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Article MASONIC SERVICE AT ORTON-LONGUEVILLE CHURCH, NEAR PETERBOROUGH. ← Page 2 of 2 Article AN ORATION. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Service At Orton-Longueville Church, Near Peterborough.
be inflicted on those around ; and if the individual himself confessed the truth , his state might be expressed in the language of Milton ' s archangel" Hell is where ' er I am , myself a hell . " Oh 1 let us earnestly contend against such diabolical sentiments and feelings , and endeavour , on the contrary , to exceed one another in the emulation of exhibiting the same mind that was in Christ . Thus , we shall be obeying the apostolic precept— " In
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" —a precept containing more true politeness , and far more productive of real happiness , than all the writings of accomplished worldlings , because practically it is productive of no small degree of true happiness in ourselves , and those with whom we arc associated . Let us , dear brothers , ask ourselves , individually and collectively , have I this spirit of Christianity , this spirit of true
Freemasonry , this spirit of true humility manifested in the spirit of sincere fellow-feelinghood ? Is it the ruling motive of our cardiac attachments ? The proof to others , and the evidence to ourselves , that vve are true members of the vast family of mankind ; believers in what He taught who is " God of the substance of the Father , begotten before the worlds ; and man of the substance of his mother , born in the world ; perfect God and perfect man ,
of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting . " Has the natural malevolence of our hearts been destroyed by a hig her power than that which is innate ? Has the spirit of our Master been engrafted into our very selves ? If we have it not , we cannot class ourselves amongst the faithful family of the Most High ! Oh ! -may we , day by day , go to the source of all benevolence , and rest not till the " love of God " is shed abroad in our hearts
by the power of the Holy Spirit . Go , in the language of our . Church , and say— " O God , Who hast prepared for them that love Thee , such good things as pass man ' s understanding , pour into our hearts such love towards Thee , that we , loving Thee above all things , may obtain Thy promises , which exceed all that we can desire , through Jesus Christ our Lord . " Finally , from whence comes this fraternity ? This dispensing of love and
mercy ? The prophet answers— " Have we not all one Father , hath not our God created us ? " ( Malachiii ., 10 . ) That Creator is He to whom we bow the knee , saying as we do so , " Our P ' ather which art in heaven . " And why do we say "Our P ' ather ? " Because He is a father not to us only , but to others . St . Paul speaks in Titus ( iii ., 4 ) of the philanthrophy ( original ) of God— " He has shown a father ' s heart to humanity in the Cross of His dear
Son . " If we would be " followers of Him " ( Eph . v ., 1 ) , we must have the same mind in us . Philanthropy and fraternity are one . To say " Our Father" is to acknowledge all men as brethren . Out of such acknowledgment real Charity comes— " Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . " Out of love comes sympathy . " Rejoice with them that rejoice , " says St . Paul , " and weep vvith them that weep . " Our neighbour ' s interest becomes ours ; his joys ours ; his sorrows ours ; he is our brother . If he has wronged or
owes us anything we deal gently with him ; he is our brother . We love our enemies ; we do good to them that hate us ; we pray for them that despitefully use and persecute us ; they are our brethren . We feed the hungry ; we clothe the naked ; we search out the poor and destitute ; they are our brethren . We look for the same services of mercy when we stand in need ; we are their brethren . Thus would the whole family , hearkening to the gospel of the Great Father ' s love , be bound together b y the same blessed tie . This is the true keynote of our Brotherhood and tne Church on earth .
Almighty Sire ! our Heavenly King , Before whose sacred name vve bend , Accept the praises vvhich vve sing , And to our humble prayer attend . Allhail , Great Architect Divine , This universal frame is Thine .
Grant us , great God ! Th y powerful aid , To guide us through this vale of tears ; For when Th y goodness is displayed , Peace soothes the mind , and pleasure cheers . All hail , Great Architect Divine ! This universal frame is Thine . Inspire us vvith Thy grace Divine ,
' 1 hy Sacred Law our guide shall he ; To every good our hearts incline , From every evil keep us free . All hail ! Great Architect Divine ! This universal frame is Thine . Amen . So mote it be .
