What Masonry Has Been And Is.

that of sentence for dereliction of duty even in this respect . No other society so widely extended among men obtains additions to its membership so largely from those actively engaged in the commercial and professional pursuits , where they are necessarily under the constant observation of a critical public . Any violation of obligation or disregard of fraternal duty becomes correspondingly conspicuous , and the ignorant and jealous will

turn the finger of scorn upon us , no matter how high the character of the Order may be when measured by its moral , social and business integrity . The Fraternity is represented by its members in the highest departments of civil and social life . There is not a chair of state , judicial bench , university , college or sacred desk which has not been adorned by members of our Ancient and Honourable Fraternity , or found in them their most loyal , and influential defenders .

Masonry has always beeu a leading force in the onward march of mankind toward the attainment of the greatest liberty for which we are individually or collectively fitted , by an acquired capacity for self-government within the demands of law , bhat " we shall neither covet nor do violence to that which is our

neighbour ' s . " A large majority of the signers of that matchless declaration , that all men are created free and equal , and shall be protected in the exercise of liberty of conscience in their devotions to Almighty God ; and every one of the commissioned officers in command of the armies that enforced the recognition of that sacred doctrine , was a member of our noble Fraternity .

Membership can only be acquired through voluntary choice , and is continued according to the will and pleasure of each individual for himself . Notwithstanding these facts there is perhaps no other society in the world which has so small a percentage of its members assuming the relations of the

nonaffiliate . The society has an enviable record for its observance of the Abrahamic expression , " Let there be no strife between me and thee . " An examination of the records of the courts of the world will furnish the evidence that its members seldom resort to the public tribunals for an adjustment of their disagreements .

How far , then , may the future of the Fraternity be predicable upon its past and present relations to the progress of mankind ? Consider this structure in which we meet to-day as one of the evidences of the faith which is implanted in the breast of every Mason within the Grand Jurisdiction of Oregon , that the Order to which he belongs has a mission before it which will be grander in its fulfilment than any which has yet been accomplished .

We have grandly maintained the reputation of our ancient Brethren for the erection of the most enduring temples , the evidence of which may be seen in its widows' and orphans ' homes , asylums for the indigent Masons , and hospitals for the afflicted and the distressed . These abound all over our country , because integrity of financial management has gone hand in hand with the art to construct .

The Fraternity is not only devoted to the justice and nobility of the law upon which it is founded , for it is itself an exemplification of the fruits of the law , in its practice of deeds of beneficence and love boward the Brethren . The beautiful symbolisms of supporting the weak , lifting up the fallen , and whispering words of caution and counsel in the ears of the

erring and uniformed , are ineradicably stamped upon the true Mason ' s heart as ever-present duties , as long as suffering and weakness may afflict our friends and Brethren . But the frailties of human nature may too often become our only plea for suffering a Brother ' s life to run its course of affliction and

distress , wibh no one bo cheer him by uttered words of true friendship , which are sealed by ministering hands of sympathy . Do we not too often feel satisfied with strewing flowers upon the casket of a fallen Brother , aud giving a hurried attendance in the last sad . hour at his interment ? Let us rather offer deeds of

mercy , and bring choicest flowers before his dying hour , for there is within the breast of each of us an element from the Divine , which yearns for such expressions of fraternal affection and loving sympathy to smooth our pathways toward the tomb , before the spirit is summoned into the presence of the Life and Light from which it emanated . Masonry is founded upon the

rock of God as the Author of Life and Light in the beginning , and it adheres with equal faith and trust in Him as the Conservator of time and circumstance that governs all conclusions . During the hours of calm meditation , the noblest ambitions of life are quickened by the thought of becoming partakers in the eternal rewards He has reserved for trusting pilgrims .

The unfolding of mysteries our faith lays hold upon will reveal that which is even beyond the power of man to conceive . Even in this life the utter helplessness and insignificance of man is most forcibly impressed , as we contrast man and his greatest deeds with the works of the Great Architect of the Universe . Go with me a half-hour ' s journey to yonder heights , within your own beautiful city park , and view the magnificent panorama of beauty spread before us . Within the limits of our finite vision

What Masonry Has Been And Is.

are many features of the greatest and most wonderful achievements of man , that in their activities and utilities are music to the ear and a pleasure to the sight . But our admiration is drawn from these as we contrast them with the pictures in nature , that command a deep and inexpressible rapture of soul , in which the realm of man becomes lost in contemplation of the

marvellous works of God . The eye may range from the ocean ' s level up and away over hill and dale to the snow-crowned monuments that have been standing for unnumbered centuries , in testimony that His mercy , like His almighty works , endureth for ever . From this chosen altitude we may look upon the fertile valleys where the Grand Master Artist has pictured in silver threads

the course of mighty streams , that in their unceasing t \ ow bear upon their bosoms the commerce of an enterprising people , coming within the last half of the present century to occupy the land where for thousands of years there were no sounds but the " dashings of the rolling Oregon . " In obedience to a

Supreme and irrevocable law , from henceforth men will come and men will go , and the inspiring sounds of human activity will mingle with those of nature ' s triumphant choir . But our thought becomes absorbed in the mysteries of our own relation to an unseen and unknown future , for which the words of a lamented Brother will most aptly express what we feel :

" Life ' s shores are shifting Bub a truer life draws nigher Every year . Every year . And we are seaward drifting And its morning star climbs higher Every year . Every year . Old places changing , fret us ; Earth's hold on us grows slighter , The living more forget us ; The heavy burdens lighter , There are fewer to regret us , And the dawn immortal brighter , Every year . Every year . " - " Voice of Masonry . "

At a meeting recently held it was unanimously resolved to re-open the Egyptian Lodge of Instruction , No . 27 , at the Duval Eestaurant ( late Salutation Tavern ) , Newgate Street , E . G ., ou Tuesday evenings through the winter at 7 p . m . sharp , and the first meeting was fixed for Tuesday last . As this Lodge is held in

such convenient , central and comfortable quarters , and as such special facilities are given for those Brethren requiring instruction , under the Preceptorship of our esteemed Brother Past Master A . Hill , ifc is earnestly hoped thafc rnauy will support fche Lodge by their attendance . The Secretary is Bro . H . J . Macfarlane P . M . 27 .

Ad00502

GAIETY RESTAURANT , S-V-ELJmm-NJD . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and EESTAUEANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GEILL EOOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in EESTAUEANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5 * 30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the Viennese Band performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7 * 45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till 12 * 30 . - PRIVATE DINIIG EOOMS POR LARaE AND SMALL PASTIES . SPIERS AND POND , Ltd ., Proprietors .