What Freemasonry Is.

WHAT FREEMASONRY IS .

( Continued from page 293 . ) £ T places before its votaries an " ideal character , " one that ia true to God , true to his country , and true to his brother ! It gathers a greafc brotherhood about a man and says , " Go forth a man : in battle we will reinforce

An Oration Delivered at the Dedication ofthe Masonic Temple , at Waterbury , Conn ., by the Rev . Bro . J . W . Hichardzon .

you : be the largest man you can . " And how does Masonry develop that power which tends to lead the brotherhood up toward the ideal man ? Ah , Masonry is practical in its work .

Go with me to the Masonic convocation . I will dare lift the mystic veil for a minute . What do we see ? Nofc a goat ;! bufc one hundred men in the attitude of deep comfort and delight . There are the revered clergymen of

many contending sects sitting close together ; there the capitalist with bank account , and fche arfcizan who toils at tho bench familiarly conversing ; look again , it is not a vision , there are those political opponents who have differed

over tariffs sitting hand in hand . And from him who presides in fche east we hear a magic word , " Brothers . " Am I told that this is a forced unity ? That only the

rigid exclusion of sectarianism and politics give us that boasted concord ? Ah , this is just where Freemasonry is mosfc practical in its working . True Masonry does exclude from the Lodge room that which creates heartburnings

and strife . Bufc Freemasonry goes further . Without

asking any man to yield one iota of his soul convictions , it directly places before him a common platform upon which he and his neighbour may meet and for a while forget their differences . Then thafc common ground is surrounded

with so much that is bright and comforting , thafc each man is led to realize , " how pleasant it is to dwell together in nnity . " What is the result of such teaching ? Those craftsmen are led to dislike those divisions which prevail

in the outside world ; and while they recognise the truth that there must be difference of opinion politically and socially , yet broadened and deepened by that very Lodge

room influence , these men look with greater patience and charity upon others . Nofc only this , but those Masons also seek to reduce to a minimum that which brings discoid in the outside world . Here is where Masonry works

practically for the upliftal of a race . This is the glory of Freemasonry—that it enfolds in its motherly bosom representatives from all sects and every social station of life , and from every trade , and successfully blends them all

together into one purpose and aim ! It is a wonderful fact , that no one enters a Lodge of Freemasons as a capitalist , or day labourer , or professional man ; each one , regardless of his occupation and social standing , enters only as a man ! Inside fche portals they meet on a level . He whose lot calls him to the work-bench , weighs jusfc as

much in the estimation of Masonic law , as he whose income is ten thousand a year ! This is its practical fellowship . This is practical levelling of the false distinctions of life . What a mighty influence is thus brought to bear

on an individual , to lead him to treat the greafc subjects of fche outside world in the same catholic spirit ! To be good and true , are the lessons taught by Freemasonry . While influenced by such teachings a Mason will nofc be

hypocritical and deceitful . Sincerity and candour will distinguish him in all things . His heart and his hand will unite in promoting the welfare of others . He will

seek to apply those sublime lessons , so that the rough ashlar of his human nature may be converted into the perfect ashlar of a true manhood , that scorns those trifles

over which men of an inferior mind fret and fume . Then , too , that magnificent system of moral ethics set forth in the most sacred manner , the relations of Masons in matters of charitable benevolence . We do not publish to the world our acts of love ! But our secret giving and doing are often a cause of censure

against us , when really our motives deserve commendation . Even here Masonic action is on the line of Revealed Truth . We hear the " Master Carpenter" of Nazareth say , « when thon d » est thy alms , let not thy left hand know what thy

right hand doeth , and thy Father which seeth iu secret shall reward thee openly . " Ah , Freemasonry makes no noise and stands on no street corner blowing trumpets to attract attention to its Charities .

What Freemasonry Is.

Freemasonry does its work silently , but ifc is fche work of a deep river that silently pnshes on towards the ocean , and in thafc silence transforming the lowlands into carpets of green tessellated with daisy and clover ; in silence

bearing upon its bosom the commerce of a nation ; in silence turning the machinery of a thousand factories until the hum of lathe and spindle fills the air with psalms of industry and gladness . But the noble old river is silent in its crivmcr ! Great forces that do pood are £ » ene * pall-c silent

in their work . There is no clanking of piston rod and pnffing of steam accompanying the seasons as fchey roll on in fcheir giving to man . Even the sun in great charity

sends his messengers down fco woo the seed np through the soil , and to open the blushing buds , and fill the woods and fields with light and fragrance . And yefc fche sun bestows his bounty silently .

So Freemasonry , in the great power of a united brotherhood , gives silently ; with the force of a deep current , ifc sustains a true systematic benevolence ! But it draws the veil of secrecy that the wants of the unfortunate mav not

be exposed to the sneers of a cynical world , and that the giver may be doubly blest in his silent giving . True benevolence is only found in that charity which is a

blessing fco giver and recipient . Masonic benevolence blesses all concerned . It makes the giver more sympathetic ; it soothes and strengthens the recipient . Instead of publishing to the world a brother ' s misfortunes and irritating his

sensitiveness , Freemasonry secretly prepares him for the next battle . 0 , like an angel of mercy , Freemasonry is skilful in its touch where there is heart hunger and

material want . The world has no right to demand that we reveal the fallen brother placed npon his feefc , or the widow sustained by many strong hearts , or the orphan educated and watched over by true men . Freemasonry , in its work , ever abides by the truth and plans its benevolence in the Father ' s way—silently .

Again we discover that Freemasonry teaches—¦¦ 4 . The rudiments of science and philosophy ! Freemasonry is vastly more than a society whose sole aim is sociability , or co-operative insurance . True , these mutual

benenfc organisations nave answered a deep need , and the Masonic brotherhood bestows honour where honour is due . Bufc Freemasonry handles principles that are connected with the highest natural laws in the universe .

Freemasonry not only deals with the religious and moral parts of a man ' s nature , but ifc also touches fche eyes of his intellect , and bids him think and study , and promises him marvellous

beauties for his reward . The various orders of architecture , the senses of human nature , the literal arts and sciences are so interwoven with the symbols and principles of Masonry that a treasury of

knowledge both useful and entertaining is opened to the man who will study . Masonry well studied will discipline the mind , as well as cultivate its moral and religious traits . Masonry is so connected with science and philosophy , through its rites and symbols , that the minute one begins to studv their meanine and connection , he finds some c-re & fc

principle opening up an avenue of thought that bridges space and places his mind before the " throne of white , " or carries his thoughts out into the universe to look up at the

unwinding of some colossal law of nature . In these avenues of science and philosophy Freemasonry takes the hand of the seeker after Masonic light and says : " Behold

the Majesty and love of God . " And finally , Masonry puts the capstone on the completed walls of its system of teaching by propagating the doctrine of immortality , Symbolical everywhere else , Masonry retains its symbolism here . Masonic initiation and instruction are a drama

of human life . The construction of the temple is only a type of the building up of human character . The cross and crown of the last Degree , and which , also surmounting the temple , is the lasfc symbol reaching skyward , corresponds with the completion of a Master Mason ' s life ; and

that symbol reveals that after all his hopes for a crown lie in the cross with which the crown is inseparabl y connected . True , Freemasonry makes no covenant with God for salvation ; but here its chart indicates how the

true immortality may be attained . Ob , my brothers , have you thought on this great truth which the Craft teaches ? Life , Jong after the sun has burned to ashes iu its socket . Life , long after the stars have quitted their ebon thrones

and passed into the sepulchre of night . Life , long after the old ocean has gurgled out its last groan on the sands . Life , long after the earth has been placed away in its wind-