After the sermon the Old Hundredth hymn was sung , during which thc offertory , which amounted to ^ 16 3 s ., vvas taken . Thc Rector before commencing his sermon announced that the collection would be given to sonic specific object in connection with the restoration of thc church ( which hc ha ; been most indefatigable in carrying out during the past two years ) , to b ( decided hereafter by a Committee of the brethren of St . Peter ' s Lodge , No 442 .
After service , the Marchioness Dowager of Huntly kindly threw open Ihe lovely gardens ol Orion Hall , and the brethren and their friends were conducted through the grounds by the head gardener , Mr . Harding . The company then adjourned to the rectory lawn , where they were most
hospitably entertained by the Rector and Mrs . Royston , and returned to Peterborough about 8 . 30 p . m ., having thoroughly enjoyed the service , and much appreciated the kindness of Lady Huntly , and thc hearty and fraternal welcome accorded to one and all by thc much respeclcdand popular Rector and his good wife .
The following is a list of the brethren who attended : Bros . A . M . l'entney , W . M . ; R . Payling , P . P . S . G . D ., I . P . M . ; J . E . Custance , S . W . ; Rev . P . Royston , M . A ., P . G . C , Chap . ; T . W . Harrison , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; VV . Dixey , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec ; G . C . Caster , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., D . C ; IL C Clarabut , P . P . G . Org ., S . D . ; I . Whitsed , J . D . ; W . Varnon , Org . ; C . Wigfall , I . G . ; R . VV . Elsey and G . J . Gray , Stewards ; H . Plowman , P . G . T ., Tyler ; F . G . Buckle , P . M ., P . G . Sec ; J . B . Vergette , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ;
E . Vergette , jun ., P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; J . Wheeler , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . T . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; E . Waller , M . D ., P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J . W . Kirby , P . M . ; J . Hardy , P . M . 1386 ; J . Whear , P . M . 996 ; E . Adams , S . Bamber , Dr . J . G . Barford , W . Brown , S . Boyer , F . Caster , J . Clifton , J . Cocks , T . Cook , P . P . G . T . ; C . E . Crawley , J . W . Cutlack , G . R . Dickens , W . Goodyer , jun ., T . H . Griffin , J . M . Kennedy , M . D ., J . H . Kirk , R . H . Knighton , W . B . Livett , J . H . Pearson , W . H . Pentney , P . G . Steward ; D . H . Redhead , W . S . Saunders , W .
Seabrook , J . Simpson , G . H . Smalley , W . II . Snow , S . Stanley , G . H . Stewart , C Tebbs , J . B . Tebbutt , J . T . Tourt , G . H . Wartnabv , and J . J . Wheeler . Visitors Bros . T . Beesley , J . H . Beeby ( Mayor of Peterborough ) , Rev . G . G . W . Clemenger , H . C . Dunn , J . Maurice Franks , P . M . 37 6 , P . P . J . G . D . Suffolk ; Sergeant-Major Fuller , 570 ( I . C ); H . H . Garton , S . D . 362 ; J . R . Griffin , J . Mackinder , F . Pinney , S . W ., W . M . elect , and J . C . Royce , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., of 4 GG ; T . T . Groves , W . H . Pike , P . M . 1639 , P . G . P . Bucks ; and A . P . Turner , 107 .
An Oration.
AN ORATION .
