Oration.

ORATION .

Delivered on the occasion of the Consecration of the Lodge of the Go den Fleece , No . 2081 , at the Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR , WORSHIPFUL MASTERS AND BRETHREN ' , — Being called upon , at a somewhat short notice , to deliver the Oration ,

I mnst throw myself upon your kind consideration and fraternal good will , for I feel a certainty of failure in doing justice to my subject I will ( however feebly ) endeavour to touch upon a few heads in connection with the Masonio Order , bnt I cannot help feeling a

sensitiveness with regard to my position , knowing , as I do , that I am addressing mauy members of this new Lodge of the Golden Fleece , as well as visiting brethren , who are so mnch better qualified to teach me than I am to tell them anything new wich regard to our Craffc .

As a minister of God it seems appropriate thafc T should remind you thafc the first principle in Masonry is a belief in the Almighty and calls for a recognition of God in every step . Under the names of the Great Architect of the Universe , the Graud Geometrician , aud the Most High , His blessing is invoked in

each degree and every ceremony . In the centre of the Lodge is situate the sacred symbol . Before the Worshipful Master lie the open pages of the volume of the Sacred Law which is the standard of Masonic truth , the guide of our actions , aud the rule of our faith . Every obligation is sealed upon its holy pages , and each Mason is

taught to square his actions according to the dictates of that inspired book . And the working tools of a Master Mason teach us to bear in mind and act according to the laws of our Divine Creator , that when we shall be summoned from this sublunary abode we may descend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s great architect lives and reigns for evermore .

We have been taught that Masonry is a Universal Temple of which fcrne aud faithful brethren are the lively stones contribnting to its beauty . If the outside world is to be convinced that our Order is of Divine origin we must in our daily intercourse with others cling to those principles which are taught in the Lodge . Here religion and

Masonry must go hand in hand , not be put on and taken off as a garment to suit certain places or people . Onr demeanour shonld be modest and correct , maintaining ( in their fullest splendour ) benevolence and charity . This latter grace ought not to confine itself to liberally subscribing to the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institutions ,

or other chanties connected with such a noble Order , bufc ifc should make men better , and assist them to become brighter members of society , for , really and truly , the purposes of the Institution are the elevation of mankind , founded on the principles in the Divine Law which knit man to man in one common Brotherhood .

If Masonry be merely regarded as Social , ifc calls for serious thought aud calm reflection , bufc we must take a wider range , and understand its legitimate foundation "Truth . " The knowing and doing of which is the great end designed . Truth , Brother Love , and Chai'ity is its three-fold cord ,

for" He is a Mason who can grasp the whole world Of reason , life , and sense , In one close system of benevolence ; Happier as feeling in whate ' er degree , The height of bliss in height of charity . "

You are about to launch your Masonic barque npon an Ocean where yon will find darkness , dreariness , and quicksands iu the way , bufc ifc will bo yours to steer that vessel safely , and seo that it bears aloft those great principles of our Order which have for so many years afforded comfort to tho brethren , that all may see in ifc an ark of

refuge . When God made this beautiful world , He said , "Let there be light , " but it had no fixed resting placo until " Solomon built him a house , " aud then the light of God , even the Divino Shechinah entered and took its place between the Cherubim . Then arose the light of Freemasonry which has been handed down to us in all its

purity , and that light , brethren of this new Lodge , ifc is your duty to hand down nnsullied to future generations . In reference to men who have proved themselves Patrons and Protectors of the Craffc in England , I may mention Julius Coasar and his Generals as bearing these titles . Caurausins held its tenets in

high veneration . S . Alban , the canonized martyr , presided over British Masons as their Grand Master . These investigations may be very interesting , bnt we mnst remember that their example should spur us on to attain those grand sentiments which have given Masonry such a position in the civilised world .

Indeed it is an inspiring reflection that our God-honouring institufcion advocates and upholds a morality of the highest kind , and a never-failing charity in a cold unsympathising world . The Great Architect of the Universe has nofc placed us here to live for ourselves alone , we may make these sublime ideas ours— I

" Heaven doth with us as we with torches do , Not light them for ourselves ; For if our virtues do not go forth of us 'Twere all alike as if we had them not ; Spirits are not finely touched

But to find issues . " May I be permitted to say a few words to the Officers about to take part in this newly-consecrated Lodge of the Golden Fleece . Let them work well and harmoniously with the Worshipful Master ; for if they do not it is impossible for matters to progress

satisfactorily . Punctuality in attendance is most necessary , as late comers prevent and hinder the Master from performing his dnfcies . There is one other point ; to which I must draw your attention . We are not simply banded together to do nothing . We cannot allow

the world to think that we only hold Lodges . We can point to the effects of our union , namely , to onr glorious Masonic Charities . Not only are we doing our duty to ourselves , bnt we are providing for those who ( in the course of nature ) aro nnable to provide for them-

Oration.

selves . We are nofc united simply in standing still , but are united in marching onward in the grand path of benevolence . Of Freemasonry we say it is the handm-iid of religion , inasmuch as it teaches

the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God ; yea , it rests its teaching on the Divine Law , and without thafc sacred basis all our beautiful language would be bufc as " sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal . "

