Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
the New AVorld , how beautiful to contemplate it lingering in silent admiration and holy meditation , near its own , its ancient home , the bosom of the memorable Mount Moriah . ( Cheers . ) And yet . Brethren , it is the same there as here ; climate changes not its nature , nor nature its principles . To religion it offers no impediment , nor do political relations erase its vows of brotherly love . The Jew , the Gentile , the Nomadic Arab , and the wild Indian , all and each acknowledge this principle , and bow to its righteous edicts . Such being the irit of our orderso lorious and are its
tensp , g pure dencies , that it nowhere wants a ready asylum , and in all ages has met with the approbation and support of the best of men . ( Continued cheering . ) Brethren , I have only to look around me to assure myself that its adaptation to all classes and every grade of society is one of its happiest features . Independent of this , our symbolic language places the Mason at once in communion with his Brother , and with his Brethren over the whole earth . I believe there is not this day a spot ou which the sun shines , but the display of a Masonic sign would call up Brothers as by magic . ( Immense
applause ., ) Think of this glorious privilege , and say , Brethren can any other association in the universe claim as much . I know you will say none . ( " None , none , " from different parts ofthe room . ) Distress relieved , difficulties mitigated , dangers averted , by the magic of a single sign , without a word of utterance ; aye , and to that sign the heart that would otherwise turn coldly away from our appeals melts into pity , like frost before the touch of living fire . ( Loud and long continued cheering . ) Proofs of this may be met with in every land , and among every people . They are written on the door ofthe humble cottage , on the throne of the king , on the sacred altar , and on the blood-stained battle field . Surely , then , Brethren , the truth must be admitted , that Masonry tends to universal benevolence and philanthropy ; and it is equally true , that the heart of a Mason , alive to the
principles of the institution , wherever he may reside on this vast globe , must vibrate in unison with those heaven-born virtues . ( Cheers . ) For what else could disarm the grim warrior , and lock him in the arms of his foe ? AVhat else could subdue the untamed savage , and call forth the endearing name of Brother ? A thousand facts record the truth of this . Then , let it not be said that the spirit that can arrest the wildest passions and impart the purest love , is of evil origin ; for that spirit is nothing else than a part of the divine essence , issuing from au inexhaustible reservoir
of mercy , soothing with a gentle impress man ' s rugged nature . ( Applause . ) Brethren , were all our race under the control of this immaculate spirit of love , how- bright , and fair , and beautiful would be human life ! Man ' s blood would never again in anger flow . All reproach would be lavished ; and then the ploughshare might indeed be formed from the warrior ' s sword , and the pruning-hook moulded from his spear . ( Great , cheers . ) Surely , then , if all the powers , potentates , and rulers of the world , were gootl and faithful masons , the execrable and desolating ravages of war would never
be known again . But , Brethren , as we cannot bring the world to a conformity with our principles , let us individually diffuse them hy a strict observance of the brightest precept that gilds the page of divine command , " Do unto others as we would they should do unto us . " Then would life be like the green spots on the desert's waste , which cheer on the weary pilgrim through his toilsome journey . That it is our duty to diffuse abroad the principles of brotherly love , we have many bright precedents . Let the good deeds of thosewho have beforebe as beacons to guide us on ;
, gone , and may the departed spirits of our Brethren , who are liow enjoying Masonry iu its perfect development , be constellations to guide us in our path I Let our supplications go up imploring a faithful discharge of outduty ; aud may the star of Masonry , like the beauteous orbs of night , guiding and lighting the lonely mariner in his trackless course , illuminate us through thc dark night of life , and guide us to the haven of eternal rest !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
the New AVorld , how beautiful to contemplate it lingering in silent admiration and holy meditation , near its own , its ancient home , the bosom of the memorable Mount Moriah . ( Cheers . ) And yet . Brethren , it is the same there as here ; climate changes not its nature , nor nature its principles . To religion it offers no impediment , nor do political relations erase its vows of brotherly love . The Jew , the Gentile , the Nomadic Arab , and the wild Indian , all and each acknowledge this principle , and bow to its righteous edicts . Such being the irit of our orderso lorious and are its
tensp , g pure dencies , that it nowhere wants a ready asylum , and in all ages has met with the approbation and support of the best of men . ( Continued cheering . ) Brethren , I have only to look around me to assure myself that its adaptation to all classes and every grade of society is one of its happiest features . Independent of this , our symbolic language places the Mason at once in communion with his Brother , and with his Brethren over the whole earth . I believe there is not this day a spot ou which the sun shines , but the display of a Masonic sign would call up Brothers as by magic . ( Immense
applause ., ) Think of this glorious privilege , and say , Brethren can any other association in the universe claim as much . I know you will say none . ( " None , none , " from different parts ofthe room . ) Distress relieved , difficulties mitigated , dangers averted , by the magic of a single sign , without a word of utterance ; aye , and to that sign the heart that would otherwise turn coldly away from our appeals melts into pity , like frost before the touch of living fire . ( Loud and long continued cheering . ) Proofs of this may be met with in every land , and among every people . They are written on the door ofthe humble cottage , on the throne of the king , on the sacred altar , and on the blood-stained battle field . Surely , then , Brethren , the truth must be admitted , that Masonry tends to universal benevolence and philanthropy ; and it is equally true , that the heart of a Mason , alive to the
principles of the institution , wherever he may reside on this vast globe , must vibrate in unison with those heaven-born virtues . ( Cheers . ) For what else could disarm the grim warrior , and lock him in the arms of his foe ? AVhat else could subdue the untamed savage , and call forth the endearing name of Brother ? A thousand facts record the truth of this . Then , let it not be said that the spirit that can arrest the wildest passions and impart the purest love , is of evil origin ; for that spirit is nothing else than a part of the divine essence , issuing from au inexhaustible reservoir
of mercy , soothing with a gentle impress man ' s rugged nature . ( Applause . ) Brethren , were all our race under the control of this immaculate spirit of love , how- bright , and fair , and beautiful would be human life ! Man ' s blood would never again in anger flow . All reproach would be lavished ; and then the ploughshare might indeed be formed from the warrior ' s sword , and the pruning-hook moulded from his spear . ( Great , cheers . ) Surely , then , if all the powers , potentates , and rulers of the world , were gootl and faithful masons , the execrable and desolating ravages of war would never
be known again . But , Brethren , as we cannot bring the world to a conformity with our principles , let us individually diffuse them hy a strict observance of the brightest precept that gilds the page of divine command , " Do unto others as we would they should do unto us . " Then would life be like the green spots on the desert's waste , which cheer on the weary pilgrim through his toilsome journey . That it is our duty to diffuse abroad the principles of brotherly love , we have many bright precedents . Let the good deeds of thosewho have beforebe as beacons to guide us on ;
, gone , and may the departed spirits of our Brethren , who are liow enjoying Masonry iu its perfect development , be constellations to guide us in our path I Let our supplications go up imploring a faithful discharge of outduty ; aud may the star of Masonry , like the beauteous orbs of night , guiding and lighting the lonely mariner in his trackless course , illuminate us through thc dark night of life , and guide us to the haven of eternal rest !