Ihe following oration was delivered by Comp . C . L . Mason , P . P . G . H . at the consecration of the Prudence Chapter , No . 20 G 9 , held on Saturday ' the 25 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds * . — It was not my intention to take any prominent part in the proceedings of to-day but to be a silent observer . However , a few days ago I received the commands of the Grand Superintendent of West Yorkshire to prepare an address , as I should be called upon to deliver one . When the command came I could not as a loya ]
member of the Order disobey , and hence I must ask your kind indulgence for a few minutes . It vvas a memorable day for many when on the Sth November , 1884 Lodge Prudence vvas consecrated by the then Deputy Provincial Grand Master ' Bro . Tew , now the esteemed Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire ( whose absence vve all so much regret to-day ) , surrounded by a brilliant gathering of the Craft , and the installation of the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Leeds , Bro . Edwin Woodhouse , P . M ., as its first Master . The establishment of Lodge Prudencp
may be said to have been a venture , because it was the establishment of a lodge on special lines—lines not previously adopted in this important northern province . I am glad that the feeling then aroused has happily subsided , and the prophecy that the lodge would not exist on those special lines three years has proved in . correct , for the lodge has novv reached its eighth year of existence , and has proved itself to be a loyal , active , and flourishing lodge , and we are met to-day to extend as it where its borders , by the establishment of a chapter on its own peculiar lines
The inception of Lodge Prudence belonged to our worthy Past Master , Bro . Tudor Trevor . He has his reward in the success that has attended his labours , as well as the good-will and esteem of his brethren and companions . We are assembled to-day to dedicate a new chapter of Royal Arch Masonry . I need not stop to enquire vvhat a chapter of Royal Arch Masonry is , nor dilate upon it historicall y but I would rather dwell on that higher , nobler theme vvhat it teaches . What are vve told ? It is founded on the name of Jehovah . It has virtue for its aim , the glory of
God its object and the eternal welfare of man is considered in every part , point or letter of its ineffable mysteries . It is the " summum bonum or grand whole . " Grand whole of vvhat ? One whole Masonic structure . The Royal Arch is , and must be , the very climax of the Order , for it deals vvith a theme vvhich is above every other theme , and which no other can approach much less surpass ; for however graceful , however useful , other Degrees may be as incentives to imagination the Royal Arch can have no equal . Masonry would be incomplete unless it led us by gradual steps to the contemplation of the Great Jehovah , the
incomprehensible Alpha and Omega , " who was , and is , and is to come , the actual future and eternal , and all sufficient God , who alone has His being in and ol Himself , and gives to all others their being , so that He is vvhat He was and was what He is , and shall be both what He was and vvhat He is fo all eternity , all creation dependant on his mighty vvill . " The more I reflect on , what to us , are the vital principles inculcated in the solemn ceremonial of this Sublime Degree , the more anxious am I that we should approach it with the reverence it claims and to
enforce on all the members of the Order the absolute necessity of regarding it vvith the same amount of veneration . It is very easy and very pleasant to look back and draw the parallel as Freemasonry does between our actual every day life and a true Masonic career . From our dependence on . others ( as inculcated in the First Degree ) for the very preservation of life itself in the days of our childhood , we have drawn the moral that it is our duty to learn and practice an abiding lesson of mutual dependence and equality . Passing
onward in life we reached that period when opportunity was given us to practice these principles ; the dignity of labour and ils usefulness vvere as clearl y shown at its necessity . We were taught that to rightly employ the hours given to us and to consider them as precious talents to be used not only for our own benefit , or for those dependant on us , but for the good of our fellow creatures , and to the glory of our Creator , is the most grateful sacrifice and return we can offer up for all the benefits conferred upon us , when we ourselves most needed assistance . To
the man vvho has cultivated his intellectual powers to the glory of God and the welfare of his fellow creatures , who has modelled his life by the sacred dictates of morality and religion , the warm noon tide of life glides easily and swiftly into the calm afternoon and the gathering shades of evening , until the ni ght comes , when without doubt or fear he lays down his mortal part in the grave as in a bed , his last look not turned back with vain regret to the scenes of his earthly life , but upward with resignation to that " bright morning star , whose rising proclaimed peace and
salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . " Masonry in this Degree points with no faltering finger to that future beyond the grave , when vve shall be in the presence of Him who is the great I AM , " the eternal ruler of the universe , the elemental life , primeval source of all its principles , the very spring and fount of all its virtues . " As we pass from the contemplation of the things of this world to those of the world to come , to the study of the attributes of that Supreme Being who is a !) perfect , vve pause with awe in the presence of that dread
name around which all the mysteries of this Supreme Degree centre . I entreat you , therefore , brethren and companions , to ponder deeply its meaning and mystery , and never to approach it yourselves , or suffer others so to do , with indifference or irreverence . Remember unless you adopt its solemn teaching the circle of your Masonic duties is incomplete , and all your previous professions and practice valueless . Thus the Royal Arch stands as a beacon , a pillar to guide us through the wilderness of tempation , doubt and difficulty by vvhich we are surrounded in our
earthly pilgrimage , until having passed through the dark portals which divide life from death , we enter those happy regions , where the true secrets of Masonry shall be disclosed to the faithful and obedient of the human race . To gain this great end we must during our earthly existence perform , "while it is yet day , " the task allotted to us with untiring zeal and unswerving faith . As trusty workmen and faithful companions we must employ our working tools ; with the pick-axe vv . e must clear away the rubbish and ruins of a fallen nature , with the trowel we must
build up a fairer shrine for the reception of truth and virtue , with the sword by our side we must fight for the weak against the strong , lor the good against thc evil , for the true against the false , and with the . shovel wc must bury the rubbish of the old Adam , so that our spirits may be purified to arise , " when summoned by our tremendous but merciful Judge to life eternal , immortal , and everlasting happiness . " We shall not understand this Degree rightl y if we do not recognise the bond of union it creates between our earthly duties and our heavenly prospects .
