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Must Be Lived.
and that " bread cast upon the waters " will como buck to ns in a rich profusion of blessings— " thirty-six and a hundred fold . " The burden of its inspirntion is vocal with the jubilant strain : " Behold how good and how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . As the dew of Hermon and the dews that descend upon tho mountain of Zion ; for there the Lord commanded His blessing , even
life for evermore . Thus it is in organic unity , whore " brethren dwell together , " that the baptismal bussing descends to gladden the desert places of earth .
The question now comes up , How does Masonrv propose to appl y tho principles of her Craft so as to accomplish the results contemplated in her organisations ? Then
aro two things that must enter as necessary factors into tbe system of moral and social development in the character of man .
The first is a proper and available method of instrnction in the grand truths it teaches . Masonry was originally an operative art . In the course of ages it became a speculative science . As an operative art it had innumerable
implements with which to work out its designs . Each implement had its specific use . When it became a speculative science every one of these implements was transformed into a moral instructor , and became an impressive emblem of some distinguished Masonic virtue . Thus the
square and compass taught rectitude and circumspection ; the plumb line and level taught uprightness and equality of condition before God ; tho lambskin apron taught purity of character ; tho ashlar and gavel told of culture and
improvement ; the trowel was a beautiful reminder of brotherly love ; aud everything * around bore tho symbolic impi'ess of some lesson of culture and progress in the divine ait of upright living . And thus , in its Masonic
significance , everything has a meaning * . All signs , ceremonies , ornaments , implements , lights , furniture—all spoke a symbolic language ; all wero vocal with the sublime teachings of a typical morality , ever present , ever
impressing the mind with their significant instructions . Indeed , when a man enters the threshold of Masonry , he enters a grand mystic and symbolic temple , where every pillar and column , every angle and arch , where dome and
canopy , wall , floor with blazing star and mosaic pavemerit , where portal and guardian , ladder aud canopy , altar and incense , are all vocal with the melody of Divine truth , and all watched over by a hallowed Divine Presence .
In every degree , in every measure of advancement ; in every step of progress , the intelligent Mason is perpetually environed with the ever increasing light of accumulating intelligence in things good and true until he goes to take his
place in that living templo not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . And now , brethren , from such a temple as this ; with such influences and surroundings ; with such methods of instruction and moral training , what
kind of worshippers ought we to expect as its representative votaries ? Are the profane and vile the drunkards and gamblers , the swearers and Sabbath-breakers , and swindlers and mockers of God
the slanderers and liars and debauchers of this world—are these to go forth as tho exponents and representatives of the hi gh and noble teachings of such . an Institution ? No , my brethren ! Let our sacred portals be closely tyled
and for ever guarded against the wicked and profane , and the reproach of our dishonoured name be snatched from the dust whither these unworth y representatives have too often consigned it . What , indeed , is Masonry but
a sounding * brass and a hollow ghastly mockery , unless its principles' are lived out , not in the empty delusions of signs and ceremonial and ritual , hut in the sublime realit y of a good and trne life ?
The second condition of moral and social development in a true Masonic life is the establishment of a common bond of unity , a great centre of attraction around which way gather the hi ghest motives and the truest inspirations
of all hearts . It has already been stated that the natural tendency of man ' s true nature is to love and do good to his fellow man , when unperverted by prejudice or mistrust , or unbiassed by the dictates of his own selfishness . Suppose ,
now , that there could be established between Masons an "understanding that each brother of the Order shall become the guardian and . keeper of the other ' s happiness
and well-being , to contribute to his necessities , to relieve his wants in hours of distress , to lift the burden of suffering and sorrow from his life in the days of adversit y , to pour into his heart the wine and oil of a trne brotherl y
Must Be Lived.
kindness ; and suppose this bond of charity ba mutual , how grand and noble ifc would bo in tho sphere of its operations ! Wh . it a precious boon to feel that all the good , all tho kindness wo show to our brethren will como
back to ns freighted with blessings and sympathy in the timo of need . And this is what Masonry proposes to do . It , seeks to draw men ' s hearts together , and to bind them under the sanction of the most solemn of human obligations tii tho exercise of this beneficence .
