Masonry Points Ever Upwards.

Atlantic seaboard . In those days we were the extreme west , but now , as we look from these shores of the Occident still far to the westward , we realize the growth of our country and know that far onward around the great

Alaskan arch the star-spangled flag is the symbol of liberty and progress . Now from the mystic Orient there comes to tits the returning wave of the human tides which have swept around the earth . Our peerless State has developed

into all that those who struggled here in tho early clays to save it to our country promised it would become . Yes , and they now say that even their prophetic vision saw not one-half of all that we have since become .

The few people who then were here as the pioneers of American civilization have become a great multitude , ancl with the tide of humanity which has flowed to this

region have come all of the comforts and conveniences of the far east . The rude architecture of those clays has been displaced by beautiful ancl finished workmanship on every side . The dreary distances which separated the

Willamette from the unforgotten homes and friends of the east have been annihilated by the railroad , and the trail

which the pioneer made with so much of toil , bnt so much of courage as well , has served to conduct to us the monarch of the rail—the iron horse . To-day we are in direct connection with the heart of our country , and in some respects

we have greater facilities for rapid travel than any one then could command . And still with rapid strides we move along the pathway of progress . As the States along the Atlantic now dominate all the regions wbich must

reach the nations through them , so we in time will control the trade of all the vast interior whose natural route for foreign commerce lies through our seaports . Our mineral resources are beginning to add largely to

the wealth of tbe State ; our fertile soil is becoming a very garden by the skilled labour of our farmers ; hundreds of thriving towns ancl villages are clotting our State like " the stars which stud the universal dome , " and what wifch

the other resources of the State , and the many enterprises reaching out in all directions , we can surely see the marks of prosperity and promise for the future . Hail to the

pioneers ! for all of this bright present has been won by the toil and self-denial of the hard y men and women who came here in those early days .

In this retrospect we have seen that there has been a splendid growth in all directions , but in nothing has that growth surpassed that which lies inside the pale of Masonry . The feeble band who first secured the

memorable charter from Missouri have grown to be a mi ghty host , ancl with each year the influence and power for good has increased , until to-day there is no portion of the great North-west which does not feel the beneficent influence of

Masonry . Its charities are nofc to be measured by the limits of County or State , but in even the remotest regions to tbe north , ancl the islands to the westward , where our brethren have gone , or from where the cry of distress has

been heard , there , too , has been felt the blessed effects of a true and pure charity . It is not necessary to remind you that our charity is broad and far-reaching , for you , my brethren of Multnomah Lodge , have felt and participated

in this beautiful and blessed act . It is for those who ask of us a raison d ' etre that I have spoken of Masonic charity . One of the first lessons taught to the Masonic candidate is this one of relief to the distressed ancl worthy , ancl that it

is taught m a solemn way which can never be forgotten , is proven by the breadth and sweep of Masonic relief . Faith and Hope and Charity are the blessed trio to the true

Mason , bnt we know that when faith is lost in sight , and hope ends in fruition , then still endureth charity , the noblest bond of union between earth aud heaven .

In dedicating this hall to Masonry we desire to bear our testimony to the faith which has been handed down to us since Masonry began ; that all things which are pure , and all things which are lovely and of good repute should

constitute the chief stones of the Masonic edifice and occupy the chief place in the Mason ' s affections . If there is anything which is low and vile , and of the earth earthy , of these things Masons are tau ght to beware . To lift up the

poor and distressed , and extend the hand of charity to those who are in need of sympathy , to bring gladness to the hearts filled with sorrow , and to lighten the burdens of care and toil , these are the things which Masonry teaches ,

and these are the things which the examples of fche best and wisest always illustrate . We set this Masonic home apart from the busy rush ancl whirl of life , that here we may come for a brief season and rest in the society of kindred

Masonry Points Ever Upwards.

spirits , ancl here shake off the trammels of business and give ourselves to the pursuit of wisdom . By our close connection with all that pertains to humanity , we are enabled to perform something which will be of benefit to those who

are looking to us for aid ancl enlightenment . It is the pride of Masonry thafc is over afc work for humanity , ancl in the hall here set apart the teaching which is to be given to those who como knocking at its door will bo in the line of

that which is most effective for human advancement . Alas ! that the lessons are not always remembered , and that in some cases they are altogether lost ; but we rejoice that in almost every distance men are made better for the instruction which Masonry gives .

Masonry is the friend of all phases of truth , and the Mason who is true to his vows is always an unflinching advocate of that which his conscience and his researches have taught him to be the truth . Masonry therefore

dedicates this hall to Truth . In the whole round of human life the tenets of Masonry have a p lace , and must do their

part in the development and perfection of human character , and when that work falls short of this ideal of excellence , we who are Masons are certainly not using to the full the advantages which are put within the reach of the Craft .

There never was a time in the history of the race when it was more necessary to be true to our highest convictions than the present , for with the march of intellect there havo been many things promulgated which are apt to harm him

who does not look at all sides of what ispresented . I think that the temptations of this age are greater than those of any that have hitherto dawned upon humanity , and for this reason it is necessary to be on guard , lest we be led into error .

But can it be said thafc we have an influence which is reli gions in its nature ? Masonry can know no tenets which are divorced from trne religion . From the youngest Entered Apprentice to the Mason who is crowned with

years ancl honours the members of the Craft feel the influence ancl aeknowlege the necessity of a pure worship of the Creator . Prayer is the alpha and omega of the ritual , and in every great ancl important undertaking in life Masons are taught to invoke the Divine blessing .

When Masonry is divorced from true reli gion it will be a sad clay for all who love the Craft , and should such a time ever come ifc will herald the speedy dissolution of the Order which nothing else can destroy .

Perhaps you will accuse me of propounding a novelty when I say thafc Masonry has dealings with political science ; but Masonry has relations with all sides of human life , and as much of our weal and woe depends upon proper

government , it is one of the privileges of Masonry to instruct men in all their duties , so that they may clo a good part in the organization of governments founded on equal rights . No one doubts that true statesmanship seeks to place

intelligence ancl patriotism in the forefront of good citizenship , and it is an old saying that the best citizen is that one who knows enough about his country ' s institutions to admire them . Ancl this it is which Masonry strives to teach .

Men are to be made familiar with the great cardinal doctrines which underlie good government , that they may be heart y supporters of law and order ; for you will remember that Masonry has no countenance for anything which has

the flavour of treason or riot . It is a principle which every Master is required to inculcate , so that no man can be a good Mason and not at the same timo be a good citizen . Here , then , is the relation which Masonrv sustains

to political science , not to use it to build up the fortunes of any man or set of men , bufc to strive throngh it to make men better for the Service of the State , and more fit for usefulness in every capacity . By making the state secure

ancl by inspiring a love of country , because country is governed by laws of justice and equality ; by discountenancing all that savours of disorder , or that is calculated

to inflame the passions of the mob ; by doing these things Masonry is doing her true work in educating to citizenship .

And here let me say , in the name of Masonry , that any man who calls himself a Mason , whatever his rank or honours may be , who participates in acts of treason or riot is false to his vows . No word can fitly express the

contempt of Masonry for those who for selfish purposes join hands with the subverters and destroyers of justice and right . False , stained with the guilt of treachery and wrong , for such men Masonry can have no shelter , ancl when these things are clearly established the temple gates will close against them for ever .