Australian Freemasonry.

I have no donbt you will show the same readiness of resource and the same adherence to Masonio law in dealing with the problems old and new with which you will now find yourself face to face . From my own happy experience during the last five or six years I can confidently assure you that whatever difficulties you may have to

encounter , and under all circumstances , you will have the loyal support of the members of your Grand Lodge and of your Masonic brethren all over the colonry . Even during yonr short residence here you cannot fail to have noticed the prevalence of Freemasonry throughout Australia . Remarkable indeed from one aspect is the

vigorous growth in th ~ se young and demooratio communities of our nncient and conservative Society in which , whilet keeping aloof from political controversies , the prerogative of its rulers and obedience to lawful authority aro inflexibly maintained . On the other hand no human institution upholds more firmly the rights of the individual .

On the floor of a Freemasons' Lodge prince and peasant stand on the same plane of equality . What other body of men has paid snch homage to the dignity of labour ? Members of a trades' union that has existed from remote antiquity , we still use the tools of theartizan in building up onr system of morality , and we seek to become experts

in work for the benefit of the rnco . Another reason for the growth of Masonry may be found in the simplicity and comprehensiveness cf its belief , whioh can be aooepted by good men of every oreed . In all our Lodges tho volume of tho Sacred Law is laid open before ns as the chart for our journey through this world to the next . We

place the square and compass upon its open page to indicate that we reoognise no conflict between soience and true religion , and that to us the most exact demonstrations of geometry are not more certain than the essentials of our faith . Lastly , Masonry shows in the most practical manner our brotherhood to every member of the Craft , and

through the Craft to all mankind . Ours is not a Society in whioh the help bestowed on its members is apportioned by the tables of the aotuary . The mensure of our benefactions is a brother ' s necessity and our own ability to give him relief . You will not find in this colony Sohools , Orphanages , and other buildings dedioated to

Masonic Charity . I doubt myself if they are desirable in a land in which snch liberal provision is made for education , or if the training of the yonng in any institution , however well conducted , is comparable to that which may be had in a humble virtuous home . But , M . W . G . M ., you will find the prinoiple of relief in active and salutary

operation . A searching inquiry , whioh has recently been made into the working of our Benevolent Fund , has satisfied me that since the establishment of the South Australian Constitution , no genuine oase of need has been brought under our notice without receiving substantial assistance . I have also the pleasure of announcing that this

Communication of Grand Lodgo will not close without marking the commencement of your rule by the most splendid benefaotion for the aid of indigent and decayed Freemasons whioh has yet been made in Australia by any member of the Craft . Before I sit down , let me assure yon that we have found that Masonio union has brought us ,

as Australian Masons , into closer sympathy and communication with each other , and unquestionably it has not divided us from our bn-thren across the seas . It has given a new significance to the language of tbe ancient chargos— ' Thus Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of

conciliating friendship amongst these who most otherwise have remained at a perpotual distance . ' Tho badge of our royal patron waves over Atit-tralian as well as over British and Irish Masonry . The Grand Lodge of England has given to New South Wales a Grand Master universally admired and as universally beloved . The Grand Lodge

of Scotland has done the same for South Australia . We need not go outside these walla for proof of the advantages of Masonio union Without it we could not have tbe two Governors , who are here present , as the leaders of the Craft in their respective colonies , or Sir William Clarke ( the most eminent of nativo born Australian Masons ) as tho leader of a united brotherhood in Victoria . Masonic union

has brought our visitors and ourselves together from all parts of Anstralia with one common object—the good of the Craft . No wonder that many of our brethren in the colonies in which Masonio iudependanoe has not yet been achioved desire to share the benefits wo happily enjoy . Although they have not yet secured the unanimity

which is the vital condition of success , I cannot doubt that the obstacles to their progress ( like those whioh we had to conquer ) will soon bo overcome . With tho Craft united in each of these great southern lands wo may expect a development of Masonry to which what has already been accomplished will be but the vestibule . And

then for ages to come—as long as the Southern Cross sheds its mild radiance in the nightly sky , and points oat to the mariner his path over the trackless deep—our beloved Masonry , shining like a eon . stollation with united splendour , shall fill this hemisphere with benignant l'ght , teaching men 'to do justly , and to love mercy , and to walk humbly with ( their ) God . ' "

Then followed an anthem , after which Lord Kintore replied , in a lengthy , well considered address , as follows : — M . W . GHAND SIRS , E . W . G . WARDENS , AND BRETHREN , —I think I shall only consult the feelings of all if I begin by thanking the M . W . Past Grand Master for the charge he has just delivered

exhibiting as it does snch research , and displaying as it also does such felicity of diction . I desire very respectfully to return yon my sincere and hearty thanks for the kind feeling which prompted my nomination to chair of Grand Lodge , to the brethren who brought the proposal before you , and to you all for the unanimity which

marked my election , as well as for the enthusiasm which has attended my installation . Believe me I am at a total loss to know how best to attempt to assure yon of my gratitude . You have , many of you , heard me protest times without number that my

vocabulary has been exhausted in the effort to acknowledge worthily the constant acts of kindneES which have been done to me daring the half-year I have spent amongst you . The proceedings of this afternoon have immeasurably increased my difficulty . When I look round at the brilliant assemblage of Freemasons , some of whose faces

Australian Freemasonry.

