Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
ness , with the request that has been made that I would offer a few words on our ancient , hallowed , and mysterious institution ; ancient , because it is coeval with time , and its perfect development can only be known in eternity ; hallowed , because its doctrines and precepts are such as to ensure Divine approbation ; mysterious , because it is admitted an anomaly in the history of the earth ; for , if we contrast Masonry with the records of tbe worldwe will find that kingdoms and iresprincipalitiesand
, emp , , mighty states , have passed away , ancl are either forgotten or unknown , save from the small space they occupy in the history of the world ; but Masonry , ivithout any other coercing powers than those of morality ancl virtue , has withstood the wreck of empires , ancl resisted the destroyinghand of time . This is a prodigy , but one that clearly proves the Divine origin of our Order ; for the existence ofthe Deity constitutes the very essence of Masonic research . Masonry and reliiontwo amiable
daughg , ters of light , go hand in hand together , nor can they ever be separated but by the violation of every principle of purity , the removal of every propensity to virtue , and the total rupture of every obligation , moral and divine . They bringtheir lovely course through the regions of eternal day ; and the Mason ' s heart , enraptured , pursues them in their course , through the paths of empryean light , and fervently prays where they are he may be also . These are sentiments familiar to well-instructed
every Mason , and inculcated on the mind of the candidate for our mysteries , from his entrance into the Lodge . As Masons , ive consider our Order of vast extent , in length from east to west , in breadth between north ancl south , in depth from the centre of the earth to its surface , ancl high even as the heavens ; and why , it may be asked , do we give it this vast extent ?
To point out the universality of the system , and to teach the Mason that his charity should know no bounds towards his fellow men , save those of prudence . Bro . Grant continued at much length in his admirable exposition of Masonic ethics . But , it may be asked , are there not other more temporal advantages ? Yes , Masonry has ennobled the hearts of monarehs , " staid the ravages of warfare , immensified the soul of the philosopher , extended field for the labour of the
presented a more philanthropist , been the stream down ivhich the rich man mi ght float the barque of his hopeful charity ; has been not only mental wealth to the poor man , but softened the asperities of life , ancl lengthened the dark shadow of adversity with a smile . I fear I have trespassed too long ; but , having for some years occupied the chief place in a Lodge , I must address a few words to my Brethren on the occasion of our meeting to-day . Dear Brethren , will remember how
you graciousl y the permission for our assembling to-day , in the character of Masons , has been accorded by our illustrious Grand Master ; ancl that ever indulgent parent of Masonrv , the Grand Lodge of Ireland . You will go from this place as Masons ' , and in that character as missionaries of universal benevolence ; your watchword ' Charity / and your banner displaying ' Peace . ' Practise openly the duties inculcated in the tyled recess of Lod ancl Masonry will
your ge , prove to you a refuge in the storm , a shadow in the heat , a Horeb in the wilderness , a valley of Aclior , a door of hope . It affords me unqualified satisfaction , after many years spent in the far east , to greet a Brother Mason ( Colonel Cairnes ) , initiated in the same Lodge with myself—a Lodge that has ever proved itself a staunch pillar of Masonry — ' Humility with Fortitude . ' My Brother Cairnes and myself were initiated in the same room , where the Lodge has continued to meet for
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
ness , with the request that has been made that I would offer a few words on our ancient , hallowed , and mysterious institution ; ancient , because it is coeval with time , and its perfect development can only be known in eternity ; hallowed , because its doctrines and precepts are such as to ensure Divine approbation ; mysterious , because it is admitted an anomaly in the history of the earth ; for , if we contrast Masonry with the records of tbe worldwe will find that kingdoms and iresprincipalitiesand
, emp , , mighty states , have passed away , ancl are either forgotten or unknown , save from the small space they occupy in the history of the world ; but Masonry , ivithout any other coercing powers than those of morality ancl virtue , has withstood the wreck of empires , ancl resisted the destroyinghand of time . This is a prodigy , but one that clearly proves the Divine origin of our Order ; for the existence ofthe Deity constitutes the very essence of Masonic research . Masonry and reliiontwo amiable
daughg , ters of light , go hand in hand together , nor can they ever be separated but by the violation of every principle of purity , the removal of every propensity to virtue , and the total rupture of every obligation , moral and divine . They bringtheir lovely course through the regions of eternal day ; and the Mason ' s heart , enraptured , pursues them in their course , through the paths of empryean light , and fervently prays where they are he may be also . These are sentiments familiar to well-instructed
every Mason , and inculcated on the mind of the candidate for our mysteries , from his entrance into the Lodge . As Masons , ive consider our Order of vast extent , in length from east to west , in breadth between north ancl south , in depth from the centre of the earth to its surface , ancl high even as the heavens ; and why , it may be asked , do we give it this vast extent ?
To point out the universality of the system , and to teach the Mason that his charity should know no bounds towards his fellow men , save those of prudence . Bro . Grant continued at much length in his admirable exposition of Masonic ethics . But , it may be asked , are there not other more temporal advantages ? Yes , Masonry has ennobled the hearts of monarehs , " staid the ravages of warfare , immensified the soul of the philosopher , extended field for the labour of the
presented a more philanthropist , been the stream down ivhich the rich man mi ght float the barque of his hopeful charity ; has been not only mental wealth to the poor man , but softened the asperities of life , ancl lengthened the dark shadow of adversity with a smile . I fear I have trespassed too long ; but , having for some years occupied the chief place in a Lodge , I must address a few words to my Brethren on the occasion of our meeting to-day . Dear Brethren , will remember how
you graciousl y the permission for our assembling to-day , in the character of Masons , has been accorded by our illustrious Grand Master ; ancl that ever indulgent parent of Masonrv , the Grand Lodge of Ireland . You will go from this place as Masons ' , and in that character as missionaries of universal benevolence ; your watchword ' Charity / and your banner displaying ' Peace . ' Practise openly the duties inculcated in the tyled recess of Lod ancl Masonry will
your ge , prove to you a refuge in the storm , a shadow in the heat , a Horeb in the wilderness , a valley of Aclior , a door of hope . It affords me unqualified satisfaction , after many years spent in the far east , to greet a Brother Mason ( Colonel Cairnes ) , initiated in the same Lodge with myself—a Lodge that has ever proved itself a staunch pillar of Masonry — ' Humility with Fortitude . ' My Brother Cairnes and myself were initiated in the same room , where the Lodge has continued to meet for