No rigid adherence to the rules of morality ; no mere conscientious discharge our duties to ourselves , our families , or our neighbours will ever raise ns , unless vve are actuated and sanctified by a thorough belief in the True and Ever-living God Most High . The constant and strict performance of our duties here is recognised most clearly , and enforced most emphatically throughout the whole 01
this beautitul Degree . Acting on the teaching ot our isubhme Order , let » " be said that you have laboured in vain and wasted your strength for nought , for your work is before the Lord and your recompense with your God . Finally * brethren and companions , "be all of one mind , live in peace , and may the God 0 love and mercy delight to dwell amongst us , " prosper our handiwork of this day in the establishment of this chapter , preserve us from all discord , and " bless ui evermore . "
KEYSTONE . —Architecturally the name for those stones which form the sweep an arch , particularly the last or middle stone placed on the top of the arc : li vault , lt has been said , erroneously , that the arch was not known in j * Solomon's time ; but that theory has long since been proved to be untenable 1 the discoveries and remarks of travellers , and specially by the recent rescearc in subterranean Jerusalem by Bro . Leiut . Warren .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Service At Orton-Longueville Church, Near Peterborough.
be inflicted on those around ; and if the individual himself confessed the truth , his state might be expressed in the language of Milton ' s archangel" Hell is where ' er I am , myself a hell . " Oh 1 let us earnestly contend against such diabolical sentiments and feelings , and endeavour , on the contrary , to exceed one another in the emulation of exhibiting the same mind that was in Christ . Thus , we shall be obeying the apostolic precept— " In
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" —a precept containing more true politeness , and far more productive of real happiness , than all the writings of accomplished worldlings , because practically it is productive of no small degree of true happiness in ourselves , and those with whom we arc associated . Let us , dear brothers , ask ourselves , individually and collectively , have I this spirit of Christianity , this spirit of true
Freemasonry , this spirit of true humility manifested in the spirit of sincere fellow-feelinghood ? Is it the ruling motive of our cardiac attachments ? The proof to others , and the evidence to ourselves , that vve are true members of the vast family of mankind ; believers in what He taught who is " God of the substance of the Father , begotten before the worlds ; and man of the substance of his mother , born in the world ; perfect God and perfect man ,
of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting . " Has the natural malevolence of our hearts been destroyed by a hig her power than that which is innate ? Has the spirit of our Master been engrafted into our very selves ? If we have it not , we cannot class ourselves amongst the faithful family of the Most High ! Oh ! -may we , day by day , go to the source of all benevolence , and rest not till the " love of God " is shed abroad in our hearts
by the power of the Holy Spirit . Go , in the language of our . Church , and say— " O God , Who hast prepared for them that love Thee , such good things as pass man ' s understanding , pour into our hearts such love towards Thee , that we , loving Thee above all things , may obtain Thy promises , which exceed all that we can desire , through Jesus Christ our Lord . " Finally , from whence comes this fraternity ? This dispensing of love and
mercy ? The prophet answers— " Have we not all one Father , hath not our God created us ? " ( Malachiii ., 10 . ) That Creator is He to whom we bow the knee , saying as we do so , " Our P ' ather which art in heaven . " And why do we say "Our P ' ather ? " Because He is a father not to us only , but to others . St . Paul speaks in Titus ( iii ., 4 ) of the philanthrophy ( original ) of God— " He has shown a father ' s heart to humanity in the Cross of His dear
