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gg agggwAWw ^ l yw AW ArWiAw j ^^^^^W^^a tftgwww /^ WiWpwaHMrwJI SATURDAY , 13 TH JUNE 1891 .

Arise And Build.

ARISE AND BUILD .

An Oration by Rev . B . II . Wcller , D . D ., before the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Florida , 22 nd January 1891 .

THIS rapidly closing half of tho nineteenth century is a period of world ' s history in which every true man among ns should rejoice , and thank God that he is called to live and take an active part . It is remarkable in itself

and most remarkably fruitful in its results for the future of mankind . There has boon a wonderful development , advancement and growth , along the lines of every branch of human mastership over nature—material , physical and

intellectual . Savage nations , who , fifty years ago , were debased to the level of brutes , went naked and devoured their prisoners on festal days , have wheeled into the line of civilized life , and are contributing to the commerce and

industry of the world . The Chinese wall of separation has been levelled , and Japan has become a constitutional government and entered the lists as a rival of the great West , in art , science and literature . Universal education has reached far nearer its consummation than ever before .

Steam power has become the tractable slave of man , in every industry ; its application to railways and ocean travel , only dreamed of by the wildest schemers three score years ago , has brought states and nations near to each

other ' s firesides . The telegraph and telephone have almost made to-morrow obsolete , in the quick intelligence of the passing hour . The single discovery of petroleum has revolutionized social life in many branches—of medicine ,

scionce , mechanics , and the gift of lights . Progress , advance , change , is written in running lottera everywhere . There is no shore which commerce does not touch , and no

country which the foot of tho traveller may not safel y tread . And , on toward tho advancing future of tho world , the Poet Laureate of England has spoken out the impulse that rales mankind to-day :

" Not in vain the distance beckons , Forward , forward , let us range j Let the great world spin for ever Down the ringing grovea of change . "

Everything within us , about us , and around us , is on the rapid move . The result of all this on our modern life is an intense individuality , absorbing selfishness , a grasping

hurry , and an all-permeating fermentation everywhere . Nothing within the range of man ' B faculties or activities ia settled . ^ No truth is so sound , no principle so fixed , and no sentiment so sacred , that it is not opened for criticism , review , and even reversion .

It is a grand era in the world ' s history ; everything ia alive , nothing is stagnant . It is grand in its acquirements ; sran A l * possessions 5 but , alas , grand also in its empiricisms , and in its possibilities for the debasement as

well as elevatioD of the human race . We glory in what it is ; we rejoice that we are here to take part in it ; but we have an intense , prophetic dread of what it may be . For , with all its grandeur of power and magnificence , there is

an all-important something wanting—a crying need coming np from every highway and byway and homestead of humanity , to-day . That need is for the strong infusion into human life , in every one of its activities , of the saving and strengthening elements of permanency and solidity .

i-neae seem to be strikingly lacking in governmental rules ; your banks and business and professions need them ; your social and family relations have them not . They have all been honeycombed with the despot spirit of individuality , nnrest and change .

If skilled in Masonic history , you will readily see that our ancient Order has a vital relation to these conditions ot humanit y , and that the controlling life of our times

Arise And Build.

offers it a peculiar and forceful field of onterpnse . For , as tho oldest of existing hum in institutions , with a strongly conservative charactor working within the very marrow of

its bones , with " large discourse looking before and after , ' it clings with one hand firmly to tho past , its principles find established records , and with the othor seizes upon and appropriates new materials .

Discerning tho signs of the times , lot us be ever wise and active ia the vigorous application of tho conservative spirit and powers of our Order into the culture , enterprise and grasping greed of our times . A wise writer has truly said that " the past is , in its

essence , not only the same as the present , but the past is also , in its essence , the siro of the present . " Tho same principles of intercourse which both invigorated and steadied social life in the days of old , is the power which every member of the Craft should exercise in the social , business and political life of to-day .

We have our " landmarks ; " they anchor us to the past , and have saved many from the rushing downward drift of unrestfulness and change . We have our earmarks ; they indentify us , and tell the outside world who and what we

are . Let every Mason rigorously guard this identity in his every relation to commercial , professional , social and homo life—a Jachin and a Boaz for strength and establishment to his fellow man , who is adrift on the changeful

tide . But of the past and its good , and of tho present and its duties , we are to be the living and visible witnesses . So there is another way through which Masonry must impress itself , by public testimony .

Solidity lays a firm corner-stone , and permanency erects thereon its strong pillar , to make their presence and power felt . In a materialistic ago , principle must bo materialized , and ancient truth must speak out to the world from its own granite homestead .

This was the ruling idea which compelled the building of King Solomon ' s Temple at Jerusalem , at great cost of money , and enormous sacrifice of muscle and bone , and even life . Tho temporary shelter in Atad ' s threshing floor , and tho feeble fabric of a curtained Tabernacle , were

sufficient for tho wilderness and the journey from Egypt , when men wero poor and had no settled dwelling place . But Canaan gained , and the people at peace , tho choicest city acquired , must , with toil and struggle , uplift upon its highest point , with marble and granite , and cedar and gold

and precious stones , a material fabric , as a fit witness to the nations of the faith which was within the people , and the high duties which rested upon them . Fixed localization for its workshops , a building orectcd commensurate with its claims for recognition , is tho

evidence men require everywhere for permanency and solidity . Masonry , speaking , teaching , and improving itself through symbolism—its working tools the square ,

the level , the trowel and tho plumb—should not show itself as an ephemeral fancy , but as a fixed faot ; it should not be wanting in such material testimony as stone and brick and timber present , amid the restlessness of modern life .

Let us carry this thought still further . Timo was when this Grand Lodge of Florida represented a very feeble folk . Like an ill-omened bird , it depended for its housing upon another ' s nest , or dwelt in borrowed tents of Gobal and

Ammon . and Amelek . That time is past , as to its necessities , and the world should know that Freemasonry is no man ' s guest , but owns and speaks from her own Temple .

In the State of Florida Masonry 13 strong in numbers , strong too in character and influence , and as such should possess a fixed , solid and permanent homestead . It is a most important need . Let us arise and build it as a witness to the power and virtuous character of our Craft .

But build it where ? That seems to be the question . Well , anywhere ; only build it strong and beautiful , and build it now . It ia not the sito which is of great consequence , but it is of the greatest consequence that yon should possess your own roof-tree , for tho protection and honour of your altar , your ark and your archives .

" Arise aud build , " and may the Great Architect of tho Universe inspire , direct and prosper you in your good work . — -Voice of Masonry .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally atteudod in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTOW , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand . W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations mado .