Where We Find All This.

WHERE WE FIND ALL THIS .

An Oration before the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in California , 15 th October 18 D 0 , by Bro . Jacob Voonanger , Grand Orator .

( Continued from page 181 . ) WHAT is this position , and what aro theso rolations ? These questions , my brethren , are tho theme of Masonic inquiry as they were of tho contemplation of antiquity . Our modern mysteries are , in my humble

opinion , designed to enable us to ponder these questions . I care not for the speculations of those of the Craft whose historic studies seek to encompass the birth , age and antiquity of Masonry . To me , Masonry is a noble philosophy , and an inquiry into the nature aud

signihcance of its mysteries alone has enabled me to come to such a conclusion . I discover design and harmony in our symbolism , from the moment the novitiate is required to place himself in char go of the Stewards to be dnly and truly prepared until , as a Master Mason , he takes his seat

among the bretbreu . But I seo , likewise , that overy feature of the mysteries i 3 in tho naturo of a preliminary truth to prepare tho candidate by degrees for the central trnth , around which Freemasonry revolves as the world around the sun . It is to that central truth that we must

look as the dearest possession of the initiated , so dear , in fact , that all the trials and travails of the candidate appear justifiable ; so dear , in fact , that he who ponders it will perceivo the necessity of preparation aud preliminary instruction . But mark yon , like the contents of the Ark ,

it will appear very simple when once wo have arrived in its presence . There is this analogy between our own mysterious abode and that of tho ancients , that its interior is enhanced by the awe , the feeling of uncertainty , the state of suspense of the candidate . It is well it should be

so ; truth must be bought at some price , lest , being held too cheap , it is cast away like a worthless bauble Clothe it with mystery , attire it in apparently unintelligible forms ,

and ^ it will surely make an indelible impression upon tho novice ; for ho will seek to penetrate the mystery ; ho will sorely endeavour to ponder the secrets that have beon imparted to him .

And how simple are those secrets ! Venturing , like tho priests of old , with dread and trembling into " tho inner chamber , what does he discover when tho light is revealed to his eyes ? Ah , the same simple rnlo of life , so simple to the student , so terribly difficult to tho unlearned .

Simply , in humble adaption of tho grand lessons of Sinai deposited in the ark , that he must hold Deity in reverence , square his actions and keep his passions within duo bounds toward all mankind ! A grand , a holy lesson ! You should know , my brethren , that when wo stand in the clear

light of onr revealed mysteries , it is no longer mystery bnt knowledge that guides us . Then we learn , or should already have learned , that in the inner circle of Masonry , as in the inner circle of the ancient initiated , the probloms of human life must be solved , so far as we can and may ,

with a view of teaching us wisdom , honour and philanthropy . Then we are done with symbols and speak in emblematic language the noble truths that should guide us .

Then we may ascertain to what extent Masonry , by means of its mysterieB and its teachings , can become a power amongst men , sustaining the aged , refining the moral perceptions , developing the reasoning faculty that alone

can bring ns in communion with the Supreme Architect oi the Universe . Then we may observe that the great lights of Masonry are the ohapters of a system of philosophy , designed to enhance the Mason ' s happiness , to solve his

problems , to reooncile him to the inevitable destiny of man and to lead him to immortality . The first chapter , we then learn , is contained in the ethics , laws and maxims of the revealed writings , to be the rule and guide of our faith . Does man need a rule or guide ? Does he require the

moral strength of the Scriptural wisdom as an eloquent reminder of that Deity before whom the Entered Apprentice and the Master alike should bow with reverence ? What think you , my brethren ? Man is so

strong , so wise , so potent for good and evil , does he require such a guide ? The answer to this question is the answer to the mysteries . It is your duty to explain this matter to the . novice , not only in the symbolic language of the ritual

but in every-day , matter-of-fact speech . You , to whom your younger brethren attribute knowledge and experience

Where We Find All This.