Son . " If we would be " followers of Him " ( Eph . v ., 1 ) , we must have the same mind in us . Philanthropy and fraternity are one . To say " Our Father" is to acknowledge all men as brethren . Out of such acknowledgment real Charity comes— " Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . " Out of love comes sympathy . " Rejoice with them that rejoice , " says St . Paul , " and weep vvith them that weep . " Our neighbour ' s interest becomes ours ; his joys ours ; his sorrows ours ; he is our brother . If he has wronged or
owes us anything we deal gently with him ; he is our brother . We love our enemies ; we do good to them that hate us ; we pray for them that despitefully use and persecute us ; they are our brethren . We feed the hungry ; we clothe the naked ; we search out the poor and destitute ; they are our brethren . We look for the same services of mercy when we stand in need ; we are their brethren . Thus would the whole family , hearkening to the gospel of the Great Father ' s love , be bound together b y the same blessed tie . This is the true keynote of our Brotherhood and tne Church on earth .
Almighty Sire ! our Heavenly King , Before whose sacred name vve bend , Accept the praises vvhich vve sing , And to our humble prayer attend . Allhail , Great Architect Divine , This universal frame is Thine .
Grant us , great God ! Th y powerful aid , To guide us through this vale of tears ; For when Th y goodness is displayed , Peace soothes the mind , and pleasure cheers . All hail , Great Architect Divine ! This universal frame is Thine . Inspire us vvith Thy grace Divine ,
' 1 hy Sacred Law our guide shall he ; To every good our hearts incline , From every evil keep us free . All hail ! Great Architect Divine ! This universal frame is Thine . Amen . So mote it be .
After the sermon the Old Hundredth hymn was sung , during which thc offertory , which amounted to ^ 16 3 s ., vvas taken . Thc Rector before commencing his sermon announced that the collection would be given to sonic specific object in connection with the restoration of thc church ( which hc ha ; been most indefatigable in carrying out during the past two years ) , to b ( decided hereafter by a Committee of the brethren of St . Peter ' s Lodge , No 442 .
After service , the Marchioness Dowager of Huntly kindly threw open Ihe lovely gardens ol Orion Hall , and the brethren and their friends were conducted through the grounds by the head gardener , Mr . Harding . The company then adjourned to the rectory lawn , where they were most
hospitably entertained by the Rector and Mrs . Royston , and returned to Peterborough about 8 . 30 p . m ., having thoroughly enjoyed the service , and much appreciated the kindness of Lady Huntly , and thc hearty and fraternal welcome accorded to one and all by thc much respeclcdand popular Rector and his good wife .
The following is a list of the brethren who attended : Bros . A . M . l'entney , W . M . ; R . Payling , P . P . S . G . D ., I . P . M . ; J . E . Custance , S . W . ; Rev . P . Royston , M . A ., P . G . C , Chap . ; T . W . Harrison , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; VV . Dixey , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec ; G . C . Caster , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., D . C ; IL C Clarabut , P . P . G . Org ., S . D . ; I . Whitsed , J . D . ; W . Varnon , Org . ; C . Wigfall , I . G . ; R . VV . Elsey and G . J . Gray , Stewards ; H . Plowman , P . G . T ., Tyler ; F . G . Buckle , P . M ., P . G . Sec ; J . B . Vergette , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ;
E . Vergette , jun ., P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; J . Wheeler , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . T . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; E . Waller , M . D ., P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J . W . Kirby , P . M . ; J . Hardy , P . M . 1386 ; J . Whear , P . M . 996 ; E . Adams , S . Bamber , Dr . J . G . Barford , W . Brown , S . Boyer , F . Caster , J . Clifton , J . Cocks , T . Cook , P . P . G . T . ; C . E . Crawley , J . W . Cutlack , G . R . Dickens , W . Goodyer , jun ., T . H . Griffin , J . M . Kennedy , M . D ., J . H . Kirk , R . H . Knighton , W . B . Livett , J . H . Pearson , W . H . Pentney , P . G . Steward ; D . H . Redhead , W . S . Saunders , W .