Nay , more . It so binds tho hearts of all genuine Masirs that the reputation , the character , tho safety and protectiot , the honour and well-being of a brother and of his family are under the special guardianship of the entire Fr \ - ternity , ever reciprocal from one another .
Nay , more than all : It is a truth I would emphasize with all the powers of my soul , a truth too often forgotten , that as we advance onward and upward in the increasing lio-ht and knowledge of attainment of our sublime Order
we are solemnly bound to a higher fidelity in these indissoluble and over-increasing obligations . So thafc having obtained the exalted position whioh we occupy , a ^ the representatives of the highest branch of ancient Masonrv ,
wo are bound to recognise , also , that we are to be exemplars and exponents of a higher morality , and a nobler , purer manhood . How beautiful is the mystic tie that thus binds men ' s hearts together , the golden chain that unites them
through all the vicissitudes of life , till the broken column attests the work of the destroyer , and the acacia lies green and fresh upon the grave of a loved brother whoso memory is enshrined in our warmest affection .
Thus , brethren , we present you to day a brief outline ot the princip les of our ancient Order . It is no creed , no dogma of faith , no ritual of empty forms . It simply accepts God as the Infinite Father , and his Divine Word
as the revelation of truth and the rule of lifo . Freemasonry is nofc * relig ion . Like the hospice of St . Bernard on the Alps , it stands a sort of half-way house between earth and heaven , and offers protection and shelter to the
weary travellers , struggling up from beneath and perishing in the storm . Ancient , mysterious and impenetrable in its antiquity , it stands in the silent grandeur of its origin , with its base upon the plains of earth , like the Pyramids of Egypt , and its summits pointing to the skies . No
page of history has ever recorded its progress ; no voice of earthly wisdom has ever broken the seal of solemn silence that has overshadowed the beginning of its
years . And thus it shall ever stand , a monument of moral grandeur amid the ages . Ifc has fought no battles , subverted no kingdoms , overthrown no dynasties , taken part in no revolutions , stained no pages of history with the
records of crime and blood , but calmly , silently , nobly , it has held its way , leaving the impress of its footsteps upon every scene in every land whither ifc has gone . —Voice of Masonry .
Templarism Is Masonry.
TEMPLARISM IS MASONRY .
IT is this , or it is nothing . It is Masonry , becanse it was begotten of and born in lawful Masonic wedlock . The first record known or read of , to or by fche historian of
Masonry or Templary , shows that it had its birth in a Chapter ( of what , Royal Arch Masons ) working as did Chapters at that date , 1769 , and for many years thereafter under Lodge Warrants . Later , Encampments , as
Commar . deries were called until 1856 , also worked under Lodge Charters . We have tho best circumstantial evidence to show that St . Andrew ' s Chapter—nofc called , however , a Chapter till fifteen years later—working under a Charter
to St . Andrew ' s Lodge , at Boston , Mass . —received the Templar Order from an Irish Military Lodge , stationed for the time being ( 1769 ) in Boston . This same Lodge , chartered by tho Grand Lodge of Scotland , later , in retiring from America , introduced the Order of the Temnle
into Scotland . Mow , well-informed readei-s know thafc the Royal Archcalled in those days , and still in Pennsylvania , the Holy Roval Arch—was first heard of about 17-1-0 aud conferred
in Ireland iu Lodges . Later aud prior to 1750 , it was adopted as the fourth degree by the Grand Lodge at York , and upon the union of thafc Grand Lodge with the old
Grand Lodge of England in 1813 , the Royal Arch degree , was recognised as a Masonic degree . The Royal Arch degree , as also the Order of the Temple , is recognised as Masonic degrees by the Grand Lodge , of Ireland , aud
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Must Be Lived.
and that " bread cast upon the waters " will como buck to ns in a rich profusion of blessings— " thirty-six and a hundred fold . " The burden of its inspirntion is vocal with the jubilant strain : " Behold how good and how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . As the dew of Hermon and the dews that descend upon tho mountain of Zion ; for there the Lord commanded His blessing , even
life for evermore . Thus it is in organic unity , whore " brethren dwell together , " that the baptismal bussing descends to gladden the desert places of earth .
