Mahomet ; the Chinese, Confucius ; the Arnericans, Washington ; and &c. On the other hand, the foul-mouthed swearer is disgusted when he hears the blasphem' s of others. The inebriate will preach tem- perance ; the thief iias no confidence in his partner in robbery, even while sharing the plunder ; and the murderer turns in loath- ing from the shedder of blood. They may have travelled so far on their downward road as to give no outward manifestation of their respect for morality, yet they feel a power in their souls which speaks to their consciences, while their lips are closed. This, then, in brief, is another tie of common Brotherhood. But there is still another evidence of this Brotherhood, and which may properly be called the very cement of its holy ties — Free Masonry. The increasing prosperity of this Order presents a subject of profound study on the part of those who observe the signs of the times, and have faith in human perfectability. Mil- i! s m fZl\fe.\7FlX''^''^ '*"? *°;'^«y ^'^ "^°^«*^ ^y the divine Sis C nf ?L ^- T'^; J\^- ''^^^' ^'^' eleam on innumerable Son; • mnn L? highest distinction in all the learned profes- and sWr i ?'"^"''^'^. ^^' P^e'^y ^"'^ benevolence in Church love tL fto P»'^'i! r^ ^!:^*''"'''^ sympathy in our temples of shin'. nTf T- '"^ l""F; ^°"« ^Ses ago was kindled on Friend- Sn ^^^^T' ^o"t'""es toblaze forth as the Aurora of a new day, fKlhnnf f 1. '^" T^ L^ht ^^^h hill and stream and valley bea?^-n nnLn' ""'^^'^^ ^^^^d, while the hearts of millions svmnathv T 'V/*^ °"' pulsation, at the touch of human MnTnnl. 1 whatever cause this unbounded influence of Free frfendsMn?^- l^K '"^"^'-^ ^'^'^^her to the pure and unfading of i?. r^lh '^ the principles of the Order inspire in the hearts ?n^s or Tho T ' °y t' ^'"u"*^ ^"^ S'--'^'^^^"^ °^ its moral teach- RhU oL r bewitching charm of the solemn and mysterious thlZ ?. .^•^''^"^;^"'fs through which its members pass,-one fts^fpr 7k' n 1 'f ^'^••'^ ^''"^ternity which embraces and unites in nd nnMn / ""J^"' 'P''' ""^^'^ ^^«^y ^0^"^ of government and rfnri .r'^^ diversity of feeling and sentiment-the Jew thL T^ '>fW%T"'^ '"^ ^^^'^^'' ^"^^•''^" ^"^ Cossack; one tnmg 1 say that Masonry must exert a great and mi^^htv nflu- exr^i'nnh' n*^' 7^'l '' ^°° ^'' "^^"'^"d- That it° do^es not exert an unhal owed influence-that it does not make men worse nlccl "T.^ ?'^?'' '' ''Abundantly evident in the living wit- nesses scattered all around us-in that charity and lifc|ivinl wffh V^m' '^ '""'"'. ".^"^'^ "Shiest work," becomes a co-worke? with his Maker, and in the which every good and true Mason devotes hmself with all the freshness and^igourrhis cultSd and we 1-tramed intellect. If Free Masonry rs corrupt n its tendencies, both moral and physical, as some would^ave us bel eve, from whence spring those good and wholesome fruits Trn^n.- ^^,,f ""^^"t to behold? From whence those holy Sr? T ""i^ "'' ^.T' ^"^ '^''f' *hat are woll pleasing in IIeaven'8 nof hi- / ^r' 'S^?"'. ^"^^ ••authority that a corrupt tree can- not bring forth good fruit; and if Free Masonry is a bad institu- be Pv '" "Jtu'-al consequence would be, that its tendencies would ♦itino, oil Ik '"^h was actually the case, instead of Mason's prac- ^J^^S.f,^^'\''^^f'^^\'^^rtues which grace humanity, they would commit deeds of a damning nature. Instead of relieving "he tn%T'A ^"^ta.ning the widow and educating the orphan,"they Z nfh ^'^'T^y ^-ho claim to be the good, - pass them by on the other side." But, thank God, such is not the case' The course of conduct which Mason's generally love pursued, has had a tendency to do away with that vulgaf prejudice which once existed against us Among the many benefi^f influen^eslrived ZZ^; T '*""? 