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An Address Delivered by Right Worshipful George IT . Kenyon , Senior Grand Warden , at the laying of the Corner Stone of the Hail Free Library , in Warren , Rhode Maud , 24 th June 1887 .

IN the name of the noblo and generous cause of education we greet you afc this threshold of its temple . We rejoice with you in the success you have thus tar attained in vour philanthropic enterprise , and tender tn

yon our earnest congratulation . Tlie beautiful edifice you are hero erecting will stand as a lasting monument of your forethought and generosity , and will indeed prove a precious legacy to the community for generations to come .

In no more efficient manner can the welfare and prosperity of a community be advanced and protected than by placing within easy access of all its citizens the various facilities for acquiring knowledge and improving the mind .

True knowledge is the power and the medium through which civilization advances in its steady march of improvement , and its progress is like that of tho sun , so slow that we cnnnot see it , but so sure as to change night into day .

This structure , which is to bo devoted to tho dissemination of useful learning and culture , must yield its good results , and stamp its beneficent influence upon the community . Within the quiet enclosure of its walls can the

inhabitants of tho town como to spend their hours of leisure in comfort ; and profitable enjoyment , while they freely partake of the abundant food for the mind with which this house is to be stored .

By invitation of your committee we have assembled today to lay the corner stone , in conformity with the ancient usage of the Masonic Craft . From the far distant ages of antiquity has this custom come down to us , with its

impressive forms ' and ceremonies , and the Craffc havo been called upon , not only to lay the corner stone of buildings designed for their own use , but of public edifices erected for various purposes . The ceremonies made use of might ,

to tho careless observer , seem trivial and insignificant ; but when considered with a full understanding of their symbolism , they are well laden with significant meaning , and teach important lessons .

The stone represents the foundation or corner stone of human knowledge . Having all its sides of equal length ifc forms a square , and is an emblem of morality . Ifc teaches us thafc we should endeavour , by diligently

observing the precepts of morality and virtue , to so conduct ourselves here thafc we may become square stones in that spiritual building , — " that house not made with hands . " As it is also solid , it forms a cube as well , which

comprehends the whole and symbolises truth . It is wrought from durable and lasting material , and is thus emblematical of eternal life , to which the paths of morality and truth faithfully pursued will eventually lead us all .

When placed in position it is tried by those builderj instruments—the square , level and plumb—to indicate the trials of temptation , of suffering and of adversity through

which all must pass , and be thereby tested , before they can be received as living stones , and admitted to the fellowship of the just and perfect .

Those Masonic elements of consecration—corn , wine and oil—which have been poured upon the stone , are emblems of the highest antiquity and are used as symbols of

nourishment , refreshment and peace . They represent the supports of life and means of refreshment which are so essential to our existence and are among the greatest blessings bestowed upon man .

Upon occasions of this kind , according to the ancient custom of the Craft , the delivery of an eulogy on Masonry has formed a portion of our exercises . In the performance of that duty I shall nofc consider ifc within my province to

portray to you in terms of vain boasting the good that Masonry has accomplished in ages gone by ; nor to predict fche great benefit that society shall derive from it in the future . Its own record will speak for the pasfc more

eloquently and more effectively than can the tongues of men now living . Its future will be moulded by those to whose care its interests and progress shall be entrusted and will

be just what they , by their conduct and example , shall make it . Let us be content to simply notice here somo of the salient points of its principles and its teachings .

To trace its history back into the dim ages of the past in the short time here allotted would be an impossible task . From the earliest formation of society its precepts have

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been taught and it has had existence in some form resembling its present system . Its rude and imperfect beginning has , in the ever-changing advance of civilization , been so modified as to suitably adapt it to the conditions of the times until it has assumed its present form .

Though generally known and designated as a secret order or society , Freemasonry has , iu truth , but littlo of secrecy . A knowledge of its principles is withheld from no one who cares to make himself acquainted with them . They are all

published and set forth , readily accessible to any who may have tho curiosity or inclination to peruse them . With all its varied branches of learning , and its broad foundation ancl principles , its secrets are simply the forms and

cei-e-monies by and through which its doctrines are taught and explained to those who seek through its mysteries to obtain light and instruction in the various departments of human knowledge . In the language of the ritual it is a "

progressive moral science . " It embraces every branch of useful knowledge , and spreads before us a vast field of learning , through which we may roam in whatever direction our fancy leads us . Whatever path we pursue we are sure

to find ifc bountifully filled with valuable information , of which wo may gather just as much as our timo and inclination will permit . All tho liberal arts and sciences are

duly represented , and the way pointed oufc for exhaustive research , thereby affording to each ample scope for progress in that branch which he may prefer to investigate .

Freemasonry is confined to no particular sect ov race , and to no particular country . It exists in every quarter of tho globe , and with its chain of Lodges encircles the whole universe . Extending , as it does , into all countries and

nations where such a multitude of languages is spoken , Masonry must necessarily have a universal language of its own . To supply this want , symbolic designs and emblems of various kinds aro made use of , and convey impressively

to the mind important lessons and truths . This system of symbolism , then , is but fche language of Masonry , and should be clearly understood by all of its disciples . Tho forms and ceremonies of its work performed in any portion

of the globe may , through this language of symbolism , bo thoroughly comprehended by any well-informed Mason , though he know not one word of the tongue spoken by that nation . In every clime the Mason finds some who are

versed in the same learning and acquainted with the same paths of investigation he has been pursuing . Though a stranger in a strange land , he becomes aware thafc those about him have , with him , at least one mutual tie of

fellowship and fraternity . They are co-workers in that direction , and are thus led to understand each , other moro thoroughly . They are taught to aid one another in tho direction of rational enjoyment , and to endeavour to promote the comfort and happiness of their fellow men .

The cultivation of harmony is ono of the essential features of our Institution . It teaches men to avoid conflict

or strife , and to live peaceably and on terms of good fellowship with mankind . In bitter political contests it takes no part and has no sympathy with them . It has by its enemies frequently been charged with a tendency to

revolution and the formation of political organisations subversive of the best interests of the people . It has been feared as a secret society endeavouring to become more and more powerful and to gain an influence which would endanger

the exercise of good government . No accusation could possibly be more false or unjust , or display greater ignorance of its true principles . Such notions are entirely afc variance with all its teachings . It especially charges its

members to be peaceable citizens , to obey the laws of the country , and live in submission to constituted authority . It impresses upon their minds tbe practice of temperance in all things ; that they should obey the dictates of reason

in all their desires and in all their actions . They are taught to be industrious and to employ their time in worthy and creditable pursuits ; in all their dealings to have fairness and justice as their standard .

Masonry seeks no undue power or influence , and solicits no one to join its ranks . Whosoever comes within its borders must do so without persuasion or even invitation ;

and having been received should obey its laws and endeavour to live in accordance with its principles , for ifc is by maintaining those principles that the Order retains its existence . Ifc is nofc the forms or ceremonies or

secrets which give it life and influence , bufc the principles of truth , morality and Christian charity upon which ifc is founded . While its lessons all tend to the inculcation of morality