Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
( Cheers ) . Happily Freemasonry has taught me a different lesson . She has taught me Prudence , it is true , but she has taught me also Brotherly Love , and Gratitude , and Truth . She has taught me that hypocrisy and deceit ought to be unknown amongst Masons ; that sincerity and plain dealing ought to he their principal characteristics ; while the hand and the heart ought to unite in promoting each others welfare , and rejoicing in each others prosperity . This Masonie lesson itself
presses forcibly upon my mind at the present moment , and incites me to that straightforward course of sincerity and plain dealing , which cannot fail to be satisfactory to myself , and , as I most sincerel y hope , will shoiv you the sense which I entertain of the obligation which you have this day conferred upon me . Every Brother , who is the least conversant with the true principles of the Masonic institution , cannot fail to have discovered that the most prominent feature of the Order is tbe moral
and practical tendency of its symbols . I have studied them with attention for many years , and have found a rich series of practical illustrations embodied in every token , type , and word , by which the science is distinguished . And the conclusion to ivhich I have arrived is this -. that they concur in teaching us ouv duty to God , onr neighbour , and ourselves , which is the primary object of Freemasonry ; that they concur in teaching us the important doctrine of a resurrection from the
dead ; and by inciting us to brotherly love , and kindness , and good will toivards each other , they show us how to make that resurrection glorious and happy —( Hear and cheers ) . I can assure you , Brethren , that I have always considered it my duty , whether as the Master of a private Lodge , or in a higher and more responsible capacity , lo inculcate upon
that portion of the fraternity which has been placed under my especial charge , that Freemasonry is not merely a speculative , but a practical institution;—that its duties are not confined to any particular branch , but extend to all those obligations which may be expected from the Brethren , in every circumstance and situation of civil and social life , Avhether as masters or servants , parents or children , magistrates or subjects . I have frequentl y heavd—we all have—Freemasonry censured
for lending a sanction to habits of dissipation and waste of time . But we all know it does no such thing . On the contrary , it recommends industry and sobriety—it recommends temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice—and so far from Freemasonry furnishing an apology for evil habits—so far from Freemasonry lending a sanction to slander and defamation , envy , hatred , and malice—like our holy religion , it instructs us to forgive those who have injured us ; to do good to those who hate
us ; and to pray for those who persecute us —( Hear ) . And are not these lessons creditable to Freemasonry ? Throughout the whole of my Masonic career—and it embraces no short period—I have endeavoured to inculcate them both by precept and example ; by addresses from the oriental chair , and from that of Hiram AbifTj and in a series of publications in which they are essentially embodied . And it is solely on account of Freemasonry being the vehicle of such invaluable lessons of morality ,
that I have ev ? r held it up as the best and greatest of all human institutions —( Cheers ) . And , let me ask , what other society , or scientific institution , wculd take the trouble to inculcate such doctrines and duties upon its members ? I answer , without hesitation , none whatever . Every society has its specific object , Avhich may be extended to the propagation of science and useful knoAvledge ; but it seldom includes any attention to the duties of morality . In Freemasonry , however , vox .. II . T
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
( Cheers ) . Happily Freemasonry has taught me a different lesson . She has taught me Prudence , it is true , but she has taught me also Brotherly Love , and Gratitude , and Truth . She has taught me that hypocrisy and deceit ought to be unknown amongst Masons ; that sincerity and plain dealing ought to he their principal characteristics ; while the hand and the heart ought to unite in promoting each others welfare , and rejoicing in each others prosperity . This Masonie lesson itself
presses forcibly upon my mind at the present moment , and incites me to that straightforward course of sincerity and plain dealing , which cannot fail to be satisfactory to myself , and , as I most sincerel y hope , will shoiv you the sense which I entertain of the obligation which you have this day conferred upon me . Every Brother , who is the least conversant with the true principles of the Masonic institution , cannot fail to have discovered that the most prominent feature of the Order is tbe moral
and practical tendency of its symbols . I have studied them with attention for many years , and have found a rich series of practical illustrations embodied in every token , type , and word , by which the science is distinguished . And the conclusion to ivhich I have arrived is this -. that they concur in teaching us ouv duty to God , onr neighbour , and ourselves , which is the primary object of Freemasonry ; that they concur in teaching us the important doctrine of a resurrection from the
dead ; and by inciting us to brotherly love , and kindness , and good will toivards each other , they show us how to make that resurrection glorious and happy —( Hear and cheers ) . I can assure you , Brethren , that I have always considered it my duty , whether as the Master of a private Lodge , or in a higher and more responsible capacity , lo inculcate upon
that portion of the fraternity which has been placed under my especial charge , that Freemasonry is not merely a speculative , but a practical institution;—that its duties are not confined to any particular branch , but extend to all those obligations which may be expected from the Brethren , in every circumstance and situation of civil and social life , Avhether as masters or servants , parents or children , magistrates or subjects . I have frequentl y heavd—we all have—Freemasonry censured
for lending a sanction to habits of dissipation and waste of time . But we all know it does no such thing . On the contrary , it recommends industry and sobriety—it recommends temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice—and so far from Freemasonry furnishing an apology for evil habits—so far from Freemasonry lending a sanction to slander and defamation , envy , hatred , and malice—like our holy religion , it instructs us to forgive those who have injured us ; to do good to those who hate
us ; and to pray for those who persecute us —( Hear ) . And are not these lessons creditable to Freemasonry ? Throughout the whole of my Masonic career—and it embraces no short period—I have endeavoured to inculcate them both by precept and example ; by addresses from the oriental chair , and from that of Hiram AbifTj and in a series of publications in which they are essentially embodied . And it is solely on account of Freemasonry being the vehicle of such invaluable lessons of morality ,
that I have ev ? r held it up as the best and greatest of all human institutions —( Cheers ) . And , let me ask , what other society , or scientific institution , wculd take the trouble to inculcate such doctrines and duties upon its members ? I answer , without hesitation , none whatever . Every society has its specific object , Avhich may be extended to the propagation of science and useful knoAvledge ; but it seldom includes any attention to the duties of morality . In Freemasonry , however , vox .. II . T