'f '""^ principles of Masonry, may be men- wmli strong tendency to unite men in the promotion of good Toi r r '^'^V^'^'^.r^^ encourage the advancement of the social feelmg and band them closely in the indissoluble bond of sympathy and union. The Mason, from whatever section o? the world he may come, or wherevar he may wander, he finds him- 13 ed by the divine tn on innumerable »e learned profes- olence in Church in our temples of tindled on Friend- ora of a new day, ;ream and valley earts of millions touch of human influence of Free ire and unfading pire in the hearts its moral teach- and mysterious nbers pass, — one 3es and unites in n of government timent — the Jew id Cossack; one nd mighty influ- 'hat it does not make men worse the living wit- Y and life-giving >mes a co-worker and true Mason of his cultivated corrupt in its would have us holesome fruits jnce those holy sing in Heaven's orrupt tree can- is a bad institu- endencies would >f Mason's prac- ity, they would )f relieving the le orphan, they ass them by on the case ! The ^rsued, has had ice which once 3uences derived , may be men- )motion of good ncement of the soluble bond of r section of the , he finds him- self surrounded and cheered by friends and brothers ; thus un5t« ing, around one common altar, men of different tastes and feel* ings, whose views upon religion are as wide apart, comparatively speaking, as the North and ^onih— surely we may, without pre- sumption, claim a good and healthful influence for our time* honoured Order. We may claim that it has largely contribute! towards the advancement of the glorious reign for which we wait and pray " when peace shall wave her olive wand over all the earth, and man universally shall learn hatred no more, but shall be imbued with the noblest spirit of Heaven — shall be governed by one law, and that the law of love." And, believe me, were the law of love to be fully acknowledged, no other law would be necessary for the government of mankind. Could man divest him.self entirely of the cloak of selfishness with which he is habit- ed from infancy to the closing of life, and open his heart to this ftoble attribute of the Almighty's power — loving his neighbour as himself, and carrying out the principles of brotherly love to their fullest extent — harmony would then be on its march to perfection, and the world be illumined by the light of a never- fading guiding star, as a beacon light for its weary wanderers. And although this is far from being the case now, the formation of the world, and the manner in which it was peopled, furnish arguments in support of the supposition, that such was the ulti- mate intention of its Creator. In the morning of earth's exist* ence, one man was placed upon its broad domain, to whom it was given to be the father of mankind ; and from him has sprung the whole human race. The law of love was the first principle then imparted to the human breast ; and from that day down to the present, not a human being can be found, but in whose bosom the same great law has been implanted, thougli it may have been choked and overgrown by habits and propensities of a nature calculated to stifle and impede the growth and progress of this great first principle. The fact that hate, its extreme antagonistic principle — was engendered in the breast of Cain, and has since descended through all succeeding ages ; and that there are few instances on record like that of David and Jonathan, where love is the abiding principle of the heart, do not, by any means, over* throw the belief that the law of love was to be the great law of humanity. Men, I have before remarked, were of one common origin, live the same life and tend to the same common end. Why, then, are not all essentially alike — all brothers ? Whatever difference there may exist, is of man's own procuring. Does any one for a moment suppose that there is, in reality, any difference between man and man, and that one person is better than another, merely because he can call his own a larger pile of mere nominal worth than can his neighbour ? Does any one suppose that this world's wealth is to be thrown into the balance against the human mind ? Alas I that such is the case, is but too true. But would it be so did the great law of love reign in every breast ? Far from it. And such being the fact, is it not a duty incumbent upon us to encourage and fosicr every principle that may have a il tl! AndThat ITv^^ ^^^ ^^'"^'^^ brotherhood? Thnnf fV / ^ *° Christianity k better calculated to bring about this happy era m the world's history than our noble Instf- tution which has for its foundation the very basisof P? s .reat hT;il ? '"T**^'^ principles-" Friendship, Morality and ^Bro- therly Love ?" Friendship I What is it ? Is it any thinK'' but a f?f~rV^'''''™ *^''^ ^""« *<> sleep?" Oh I yes I ft s ?he fond ete^:?nbordU'" ^S '"'^"^ ^™'"'^^'- ^-- G^d." Its iX ence IS unbounded and none can measure its power. It eoes hand,„ hand with Love, while Charity exerts a closer unfo^ And you, my Brethren of the mystic tie-how pleasant uTs surrounded as you continually are by the busy transact ons of Sie'ndshin'fn."