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Article A SUGGESTION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONRY POINTS EVER UPWARDS. Page 1 of 3 Article MASONRY POINTS EVER UPWARDS. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Suggestion.
to mark it by some substantial and perpetual monument m the shape of a distinctly special addition to the funds of the Institution whose Festival is to be celebrated in their midst next week ? We know of many who would gladly
subscribe towards such a scheme as we propose , and we earnestly suggest to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . H . Scott , that in the event of his undertaking the
office of Treasurer to such a fund , he would be readily and liberally met by members of the Craft , not only in the Province of Sussex , but throughout the country , who are solicitous for the welfare of the Boys' School . Bro .
Freeman , the Provincial Grand Secretary , would uot begrudge the extra labour imposed upon him by acknowledging
contributionsto the Fund—although we opine that the additional work would be somewhat heavy ; bufc in view of fche lasting credit which would be reflected upon the Province by the embodiment of such a scheme the reward would be amply
sufficient to compensate for any such temporary effort on the part of the Provincial Grand Officers who mighfc assist in carrying it to a successful issue . It is urged that in these days of " universal depression" the brethren cannot be
expected to be constantly diving their hands into their pockets for special purposes ; but it does seem to us that this would be a peculiarly proud result for Sussex to achieve , —to mark the accession of a member of the Royal
Family to the Grand Mastership of the Province , and as a graceful compliment to the Duke who was installed under such brilliant auspices a few days ago . We sincerely hope the matter may be taken up actively in the few days that
remain prior to the Festival , and that we may be enabled to congratulate Bro . Binckes , the indefatigable Secretary of tbe Wood-green Institution , upon a " whip round " amongst the brethren of Sussex and their friends which
will strengthen his hands , and those of the executive generally , in carrying on the admirable work which they have so closely at heart . It may be that an exceptional phase of the subject is that which is shadowed forth in a
letter by Bro . Binckes , published in another column , namely that the political crisis now at hand might have a prejudicial effect in relation to the support likely to be accorded to the Boys' Festival . We sincerely hope such
may not be tbe case , and that Brother Binckes ' s apprehensions may be unfounded . At any rate , such fears may be in a great measure dispelled if the suggestion we have ventured to offer in the above remarks is taken into the serious consideration of the brethren , not only of Sussex but of the Craft generally .
Masonry Points Ever Upwards.
MASONRY POINTS EVER UPWARDS .
An Address delivered by Rev . R . W . Hill , D . D ., at the Dedication of the Neio HaU of Multnomah Lodge No . 1 , at Oregon City , Oregon , 22 nd February , 1886 '
IT is eminently proper at such a time as this , when we have assembled to dedicate a hall to the purposes of Masonry , to speak somewhat of the aims and purposes of
the Order . It has numbered among its adherents so many of the wise and good men of the past , and has at the present time so many of those who are counted worthy of honour , that there must be something in Masonry worthy of regard . Men of the stamp of " the father of his country , " whose natajl day we have chosen for onr ceremonies , wonld never
consent to Masonic fellowship were the Institution not doing good in the world . What then is Masonry in its work and aim ? It may be said that the character of Masonry has been
so often made the theme of oration and argument that ifc would seem as though the time has passed when it were necessary to speak as to its works or its principles . It has been well said that " from its origin to the present hour
Masonry has been a true friend and servant of humanity . Philanthropy has been the guiding star in its firmament , and its whole career has been an effort to more firmly establish virtue and morality as the dominating forces of life . " How could it be otherwise when we strive to
inculcate m the hearts of all a love for God and for fellow-man ? The first of tbe charges laid down in the old constitution says that" A Mason is bound by his tenure to obey the Moral law ; and if he rightly understands the art , he will never be a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine . " The
second charge pointed out the fact that the Mason must be a peaceable subject to the civil powers , wherever he
Masonry Points Ever Upwards.
resides or works , and is never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation , nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates . " Then , too , the sixth charge enjoins the Mason to " act as
becomes a moral and wise man . ' From these charges it will be seen that no man can be a true Mason without being true to his Creator , his family , his neighbour and hia country .
Masonry rests upon three strong pillars : Justice , Brotherhood , and Truth . With these its sure supports it is no wonder that the Institution has been enabled to enlist in its support good and true men in every age , and
to withstand the storms of time , and the efforts of adversaries to overthrow ifc . It matters not what may be the age of Masonry , whether we trace it to those older mysteries which held and concealed the truths of God's nature from
the multitude , or whether we find the origin in the middle ages , when modern civilization was coming to the birth . In any case Masonry has transmitted to us a system which contains much to benefit ; humanity , and confer a blessing
on its votaries . It could not be otherwise than of service fco humanity , when we reflect that its cardinal principles are those which have done most for the advancement of liberty and law . To do good to man , and to seek the uplifting of the race through the exercise of the general arts
and the broad diffusion of truth to those who are worthy
to receive it—this has been its aim and this its work . When the race was struggling upward from barbarism to fche heights of present civilization one of fche chief forces in its advancement was the presence and power of the highest truth . When the people have felt the importance of knowledge , and of noble things , it has been an indication
that the struggle has resulted in a victory for the better
elements of humanity . It is one of tbe evidences of civilization that men turn from the pursuit of selfish ends and give themselves to the contemplation of that which is for the benefit of the race rather than of the individual .