are familiar to me as being faoes I have seen in far distant parts of this colony ; when I see present in suoh numbers our distinguished brethren from the great centres of Masonio life in Australia , all of whom have come to do honour to its senior Grand Lodge , and to him who has from the beginning ruled it with suoh ability and wisdom ,

and incidetentally to offer the right hand of fellowship to his unworthy successor , I confess that words fail me iu whioh to paint to you the feelings whioh fill my breast . Now , brethren , let me state at the outset that I entirely realise that the sole reason why I , a comparative stranger , am now filling the highest office in the power

of Grand Lodge to bestow is owing to the coinoidenoe of my happen , ing to bo at once the representative of the Queen and a Freemason . Treasuring , as I do , the recollection of the long-standing connection my family has had with Freemasonry , yon can understand how grateful I am for the coincidence . I understand that the Masons of

South Australia desire to manifest their loyalty and attachment to the Throno in a manner whioh cannot be mistaken , and so with the cordial approval of their Grand Master they have elected as their Grand Master for the ensuing year her Majesty's Governor . Brethren , loyalty to my Sovereign , respeotful admiration of her

blameless life and noble oharaoter , gratitude for her oonstant adherence to the lines of oondnct marked out for the ruler of a constitutionally governed monarchy , nndying affection for the old country which is her home , and a longing that a few but valued ties whioh , centreing in the Governor , still exist to unite us to her , should

not be loosed , are sentiments whioh I passionately share . How then could I refrain from agreeing to place my poor services and such time as I can find available at your disposal ? And yet , brethren , I do assure you that , glorying though I do in the reason whioh is the cause of my election , proud beyond words though I am at being

perniitted to occupy so high and so dignified an office , still I cannot couquer the feeling of dismay whioh overmasters me when I think of the sacrifice that was necessary in order to render vacant the throne of Grand Lodge . No need for me to remind you of the late Grand Master ' s services to this Grand Lodge and to Freemasonry .

His praises are in every moutb , they are sung m every land . We are thankful that his work has been appreciated and acknowledged by Masons the world over . In laying down his office his is the pleasure of being able to reflect that he has earned the reaped , the admiration , and the affection of all those very people whose loving

regard he most desired to possess . Brethren , had it followed that by accepting the Grand Mastership I should have deprived Grand Lodge altogether of Bro . Chief Justice Way's services , no consideration would have been weighty enough to induce me to accept it . However , I rejoice to inform you that in a spirit of devotion to his

Grand Lodge , and with the intention of adding yet another good deed to the many for whioh I am his debtor , M . W . Brother his Honour Chief Justice Way has consented to take the office of Pro Grand Master . Thus happily Grand Lodge will still have the full benefit of his advice and experience , and I of his muoh-valued help .

Greatly shall I need it ; often I shall have to appeal for your kind indulgence , for it is no light thing I have undertaken . I have undertaken the Mastership of a Grand Lodge renowned for its devotion to Masonio principles , celebrated for the finish and accuracy of its working , and which , though bnt five years

old possesses the allegiance of 37 Lodges , with more quickly to follow , and which , without waiting for a larger membership , has made a good start in tho inauguration of a soheme of Masonic Charity . But , more than that , the Grand Master has to see to it that he ever faithfully endeavours to adapt the words and actions of daily life to

the high standard which Freemasonry and this Grand Lodge inoulcates . For , brothren , it would be a bad day for Masonry if it came generally to he supposed that itconsisted of a collection of mysterious signs or phrases without corresponding action . Undoubtedly we possess secrets which we may not divulge . So do other crafts . The

merchant has his private mark , the professional man his sacred con . fidencos . The priest is under most solemn vows to reveal naught of what reaches him in the confessional . But , brethren , whatever our secrets aro our principles and objects we proclaim from the housetops . They are principles which we are neither ashamed nor afraid

to acknowledge , thus at once fixing a great gulf between ourselves and those secret sooieties whioh adopt principles and exist for objects whioh they dare not avow . We are the ohampions of freedom and truth . I remember how Fox Manle , Lord Dalhousie , one of the most eminent Grand Masters the Grand Lodge of Scotland has

ever heard , used to point out that in the dark days when civil liberty and religious truth were both endangered by tyranny and superstition , the Lodges of Masonry were the receptaole and protection of both . Tyrants , said he , have ever dreaded Masonry , because Masons are the ohampions of freedom . Superstition has denounced

it because Masonry is the friend and protector of the truth . Brethren , we believe in God as the Great Architect of the Universe , and we worship Him . We do nob believe , as has been well said , that the clay is the potter , that the matter is the Maker , or that the atom is tbe Architect of the Universe . We acknowledge with gratitude

the goodness of the bountiful giver of our corn and wine and oil . We commence our undertakings hoping for and asking for the Divine blessing . The Holy Bible is placed in our Lodge as a guido to our faith and practice . No dark conspiracies are fouud among ns . We fear God , honour the Queen , and as children of the Great Father

of oil we teach the go 3 pelof brotherly love , relief and truth , of loyalty and charity , of virtue and honour . We would stretch a helping hand to him that is iu necessity ; we inculcate universal benevolenoe without distinction of class or colour , or country or creed ; we look for integrity and charity in every aotion between man aud man : we

enjoin subjection to civil authority and loyalty to our rightful Sovereign . We would obey God ' s will so far as we know it , we would carry ourselves while we live as good men honest and true ,

and in dying we would cast ourselves hnmbly and hopefully into the depths of infinite love . Brethren , such are our principles and objects . I rejoice to think that many and many a time has Masonry given tangible proofs of unselfish generosity , of nobleness of purpose ,