^.."^''^''- '' ^'"''^ ^^^'^ theiauS "e of friendship, and there enjoy its cool and refreshing shade • there rTreTir/sociaMnr'^'^^"'^^' t^T -J^y the g'entirbreeze of reirefeiiing social intercourse, which steals over the soul like balmy zephyrs, scented with sweet and fragrant odours Under Its blessed influences, sadness and sorrow and grievirg flee awav hke noxious mist before the radiant blaze of^he midday Tun' Here Fricndsh.p and Love assert their mild dominion whileVaith and Charity combine to bless the mind with peace and soften the heart M'lth sympathy." Yes, let Faith be the prominent feature • dtne It t-^of '?"'^"5^^ ^l'' ^^«- ^he puL foSn of love' sion and strife T^lf ''^'' '^' ^^'^ '''"^ ^'""'^''^ ^^orms of pas- sion and strite. It protects us with ts ample folds and wifh ifa shield wards off the fiery darts which malice' hatred or Revenge may hurl at us, causing them to fall harmless at ou? feet I? throws a brilliant light of beauty and glory over man's abode causing his countenance to be lit up with siniirof foy and gladl ness. It points him to green and delightful spots in Ccx"stence of exceeding beauty ; of bubbling springs which cush un hv fh^ way s.de, aliording him delicious^dfaugSs o pll"sureLd^ioy It causes to hover over his destiny the bright angel of gladness^* and as he wanders along life's devious track, bf theafd of he Star of Hope everything appears to live in its loveliest aspect • trm"":oc.T wilh'"'' !'^^^^^"''^"' ^^^^'-^ with unSg cnarms, vocal with ceaseless songs of melody. It soothes hit passions, exhilarates his feelings, and tranquilizes his mi d Tf It were not for Faith, this world with all il tautraS lovel ness, would be bleak and desolate indeed. Strike^f^m S nature his social feelings, his sympathies for his race, and hTwiU sink to a lower grade than the brute creation. Deprive him of IrlZ^ '" h's character,-it would be like blotting out the sun woSd S^h is tL""T''' 7^''\ ^'''' ^'-^^^ ^"d he^t to the TiZa A AT the nature of Faith, such its joys and consola- uTes -^:L\T1Z\''' l'""'^ '' 'T''^'''''' of Its^xquisUep?:. sures,--who is deeply imbued with its generous promntinffs— will not under any circumstances forsaki his friends wheth^ they are enjoying the warm sunshine of prosperity or strTttifn^ beneath the dark and drenching storm o'f S'l^ifu'f ^^^^ ■'.f an's brotherhood? alculated to bring an our noble Insti- basis of His great Morality and Bro- t anything "but a esl it is the fond a God. Its influ- s power. It goes ts a closer union, ow pleasant it is, sy transactions of 3 beautiful tree of fling shade ; there le gentle breeze of i^er the soul like it odours. Under jrieving flee away, the midday sun. linion, while Faith ice and soften the rominent feature ; 3 fountain of love ful storms of pas- olds, and with its latrcd, or revenge I at our feet. It ver man's abode, 3 of joy and glad- s in his existence, h gush up by the pleasure and joy. igel of gladness ; •y the aid of the loveliest aspect; t with unfailing . It soothes his zes his mind. If ^auty and loveli- rike from man's race, and he will Deprive him of ting out the sun and heat to the 5ys and consola- ts exquisite plea- ts promptings — riends, whether iy, or struggling misfortunes and 15 disappointments. He is as true in his attachments as the mag- net to polarity — alway the same, in joys or sorrows. We, my Brothers, profess to cherish this Faith ; we have all bowed around altars consecrated to its holy and sacred principles ; we have all lifted up hands without wrath, asking the Father's choicest blessing to strengthen our resolutions — to support us in maintaining its dignity, its purity and loveliness. Such is Free Masonry — a noble institution truly 1 It was founded in mercy, and its magnificent superstructure erected, and its capstone Charity, placed upon its lofty summit by and through the holy influence of love divine. Its principles are deep and all