Masonry has exemplified this , and has been a leader in the path of true progress . When the balefires of error were burning most brightly , leading men to darkness aud gloom , Masonry set on high the light of truth , and won men to
the " True Light , " which lighteth to the Temple of God all who receive its blessed influence . It can be said , without fear of successful controversy , that it has been always helpful when men most needed tho strong hand of a mighty
power to hold them safely amid the temptations which would turn them to error and ungodliness . In the critical hours of European history , when the hearts of men failed them for fear , and when with bated breath the wise and
good looked for the overthrow of the institutions on whose existence the welfare of civilization was dependent , then ifc was that Masonry gave comfort and hope to those who else
would have despaired . The doctrines of a pure theology were so intertwined with the dogma of Masonry , that for a time leaders of the church itself found in the shelter of
the Lodge a deposit and safe-keeping of many most precious truths . Ifc is within bounds to say that the spirit of inquiry fostered by Masonry gave added impetus to the keen thirst for knowledge which was a feature of the Middle Age , and
it will perhaps also be admitted by the student of history , that , in the tyled precincts of the Lodge , truths were taught , which uttered elsewhere would have been the signal for the exercise of all the honours of the auto d' fe . Tc auon men as Roger Bacon and his fellow-mystics much
of fche progress of to-day is due , for they opened the paths
which have led us to light , and these were the men who upheld the mysteries in the Middle Age . Masonry in Oregon occupies to-day a commanding position with an ever-widening circle of influence .
Thirtyseven years ago , when this Lodge first received its charter , the members of the Craft resident in Oregon were few indeed . But the handful they gathered here in Oregon City has become the host who to-day bear up the Masonic
institutions . What wondrous changes the surviving brethren of this Lodge have witnessed since thafc first meeting in 1848 ! The dim trail of the pioneer has broadened into the mighty highway of empire , and those of that little band who still are with us have seen Oregon become a
name worthy of place in the roll of States . No longer so remote from the remainder of our nation thafc months of weary travel are required to reach these shores by the sundown seas , as when the pioneers came , but closely linked by the ties of steam and electricity to the east , so that one
may take part in this dedication to-night and in a single week be with his brethren and friends in fche States on the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Suggestion.
to mark it by some substantial and perpetual monument m the shape of a distinctly special addition to the funds of the Institution whose Festival is to be celebrated in their midst next week ? We know of many who would gladly
subscribe towards such a scheme as we propose , and we earnestly suggest to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . H . Scott , that in the event of his undertaking the
office of Treasurer to such a fund , he would be readily and liberally met by members of the Craft , not only in the Province of Sussex , but throughout the country , who are solicitous for the welfare of the Boys' School . Bro .
Freeman , the Provincial Grand Secretary , would uot begrudge the extra labour imposed upon him by acknowledging
contributionsto the Fund—although we opine that the additional work would be somewhat heavy ; bufc in view of fche lasting credit which would be reflected upon the Province by the embodiment of such a scheme the reward would be amply
sufficient to compensate for any such temporary effort on the part of the Provincial Grand Officers who mighfc assist in carrying it to a successful issue . It is urged that in these days of " universal depression" the brethren cannot be
expected to be constantly diving their hands into their pockets for special purposes ; but it does seem to us that this would be a peculiarly proud result for Sussex to achieve , —to mark the accession of a member of the Royal
Family to the Grand Mastership of the Province , and as a graceful compliment to the Duke who was installed under such brilliant auspices a few days ago . We sincerely hope the matter may be taken up actively in the few days that
remain prior to the Festival , and that we may be enabled to congratulate Bro . Binckes , the indefatigable Secretary of tbe Wood-green Institution , upon a " whip round " amongst the brethren of Sussex and their friends which
will strengthen his hands , and those of the executive generally , in carrying on the admirable work which they have so closely at heart . It may be that an exceptional phase of the subject is that which is shadowed forth in a
letter by Bro . Binckes , published in another column , namely that the political crisis now at hand might have a prejudicial effect in relation to the support likely to be accorded to the Boys' Festival . We sincerely hope such
may not be tbe case , and that Brother Binckes ' s apprehensions may be unfounded . At any rate , such fears may be in a great measure dispelled if the suggestion we have ventured to offer in the above remarks is taken into the serious consideration of the brethren , not only of Sussex but of the Craft generally .
Masonry Points Ever Upwards.
MASONRY POINTS EVER UPWARDS .
