Old Because Grand.

OLD BECAUSE GRAND .

A Masonic Centennial Address By Brother Charles C . Hutchinson Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts . rPlHE one hundredth anniversary of the establishment in this JL community of an Institution whose tenets uphold public morality and private virtue , and prepare men for the better discharge of every duty and service to God and man , deserves more than a passing notice .

One hundred . years 1 Within that cycle of time generations have been born , filled out the measure of life , and passed away . This country of ours , in its material prosperity , has rivalled all other nations , and we stand to-day the peer of any people in the world . All civilised nations have advanced in modes of thought and living , the result of the cultivation of arts and sciences .

One hundred years ! Think of such a span of life , in any community . It is almost impossible to gather up and consider the momentous events which have marked its progress . It is difficult for us , in this age of comparative ease , surrounded as we are by appliances and conveniences which enhance so much our

comfort and well-being , to conceive of the conditions of this community in respect to its modes of life , thought and varied pursuits , one hundred years ago . Our country , you will remember , had , but a few years before , witnessed the victorious ending of its great struggle for

independence , in which the founders of this Lodge bore an important part . All classes of men were striving to accommodate themselves to the new order of affairs , and lay the foundations of a great nation upon the broad principles of Loyalty , Equality aud Fraternity . Out of the loyalty and patriotism which

characterised the men of that day came the gentler virtues , upon which rest the highest achievements of any people or race . The refinements and graces of advanced civilisation are the peculiar and distinguishing characteristics of a bold and courageous people ; and hence ifc is , as we believe , thafc the founders of this

Lodge desired , by its establishment , to disseminate in this community the great principles which represent the highest and noblest spirit which should enter into the education , development and growth of whatever is required to raise and improve fche condition of mankind .

There are bufc few things which command our respect and inspire our veneration more than antiquity . You will remember that a few days ago the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States , by their representatives , celebrated the

launching of that always victorious ship , the " Constitution , " one hundred years ago . It is true that the gallant craft , stripped and weather-beaten , exhibits nothing of its original power and strength , but around it cluster memories which stir the hearts of all true Americans , and these memories ever will become more

sacred and revered . Antiquity is the seal which attests the title of our Institution . Ancient , mysterious perhaps in its origin , it stands in the silent grandeur of its antiquity . It is sometimes said that Masonry is grand because it is old ; but it is old because it is grand . It glories in age without the least sign of dotage , and is present

today in all the vigour of youth and wisdom of manhood . It can never become an insignificant and vbiceless relic of a remote and forgotten past . The traditions of the Craft are as old almost as history . They provide for us a constant source of pride and glory . The fires kindled upon Masonic altars in the dim and shadowy past have continued to burn with increasing flame , and are made more and more beautiful by age .

When we think of the age of Masonry , of its universality , its symbols and emblems so effectively chosen , the sublimity of its ritual and forms ; when we remember the great minds that have cherished ifcs tenets , and the eloquence which has made them so impressive , and recall all that it appeals to in the past

and hopes for in the future , who can estimate its position and power ? Time has sanctified its principles and virtues . It silently exposes its symbols with all their mystical significance to our view , and it grows stronger and more precious , and its uses become more varied , as time goes on .

It is not therefore an Institution which lives wholly in the past , but a great Brotherhood which has at heart the welfare of the people among whom it exists , and seeks by its teachings to advance civilisation , to promote law and order , and generally to

make the world better for men to live in . Taking pride in what it has done , in what it is , ifc bestows the legacies of human Brotherhood it possesses , bringing a benediction upon all , and reaping its reward in the advancement of human progress .

It has been said that a community is responsible for the character of its Institutions . May we not add that the institutions of a community are important factors in shaping and developing the character of its people ? It seems to me fchat this is proven in some degree by fche condition of our Commouwealfch , whose laws bear to-day the impress of the men and women who came here , landing at Plymouth , to establish institutions which

Old Because Grand.

should have for their controlling sentiment high morality , noble character , christian fortitude and freedom . May we not apply this principle to this immediate locality , and claim that Freemasonry , represented by men of like natures and emotions , has been most useful , and aided beyond expression or measure

in directing and developing the moral and intellectual character of this community ? Sound morality , human enlightenment and Freemasonry are inseparable . Like every other human organisation , Freemasonry has ita faults , its defects , its inefficient methods . It often has to acknowledge that its power to do good is not equal to its will and

desire , that it cannot make every one who knocks at its doors better and wiser . But it rarely happens that it exerts no good influence at all upon its members , and through them upon the people among whom it exists . One thing is certain , ifc never made a good man bad , nor a bad man worse ; nor has it ever induced men to be corrupt , false or treacherous .

My Brothers , as you stand to-day at fche close of one century in the life of this Lodge and look forward into another , you may well gather new courage and inspiration from the past to strengthen you in meeting the demands and problems of the future . You cannot overtake the future , it " will always be a little

in advance of you ; you should , therefore , in order to control it fco some degree , perform the duties which are present and within your reach . Seize upon the opportunities and privileges which are about you , and do not wait for soma convenient occasion , some propitious season , some notable event to immortalise you

and your work . Bemetnber the zeal , constancy and fidelity of Hiram the builder . And be assured that equal fidelity to the trust reposed in you will be an inspiration to others and awaken in fchem a high moral endeavour to illustrate the grace , dignity and supreme truths of our Order .

I bring to you the sincere , heartfelt congratulations of the Grand Lodge on this happy occasion , and rejoice with you in the event which this day celebrates . This Lodge as it stands here to-day is an embodiment and memorial of the spirit which actuated its founders . I would , therefore , urge you to make it the shrine of your Masonic Faith , the sanctuary of your Masonic Hope , the home of your Masonic Love . — " Voice of Masonry , "

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