The question now comes up , How does Masonrv propose to appl y tho principles of her Craft so as to accomplish the results contemplated in her organisations ? Then
aro two things that must enter as necessary factors into tbe system of moral and social development in the character of man .
The first is a proper and available method of instrnction in the grand truths it teaches . Masonry was originally an operative art . In the course of ages it became a speculative science . As an operative art it had innumerable
implements with which to work out its designs . Each implement had its specific use . When it became a speculative science every one of these implements was transformed into a moral instructor , and became an impressive emblem of some distinguished Masonic virtue . Thus the
square and compass taught rectitude and circumspection ; the plumb line and level taught uprightness and equality of condition before God ; tho lambskin apron taught purity of character ; tho ashlar and gavel told of culture and
improvement ; the trowel was a beautiful reminder of brotherly love ; aud everything * around bore tho symbolic impi'ess of some lesson of culture and progress in the divine ait of upright living . And thus , in its Masonic
significance , everything has a meaning * . All signs , ceremonies , ornaments , implements , lights , furniture—all spoke a symbolic language ; all wero vocal with the sublime teachings of a typical morality , ever present , ever
impressing the mind with their significant instructions . Indeed , when a man enters the threshold of Masonry , he enters a grand mystic and symbolic temple , where every pillar and column , every angle and arch , where dome and
canopy , wall , floor with blazing star and mosaic pavemerit , where portal and guardian , ladder aud canopy , altar and incense , are all vocal with the melody of Divine truth , and all watched over by a hallowed Divine Presence .
In every degree , in every measure of advancement ; in every step of progress , the intelligent Mason is perpetually environed with the ever increasing light of accumulating intelligence in things good and true until he goes to take his
place in that living templo not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . And now , brethren , from such a temple as this ; with such influences and surroundings ; with such methods of instruction and moral training , what
kind of worshippers ought we to expect as its representative votaries ? Are the profane and vile the drunkards and gamblers , the swearers and Sabbath-breakers , and swindlers and mockers of God
the slanderers and liars and debauchers of this world—are these to go forth as tho exponents and representatives of the hi gh and noble teachings of such . an Institution ? No , my brethren ! Let our sacred portals be closely tyled
and for ever guarded against the wicked and profane , and the reproach of our dishonoured name be snatched from the dust whither these unworth y representatives have too often consigned it . What , indeed , is Masonry but
a sounding * brass and a hollow ghastly mockery , unless its principles' are lived out , not in the empty delusions of signs and ceremonial and ritual , hut in the sublime realit y of a good and trne life ?
The second condition of moral and social development in a true Masonic life is the establishment of a common bond of unity , a great centre of attraction around which way gather the hi ghest motives and the truest inspirations
of all hearts . It has already been stated that the natural tendency of man ' s true nature is to love and do good to his fellow man , when unperverted by prejudice or mistrust , or unbiassed by the dictates of his own selfishness . Suppose ,
now , that there could be established between Masons an "understanding that each brother of the Order shall become the guardian and . keeper of the other ' s happiness
and well-being , to contribute to his necessities , to relieve his wants in hours of distress , to lift the burden of suffering and sorrow from his life in the days of adversit y , to pour into his heart the wine and oil of a trne brotherl y
Must Be Lived.
kindness ; and suppose this bond of charity ba mutual , how grand and noble ifc would bo in tho sphere of its operations ! Wh . it a precious boon to feel that all the good , all tho kindness wo show to our brethren will como
back to ns freighted with blessings and sympathy in the timo of need . And this is what Masonry proposes to do . It , seeks to draw men ' s hearts together , and to bind them under the sanction of the most solemn of human obligations tii tho exercise of this beneficence .