whose years of service have given evidence of a well-tried faith , you should make this great underlying principle of Masonry the theme of your conversation , whether you meet with your companions in the temple , or under the dome of heaven . Does man need this guide which Masonry

recommends him ? The most eloquent answer to that question can he given by each creature for himself . Ask the novitiate , when , in his helpless and forlorn condition , he faces the darkness . Ask him , when an unknown hand is leading him he knows not whither . Ask him , when his

imagination , intensified by the darkness , conjures np a thousand weird pictures . Watch the spontaneous answer that rushes from his lips—the word that cornea to him first of all his vocabulary . Who is his guide ? God f This

man has spoken , not of the strength of his conviction , but oat of the great need of his soul . This man ' s spirit has discovered a protection in danger—the Master ' s -will Bpurs him on to proclaim the great refuge of man .

How beautiful , then , is this mysterious symbol , that leads the novice , wandering in darkness , to recognise that his first need , his first trust , is a merciful , a loving , a help , ing God . He is right , because his heart spoke its need , and he is rightly told that his faith is well founded .

Therefore , when the darkness disappears , when his eyes salute the light , he beholds no further mystery ; he merely beholds that which his heart has already conceived . This point , brethren , must always remain the most significant phase of Speculative Masonry . No matter how much

philosophy may be crowded in the upper degrees , the great central thought of Masonry is illustrated in the initiatory degree , when the candidate , by the force of circumstance , and in the stress of his necessity , promptly verifies the experience of mankind , that the fundamental principle of

society is God , and likewise our own experience that Masonry is so far interwoven with religion as to teach us the rational worship of Deity . Amplify this thought , my brethren , whenever opportunity presents itself . In that central trnth lies the germ of our whole system of moral

and Masonic philosophy . God means government , order , harmony ; God means life , death , and immortality . Teach your young brethren that the foundations of civil society lie in God . Teach tbem that order without God is chaos , peace without Him is anarchy . Teach them , and you will

indeed teach them truly , that we , who , without these sacred precincts , are divided into sects , castes and classes , are here on the level even as the humble apprentices in the north-east before the Master , recognising that generous influence that cometh from the East , " as a bridegroom

comoth forth from his chamber , rejoicing even like the war-steed to fly on his course . " We recognise as the fundamental principle of Speculative Masonry the great need of man , God , the All-Father , the Supreme Architect , the all-wise Disposer of life and death . We have felt the

need of this guide . We never saw him , for -we are not privileged to penetrate this mystery of all mysteries . But like the Entered Apprentice at the moment of his need , onr hearts have fonnd Him , and such is the Divine revelation that comes to all men . When we were

tempesttossed ; when the whirlwind passed over us ; when the Btorm-clouds fought in the heavens ; when the sails of our frail ship were torn into shreds ; when we floated like the drift-wood on the sea of life , helpless , powerless , spiritless , then we found the Grand Master of the Heavens and the

Earth . When darkness surrounded us ; when our feet trembled ; when hands , felt not seen , led us on uncertain ways , when we imagined an abyss where we found refuge ; when we knelt on thorns and cried out in our pain—then , my brethren , we fonnd the Architect who inspired the

widow's son to draw his moral designs on the trestle-board of religion and philosophy . Then , like Moses and the workmen of King Solomon , we brooked no priestly supererogation , no sacerdotal ceremonialism ; we pierced the mysteries with our spirit and we saw the Presence

between the wings of angels overshadowing the covenant We , therefore , purified by the teachings of this philosophy , which is the philosophy of life and experience—we can point to Holy Writ as the visible evidence of that strength that guides us to heaven . Therefore onr oatechism is

different from that of the scoffer and tbe materialist ; and onr catechism , I beg you to understand , is not that of the theologian , nor one conceived with dialectic skill , but the

pure conceptions of the initiated Mason , who has become convinced that his guide is the same one who led the feet of the young son of David to the temple erected in his honour .