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Article Red Cross of Constantine. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND AND THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC. Page 1 of 1 Article THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND AND THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC SERMON Page 1 of 2 Article MASONIC SERMON Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Red Cross Of Constantine.
The orthodox " fire " was used for the first time in connection with the piincipal toasts . Sir Knight VV . H . Lewthwaite presided at the pianoforte , and the proceedings were enlivened by the vocal efforts of Sir Knig hts VV . F . Lamonby , G . Brash , J . R . Banks , W . Lamonby , and Jos . Hewson ; whilst Sic Knight E . Tyson contributed an agreeable variety in the shape of a coup ' c of capitally-delivered
recitations . The company separated shortly after six o ' clock , with the Sentinel ' s toast . There can now be but little doubt that Dykes Conclave has entered on a new era , and that a most successful and promising one . For three or four years from the outset the concern languished , and had all but died away ; but the determined attitude of half-a dozen members kept the conclave on its legs , and th , e great bulk of outstanding arrears and dues
having been collected , a fresh start was made . There are now fifty members on the roll , in good standing , too ; several hopelessly ornamental drones , who were charmed with the novelty of the thing at first sight only , having been struck off , through non-payment of subscriptions . Dykes Conclave , also , is the only one working in Cumberland and Westmorland now , Kenlis , No . 20 , at Kendal , being practically defunct .
The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND AND THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC .
As we have published the correspontlcnce on this subject from the Craflsman in our last Freemason , we think it right to reproduce the officii ! reply of the Grand Lodge cf Scotland . " The Committee having considered the communication
from the body styling it « elf the Grand Lodge of Quebec , dated 17 th May last , and a ' Proclamation' by its Grand Master , dated 21 st June last , begs to report that the Grand Lodge in agreeing in Fcbiuary , 1877 , to acknowledge Quebec as a Grand L < dge expressly reserved its jurisdiction over its loelge , the "Elgin , " at Montreal , in the event of that lodge rlesiring to continue its conneciion with
Scotland . This qualified resolution the body at Quebec has refused to accept ; and it has imperatively demanded that the Grand Lodges of Scotland and England shall within a given period recall ihe charters of their respective lodges in the Colony , and that these lodges shall thereupon apply for new charters from it . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland when it passed the
resolution in e | uestion was not informed of the claim advinced . by Quebec to absolute ar . el exclusive jurisdiction within the Province of Lower Canada . In its application of January 0 , 1877 , for recognition , it simply Sincerely desired recognition of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and to be m fraternal intercourse with it . ' Grand Lodge in disposing of the application was thus not aware of Quebec ' s
pretensions , and that its demand was not only for recognition but also for renunciation by Grand Lodge cf its hitherto undisputed jurisdiction over its own daughter lodge at Montreal , and that too against the wish of that lodge , which was in existence long before the formation even of the Grand Lodge cf Canada itself . " Had the body at Quebe ; frankly stated its demands in its application , the present difficulty would not have
occulted , for Grand Lodge would have refused its recognition on such conditions . It had from thc first been of opinion that a Grand Lodge at Quebec was unnecessary , and it was only induced to accord its qualified recognition on tbe representation that the Grand Lodges of Canada and England had given theirs . But it now appears that the latter Grand Body had also qualified its recognition in terms similar to those of Scotland , and that the Quebec body , with characteristic modesty , had refused its
acceptance . " In such circumstances the resolution to recognise Quebrrr tn any extent has fallen , and that by its own act . It has thus no cause of just complaint , for Scotland is under no obligation to recognise it , and Scotland in declining to do so has exercised its undoubted right . The terms on
which it offered recognition are those that have in every other similar case been exacted and readily agreed to . They are only insisted on in places where daughter lodges desire to retain their connection wilh their mother Grand Ledge , and when , through time , that desire dies out , Scotland readily renounces her jurisdiction in such localities .
" The Committee desires to remind Grand Lodge that in recognising the Grand Lodge of Canadi similar conditions were agreed to by that Grand Body , and that the closest alliance and harmonious intercourse have throughout existed between the two Grand Lodges . " We are not told on what ground Quebec pretends to have a more extended title than that of the Grand Lodge
of Canada . It seceded from that Grand Lodge , and by importunity succeeded in getting it to relinquish in its favour its jurisdiction over the Province cf Lower Canada . But thc relinquishment of that jurisdiction did not and could not convey the jurisdiction of other Grand Bodies which it did not possess . The Grand Lodge of Canada conferred no right other than its own ; and if the right to
govern the English and Scotch lodges belonged to tbe Giand Lodges of those countries it still remains with them . "The body at Quebec having declined to accept of thc recognition of Scotland on the terms offered it , it is not in its eyes a lawful Masonic power , and the Grand Lodge cf
Canada , having ceased to exercise jurisdiction in the province , the district has become open territory , and is now in the same position as it was prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada . In consequence , the Grand Lodge of Scotland has authorised the formation of two other lodges at Montreal . " Among the documents submitted to the Committee ,
The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.