Seabrook , J . Simpson , G . H . Smalley , W . II . Snow , S . Stanley , G . H . Stewart , C Tebbs , J . B . Tebbutt , J . T . Tourt , G . H . Wartnabv , and J . J . Wheeler . Visitors Bros . T . Beesley , J . H . Beeby ( Mayor of Peterborough ) , Rev . G . G . W . Clemenger , H . C . Dunn , J . Maurice Franks , P . M . 37 6 , P . P . J . G . D . Suffolk ; Sergeant-Major Fuller , 570 ( I . C ); H . H . Garton , S . D . 362 ; J . R . Griffin , J . Mackinder , F . Pinney , S . W ., W . M . elect , and J . C . Royce , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., of 4 GG ; T . T . Groves , W . H . Pike , P . M . 1639 , P . G . P . Bucks ; and A . P . Turner , 107 .
An Oration.
AN ORATION .
Ihe following oration was delivered by Comp . C . L . Mason , P . P . G . H . at the consecration of the Prudence Chapter , No . 20 G 9 , held on Saturday ' the 25 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds * . — It was not my intention to take any prominent part in the proceedings of to-day but to be a silent observer . However , a few days ago I received the commands of the Grand Superintendent of West Yorkshire to prepare an address , as I should be called upon to deliver one . When the command came I could not as a loya ]
member of the Order disobey , and hence I must ask your kind indulgence for a few minutes . It vvas a memorable day for many when on the Sth November , 1884 Lodge Prudence vvas consecrated by the then Deputy Provincial Grand Master ' Bro . Tew , now the esteemed Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire ( whose absence vve all so much regret to-day ) , surrounded by a brilliant gathering of the Craft , and the installation of the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Leeds , Bro . Edwin Woodhouse , P . M ., as its first Master . The establishment of Lodge Prudencp
may be said to have been a venture , because it was the establishment of a lodge on special lines—lines not previously adopted in this important northern province . I am glad that the feeling then aroused has happily subsided , and the prophecy that the lodge would not exist on those special lines three years has proved in . correct , for the lodge has novv reached its eighth year of existence , and has proved itself to be a loyal , active , and flourishing lodge , and we are met to-day to extend as it where its borders , by the establishment of a chapter on its own peculiar lines
The inception of Lodge Prudence belonged to our worthy Past Master , Bro . Tudor Trevor . He has his reward in the success that has attended his labours , as well as the good-will and esteem of his brethren and companions . We are assembled to-day to dedicate a new chapter of Royal Arch Masonry . I need not stop to enquire vvhat a chapter of Royal Arch Masonry is , nor dilate upon it historicall y but I would rather dwell on that higher , nobler theme vvhat it teaches . What are vve told ? It is founded on the name of Jehovah . It has virtue for its aim , the glory of
God its object and the eternal welfare of man is considered in every part , point or letter of its ineffable mysteries . It is the " summum bonum or grand whole . " Grand whole of vvhat ? One whole Masonic structure . The Royal Arch is , and must be , the very climax of the Order , for it deals vvith a theme vvhich is above every other theme , and which no other can approach much less surpass ; for however graceful , however useful , other Degrees may be as incentives to imagination the Royal Arch can have no equal . Masonry would be incomplete unless it led us by gradual steps to the contemplation of the Great Jehovah , the
incomprehensible Alpha and Omega , " who was , and is , and is to come , the actual future and eternal , and all sufficient God , who alone has His being in and ol Himself , and gives to all others their being , so that He is vvhat He was and was what He is , and shall be both what He was and vvhat He is fo all eternity , all creation dependant on his mighty vvill . " The more I reflect on , what to us , are the vital principles inculcated in the solemn ceremonial of this Sublime Degree , the more anxious am I that we should approach it with the reverence it claims and to
enforce on all the members of the Order the absolute necessity of regarding it vvith the same amount of veneration . It is very easy and very pleasant to look back and draw the parallel as Freemasonry does between our actual every day life and a true Masonic career . From our dependence on . others ( as inculcated in the First Degree ) for the very preservation of life itself in the days of our childhood , we have drawn the moral that it is our duty to learn and practice an abiding lesson of mutual dependence and equality . Passing