Nay , more . It so binds tho hearts of all genuine Masirs that the reputation , the character , tho safety and protectiot , the honour and well-being of a brother and of his family are under the special guardianship of the entire Fr \ - ternity , ever reciprocal from one another .
Nay , more than all : It is a truth I would emphasize with all the powers of my soul , a truth too often forgotten , that as we advance onward and upward in the increasing lio-ht and knowledge of attainment of our sublime Order
we are solemnly bound to a higher fidelity in these indissoluble and over-increasing obligations . So thafc having obtained the exalted position whioh we occupy , a ^ the representatives of the highest branch of ancient Masonrv ,
wo are bound to recognise , also , that we are to be exemplars and exponents of a higher morality , and a nobler , purer manhood . How beautiful is the mystic tie that thus binds men ' s hearts together , the golden chain that unites them
through all the vicissitudes of life , till the broken column attests the work of the destroyer , and the acacia lies green and fresh upon the grave of a loved brother whoso memory is enshrined in our warmest affection .
Thus , brethren , we present you to day a brief outline ot the princip les of our ancient Order . It is no creed , no dogma of faith , no ritual of empty forms . It simply accepts God as the Infinite Father , and his Divine Word
as the revelation of truth and the rule of lifo . Freemasonry is nofc * relig ion . Like the hospice of St . Bernard on the Alps , it stands a sort of half-way house between earth and heaven , and offers protection and shelter to the
weary travellers , struggling up from beneath and perishing in the storm . Ancient , mysterious and impenetrable in its antiquity , it stands in the silent grandeur of its origin , with its base upon the plains of earth , like the Pyramids of Egypt , and its summits pointing to the skies . No
page of history has ever recorded its progress ; no voice of earthly wisdom has ever broken the seal of solemn silence that has overshadowed the beginning of its
years . And thus it shall ever stand , a monument of moral grandeur amid the ages . Ifc has fought no battles , subverted no kingdoms , overthrown no dynasties , taken part in no revolutions , stained no pages of history with the
records of crime and blood , but calmly , silently , nobly , it has held its way , leaving the impress of its footsteps upon every scene in every land whither ifc has gone . —Voice of Masonry .
Templarism Is Masonry.
TEMPLARISM IS MASONRY .
IT is this , or it is nothing . It is Masonry , becanse it was begotten of and born in lawful Masonic wedlock . The first record known or read of , to or by fche historian of
Masonry or Templary , shows that it had its birth in a Chapter ( of what , Royal Arch Masons ) working as did Chapters at that date , 1769 , and for many years thereafter under Lodge Warrants . Later , Encampments , as
Commar . deries were called until 1856 , also worked under Lodge Charters . We have tho best circumstantial evidence to show that St . Andrew ' s Chapter—nofc called , however , a Chapter till fifteen years later—working under a Charter
to St . Andrew ' s Lodge , at Boston , Mass . —received the Templar Order from an Irish Military Lodge , stationed for the time being ( 1769 ) in Boston . This same Lodge , chartered by tho Grand Lodge of Scotland , later , in retiring from America , introduced the Order of the Temnle
into Scotland . Mow , well-informed readei-s know thafc the Royal Archcalled in those days , and still in Pennsylvania , the Holy Roval Arch—was first heard of about 17-1-0 aud conferred
in Ireland iu Lodges . Later aud prior to 1750 , it was adopted as the fourth degree by the Grand Lodge at York , and upon the union of thafc Grand Lodge with the old
Grand Lodge of England in 1813 , the Royal Arch degree , was recognised as a Masonic degree . The Royal Arch degree , as also the Order of the Temple , is recognised as Masonic degrees by the Grand Lodge , of Ireland , aud