control- ling, and in them lies the strength of the Order. They are coeval with creation ; for, when the Lord by his power and wisdom formed this world with all its beauty and giandeur — the three great pillars of Masonry had their origin. Around these unbend- ing columns, in the full development of these sublime principles, cluster our highest hopes, our sweetest joys and holiest aspira- tions. When these give way beneath the accumulated load of folly and corruption, which the ignorance and wickedness of men may place upon them ; when our holy principles become utterly forsaken by those who are placed as its defenders, great and ter- rible will be its fall. But we dare not entertain the idea that such will ever be the fate of Masonry. Brothers, let us profit by the teachings and requirements of the doctrine of the Brother- hood of man. We are called by many selfish and cold-hearted, and accused of confining our charities exclusively to our own. It is true we are bound by sacred obligations to look after the interests and welfare of those who are associated with us in bonds of special Brotherhood; but, at the same time, we are under last- ing obligations to help and succour the suffering child of misfor- tune, whether he is a Mason or not. Let this admonish us to be as impartial in the bestowment of good deeds, as the circumstances of the case will admit. Let us comfort those who mourn, sym- pathize with those who travel in sorrow, life's rugged pathway, for they are brothers. In conclusion, let me say, that man is actually learning to look upon his fellow-man as a brother. And .what more ennobling and better calculated for the uprearing of humanity can be known, than a law that shall crush beneath its sway the only vice for which man has ever suffered, and rear in its stead that virtue — that attribute of God which has ever been a blessing — the virtue of Love. May the day speed rapidly on, and let those who have taken to themselves the three great lights in Masonry be the first to make sacrifices, if any are to be made, in the work of urging forward the time when "the tears of this world shall be submerged in the healing tide that shall flow from the fountains of benevolence and peace ! Then one law shall bind all nations, tongues and kindred of the earth, and that law will be the law of Universal Brotherhood. I M Ladies :— In excluding you from our Lodges, wo intend no dis- respect. Nature has endowed you with stronger sympathies a more tender heart than man's. The sphere of life in which you move is calculated to nourish and sustain these sympathies. Man, born of a sterner nature, moving in a sphere in which he comes in contact with the grosser elements of human nature, becomes hardened, and his heart becomes seared to human sym- pathy. Too often is the domestic circle a place in which to vent his griefs and disappointments in the world without. Powerful as IS woman's influence, it often fails to cherish in man's breast the kmdhcr sympathies for his fellow-man. The altar reared on the domestic hearth is sacred to love and love alone. We do not seek to rear a rival altar ; nor Love, the flame from ours, wither the flowers that twine around yours. Our offerings are alike pure, but of a different nature. Man needs a closer acquaintance with his fellow-man than he can gain at his own fireside. He needs it not only for himself, but for you and yours. Death may lay his chilling hand on him, who is your only stay and support. How pleasant will it then be to find gathering around you those who were indebted to him for acts of brotherly kindness, and who are anxious in return, to render you that kindly sympathy which the bereaved heart only can appreciate. We do not seek to estrange our Brothers from the domestic circle ; on the contrary, Wo endeavour to lead him to the performance of those social duties which are enjoined on all. We endeavour by cultivating the finer feelings of his nature, to render him more fit for the discharge of those duties and better prepared for the enjoyment of social com- forts. Then let us be co-labourers in the work of love. Let us walk together as Sisters and Brothers. We will live in the exer- cise of Love towards you, Friendship to";irds man, and Charity towards all I