onward in life we reached that period when opportunity was given us to practice these principles ; the dignity of labour and ils usefulness vvere as clearl y shown at its necessity . We were taught that to rightly employ the hours given to us and to consider them as precious talents to be used not only for our own benefit , or for those dependant on us , but for the good of our fellow creatures , and to the glory of our Creator , is the most grateful sacrifice and return we can offer up for all the benefits conferred upon us , when we ourselves most needed assistance . To
the man vvho has cultivated his intellectual powers to the glory of God and the welfare of his fellow creatures , who has modelled his life by the sacred dictates of morality and religion , the warm noon tide of life glides easily and swiftly into the calm afternoon and the gathering shades of evening , until the ni ght comes , when without doubt or fear he lays down his mortal part in the grave as in a bed , his last look not turned back with vain regret to the scenes of his earthly life , but upward with resignation to that " bright morning star , whose rising proclaimed peace and
salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . " Masonry in this Degree points with no faltering finger to that future beyond the grave , when vve shall be in the presence of Him who is the great I AM , " the eternal ruler of the universe , the elemental life , primeval source of all its principles , the very spring and fount of all its virtues . " As we pass from the contemplation of the things of this world to those of the world to come , to the study of the attributes of that Supreme Being who is a !) perfect , vve pause with awe in the presence of that dread
name around which all the mysteries of this Supreme Degree centre . I entreat you , therefore , brethren and companions , to ponder deeply its meaning and mystery , and never to approach it yourselves , or suffer others so to do , with indifference or irreverence . Remember unless you adopt its solemn teaching the circle of your Masonic duties is incomplete , and all your previous professions and practice valueless . Thus the Royal Arch stands as a beacon , a pillar to guide us through the wilderness of tempation , doubt and difficulty by vvhich we are surrounded in our
earthly pilgrimage , until having passed through the dark portals which divide life from death , we enter those happy regions , where the true secrets of Masonry shall be disclosed to the faithful and obedient of the human race . To gain this great end we must during our earthly existence perform , "while it is yet day , " the task allotted to us with untiring zeal and unswerving faith . As trusty workmen and faithful companions we must employ our working tools ; with the pick-axe vv . e must clear away the rubbish and ruins of a fallen nature , with the trowel we must
build up a fairer shrine for the reception of truth and virtue , with the sword by our side we must fight for the weak against the strong , lor the good against thc evil , for the true against the false , and with the . shovel wc must bury the rubbish of the old Adam , so that our spirits may be purified to arise , " when summoned by our tremendous but merciful Judge to life eternal , immortal , and everlasting happiness . " We shall not understand this Degree rightl y if we do not recognise the bond of union it creates between our earthly duties and our heavenly prospects .
No rigid adherence to the rules of morality ; no mere conscientious discharge our duties to ourselves , our families , or our neighbours will ever raise ns , unless vve are actuated and sanctified by a thorough belief in the True and Ever-living God Most High . The constant and strict performance of our duties here is recognised most clearly , and enforced most emphatically throughout the whole 01
this beautitul Degree . Acting on the teaching ot our isubhme Order , let » " be said that you have laboured in vain and wasted your strength for nought , for your work is before the Lord and your recompense with your God . Finally * brethren and companions , "be all of one mind , live in peace , and may the God 0 love and mercy delight to dwell amongst us , " prosper our handiwork of this day in the establishment of this chapter , preserve us from all discord , and " bless ui evermore . "
KEYSTONE . —Architecturally the name for those stones which form the sweep an arch , particularly the last or middle stone placed on the top of the arc : li vault , lt has been said , erroneously , that the arch was not known in j * Solomon's time ; but that theory has long since been proved to be untenable 1 the discoveries and remarks of travellers , and specially by the recent rescearc in subterranean Jerusalem by Bro . Leiut . Warren .