An Address delivered by Rev . R . W . Hill , D . D ., at the Dedication of the Neio HaU of Multnomah Lodge No . 1 , at Oregon City , Oregon , 22 nd February , 1886 '
IT is eminently proper at such a time as this , when we have assembled to dedicate a hall to the purposes of Masonry , to speak somewhat of the aims and purposes of
the Order . It has numbered among its adherents so many of the wise and good men of the past , and has at the present time so many of those who are counted worthy of honour , that there must be something in Masonry worthy of regard . Men of the stamp of " the father of his country , " whose natajl day we have chosen for onr ceremonies , wonld never
consent to Masonic fellowship were the Institution not doing good in the world . What then is Masonry in its work and aim ? It may be said that the character of Masonry has been
so often made the theme of oration and argument that ifc would seem as though the time has passed when it were necessary to speak as to its works or its principles . It has been well said that " from its origin to the present hour
Masonry has been a true friend and servant of humanity . Philanthropy has been the guiding star in its firmament , and its whole career has been an effort to more firmly establish virtue and morality as the dominating forces of life . " How could it be otherwise when we strive to
inculcate m the hearts of all a love for God and for fellow-man ? The first of tbe charges laid down in the old constitution says that" A Mason is bound by his tenure to obey the Moral law ; and if he rightly understands the art , he will never be a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine . " The
second charge pointed out the fact that the Mason must be a peaceable subject to the civil powers , wherever he
Masonry Points Ever Upwards.
resides or works , and is never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation , nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates . " Then , too , the sixth charge enjoins the Mason to " act as
becomes a moral and wise man . ' From these charges it will be seen that no man can be a true Mason without being true to his Creator , his family , his neighbour and hia country .
Masonry rests upon three strong pillars : Justice , Brotherhood , and Truth . With these its sure supports it is no wonder that the Institution has been enabled to enlist in its support good and true men in every age , and
to withstand the storms of time , and the efforts of adversaries to overthrow ifc . It matters not what may be the age of Masonry , whether we trace it to those older mysteries which held and concealed the truths of God's nature from
the multitude , or whether we find the origin in the middle ages , when modern civilization was coming to the birth . In any case Masonry has transmitted to us a system which contains much to benefit ; humanity , and confer a blessing
on its votaries . It could not be otherwise than of service fco humanity , when we reflect that its cardinal principles are those which have done most for the advancement of liberty and law . To do good to man , and to seek the uplifting of the race through the exercise of the general arts
and the broad diffusion of truth to those who are worthy
to receive it—this has been its aim and this its work . When the race was struggling upward from barbarism to fche heights of present civilization one of fche chief forces in its advancement was the presence and power of the highest truth . When the people have felt the importance of knowledge , and of noble things , it has been an indication
that the struggle has resulted in a victory for the better
elements of humanity . It is one of tbe evidences of civilization that men turn from the pursuit of selfish ends and give themselves to the contemplation of that which is for the benefit of the race rather than of the individual .
Masonry has exemplified this , and has been a leader in the path of true progress . When the balefires of error were burning most brightly , leading men to darkness aud gloom , Masonry set on high the light of truth , and won men to
the " True Light , " which lighteth to the Temple of God all who receive its blessed influence . It can be said , without fear of successful controversy , that it has been always helpful when men most needed tho strong hand of a mighty
power to hold them safely amid the temptations which would turn them to error and ungodliness . In the critical hours of European history , when the hearts of men failed them for fear , and when with bated breath the wise and
good looked for the overthrow of the institutions on whose existence the welfare of civilization was dependent , then ifc was that Masonry gave comfort and hope to those who else
would have despaired . The doctrines of a pure theology were so intertwined with the dogma of Masonry , that for a time leaders of the church itself found in the shelter of
the Lodge a deposit and safe-keeping of many most precious truths . Ifc is within bounds to say that the spirit of inquiry fostered by Masonry gave added impetus to the keen thirst for knowledge which was a feature of the Middle Age , and
it will perhaps also be admitted by the student of history , that , in the tyled precincts of the Lodge , truths were taught , which uttered elsewhere would have been the signal for the exercise of all the honours of the auto d' fe . Tc auon men as Roger Bacon and his fellow-mystics much
of fche progress of to-day is due , for they opened the paths
which have led us to light , and these were the men who upheld the mysteries in the Middle Age . Masonry in Oregon occupies to-day a commanding position with an ever-widening circle of influence .
Thirtyseven years ago , when this Lodge first received its charter , the members of the Craft resident in Oregon were few indeed . But the handful they gathered here in Oregon City has become the host who to-day bear up the Masonic
institutions . What wondrous changes the surviving brethren of this Lodge have witnessed since thafc first meeting in 1848 ! The dim trail of the pioneer has broadened into the mighty highway of empire , and those of that little band who still are with us have seen Oregon become a
name worthy of place in the roll of States . No longer so remote from the remainder of our nation thafc months of weary travel are required to reach these shores by the sundown seas , as when the pioneers came , but closely linked by the ties of steam and electricity to the east , so that one
may take part in this dedication to-night and in a single week be with his brethren and friends in fche States on the