What is there in snch a Society or Order to merit the denunciation of him who occupies tho Vatican that ho should sneer at such a useful Brotherhood , whose only object is tho promotion of " Peace on

earth and goodwill towards mon , " bufc , in faco of all the Popes anathemas , Masonry , like its twin sister Christianity , is lengthening its cords and strengthening its stakes , and the fact that we aro now consecrating another Lodge bears witness to the reality of onr

progress . May the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe rest upon this new Lodge ; aud may you go to your respective duties as Pounders , as Officers , and as Members of fche Lodge of the Golden Fleece , with energy and zeal , and may

The voice of love , who can ignore its accents mild and pure ? Ifc is a balm for every wound , for every grief a cure ; And our Grand Master who presides in majesty above Ne ' er gavo a richer boon to man than sweet fraternal love . To wipe tho tear from sorrow ' s eye , the broken heart to bind ,

Will yield to us fche purest bliss that we on earth can tind . Go to the desolated home , assuage the mourner's grief , And pour into his listening ear the voice of kind relief . More potent than the strongest spell which eloquence can casfc , Is that soft voice of magic power , not least , though mentioned las

It gives a sacred charm to age , a matchless grace to youth , And stands pre-eminent of all , the voice of spotless truth . Dear brethren of the mystic tie , into your ready ears May all these voices find access , dispelling all your fears . And svhen you pass within the vail , life's conflict nobly won , May our Graud Master say to each , Faithful aud True , well done

A Tyler's " Golden Wedding."

A TYLER'S " GOLDEN WEDDING . "

ON Monday evening , 19 th October , upwards of 50 members of the Angel and United Lodges of Freemasons met at the Red Lion Hotel , for the purpose of presenting to the venerable Tyler of the two Lodges—Bro . Simon Munson—a mark of their esteem , on the occasion of the celebration of his " golden wedding . " The proceedings were inaugurated by a supper , admirably served by the host ,

Bro . Hart , and at which Bro . Joseph Grimes , W . M . of the Angel Lodge , No . 51 , presided , Bro . J . T . Bailey W . M . of the United Lodge , No . 697 , occupying the vice-chair . After supper a few toasts were given , the principal one being , of course , the health of Bro . Munson . This was proposed iu felicitous terms by the senior P . M .

present—Bro . A . E . Church P . M . 51 , who recounted the various positions in private service and in a more pnblic capacity which had beeu filled by Bro . Mnnson , and in all of which he had gained the esteem and respect of his employers and those with whom he had been brought ; into contact . Bro . Church further mentioned that the brother thev

were met to honour was born in April 1 S 0 S , and was consequently in his 78 th year , thafc he had attained his majority as a Freemason , having been admitted 21 years ago in Lodgo Star in tho East , No . 050 , Harwich ; that he was at the present time Tyler of the two Craft Lodges in the , town , Janitor of the Chapter , and Tyler of tho

Mark Lodge . Bro . Chnrch said ho folt that no higher tribute could be paid to Bro Mnnson's character as a man and Mason than thafc ho had passed through all the trials and temptations of this mortal life without a stain upon his character . He was glad to find thafc both Bro . Mnnson and his wife were still in the enjoyment of

excellent health , and while he thought he might safely say that it was nofc given to any couple to have a golden wedding more than once in their lifetime—very few even attained to ifc , and the occasion was certainly , as far as he could gather , unique in the experience of a Tyler—still he hoped that Mr . and Mrs . Munson might have many

happy years more of lifo together , and even attain to a " diamond wedding . " In conclusion , Bro . Church , amidst much applause , handed to Bro . Munson a purse containing £ 20 , the result of a subscription limited to a small sum , and to which 106 brethren had cheerfully given , as a small testimony of the respect in which he was

held . Bro . Clowes , P . M . and Sec . 650 , having sung the beautiful and appropriate song " Sweethearts , " Bro . Munson , in a few words , thanked the brethren for their most kind and liberal present . He

had always been treated by them all , whether in or out of Lodge , with the greatest courtesy and consideration , aud as long as he was able he should feel it a privilege and pleasnre to continue to serve the Lodges as he had done in the past .

The annual dinner of the members of the Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction , No . 780 , will be held at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , on Friday next , the 6 th November . Tickets ( 4 s each ) , not to include wine , can be had of Brother John Brill , at the above address .

HOLLOWAY ' S OINTMENT , — Sores , Wounds , Ulcerations and other diseases affecting the skin are capable of speedy amendment by this coolin . tr and healing Ointment , which has called forth tlie loudest , praise from persons who have suffered for years from bad legs , bad breasts piles , abscesses , and chronic ulcers , alter every hope of cure had long parsed away . None but thoso who

havo experienced the soothing effe : t of this ointment can torm an idea ot tho comfort it bestows by restraining inflammation and allaying pain . Wherever Holloway's Ointment has been once used it lias established its own worth , and has again been eagerly sought for as the easiest and safest remedy for all such complaints . Iu neuralgia , rheumatism , and gout the same application , properly used , gives wonderful relief .