there wasacopyofa letter written by the Past Grand Master of Scotland , the deceased Earl of Dalhousie , in ¦ vhich that noble brother expressed his opinion in a question with the Grand Lodge of Missouri , which claimed a right to object to an American citizen , resident in Scotland , being admitted tothe Craft in Scotland , that it was wrong in that pretension , but his Lordship added that if the
Grand Lodge of Scotland had proposed to erect a lodge hailing under her banner in Missouri ( a foreign State ) , that would have been an invasion of its jurisdiction which could not be justified . ' This opinion is at variance with the practice of several European Grand Lodges ; but the Committee accepts it as correct . There , however , is no analogy between the two cases . The noble Past Grand
Master rightly assumed in making his remarks that the Grand Lodgeof Scotland admitted the genuineness of the Grand Lodge of Missouri , and that it had exclusive jurisdiction within its bounds . But the Grar . d Lodge of Scotlaud denies that the body of Quebi c is a genuine Grand Lodge , and that it has such jurisdiction there . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland does not know of any
Masonic power exercising at present jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec other than itself and the Grand Lodge of England . "In conclusion , the Committee has to remark that the pretended Grand Lodge of Quebec founds its claim to independence on the erroneous principle that any number of Masons is entitled to absolve themselves of their oaths of
allegiance to their mother Grand Lodge , and to constitute themselves into a scpirate Grand Lodge ; and it claims exclusive jurisdiction over a part of the Queen ' s dominions on the ground that ' Political and Masonic boundaries should be conterminous . ' It forgets in advancing the latter proposition that on that ground it should itself have no existence . Thc province cf Quebec is nit a sovereign
State like one of those forming the United States of North America . It is merely a province of Canada , a dependency of the British Crown . "The Committee , in the circumstances above stated , has to recommend that Grand Lod ^ c should take no further notice of this matter , unless the pretended Grand Lodge at Quebec chooses to imitate its readiness to accept
of the qualified recognition which this Grand Lodge and that of Englanel have expressed their readiness to accord . " As regards an application by the Scotch tlaughter lodges at Montreal for the creation of a Provincial Grand Lodge there , the Committee recommend Grand Lodge to grant the prayer of this petition , in 01 der that its lodges may be placed in as advantageous a position as those of England ,
which have long had a District Grand Master presiding over them , and as the lodges have suggested Bro . Dr . George A . Baynes for the office of Provincial Grand Master , the Committee recommend his appointment ; and further , it suggests that a cordial vote of thanks should be accorded to that distinguished brother for his loyalty to Grand Lodge under trying circumstances . "
Masonic Sermon
MASONIC SERMON
Preached before the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Surrey , at Dorking Church , by Bro . Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , P . M ., P . G . C , and P . P . S . G . W ., on Tuesday , July 16 th , 1878 , the R . W . Bro . General T . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . Grand Master . Jeremiah , Chapter xxii ., v . 39 :
" And I will give them one heart , and one way , that they may fear me for ever , for the good of them and of their children after them . " We can imagine the Prophet from the court of his prison house ( where Zedekiah , King of Judah , had shut him up ) pouring forth in that beautifully poetic language for which he was famed , all the predictions of God ' s
anger against His people Israel , telling them that the Lord , " great in council and mighty in work had His eyes open on all the ways of the sons of men ; to give them according to their ways and according to the fruits of their doings , " and shewing them how they had been brought out of the Land of Kgypt with a mightly hand and a , stretched-out arm , into a land flowing with milk
and honey , and how they had possessed it , but had not obeyed God ' s voice , nor walked according to His laws ; anel how for all this they should be led into captivity in Chaldaja and delivered into the hands of Nebucadnezzar , King of Babylon ; and then , turning to the more merciful character of God , lie tells them that the Lord would not retain His anger for ever , but would bring them again into that
place ; cause them to dwell safely , and promising that " they should be His people , and ^ that He would be their God , " adding in the words of my text , " And I ' will give them one heart , and one way , that they may fear me for ever , for the good of them and of their children after them . " And these words , brethren , I consider especially suitable to this day ' s gathering when I see before me a mixed
congregation , some drawn hither , no doubt , by the unwonted occuirencc of a Society of Freemasons assembled in their Parish Church at the annual gathering of their Provincial Grand Lodge , to be addressed by their Chaplain upon the general principles and duties of onr Order , hoping perhaps to ga ' . hcr from the crumbs that fall , nrratherare " cast like the bread upon the waters , "
some insight into those mysteries which from time immemorial it has been our custom to keep secret from the uninitated or outer world ; and sincerely do I trust that the Great Architect of the Univeise will bless what I am [ about to say , so that your hopes may not be disappointed , but that you who are not Freemasons and you who are may go
away impressed with this great truth , that however we may choose to encircle our teachings with a cloud of mystery , that cloud has a silver lining ; for our obligations contain nothing inconsistent with civil , moral , or religious duties . Be assured of one thing , that the society is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , and is replete with valuable privileges . I have said that I consider the
Masonic Sermon
words of my text eminently suitable to our Masonic bod y , and this day ' s service . For God in His mercy has given us one heart and one way , and the true Mason will fear Him for ever—for his own good , and he will bring up his children to love and fear Him also . There was one who came to seek and save the lost—one ( the greatest prophet who ever walked the earth ) who told His disciples that charity
might be defined in a single sentence : " Thou shalt love the Lord , thy God , with all thy heart and with all thy soul , and thy neighbour as thyself . " And of Masonry I may say that the same blessed teaching applies most nearly . And they but little understand what genuine Freemasonry is who neglect to exercise these all-saving virtues . Why , at his first entry into our body the young aspirant is asked
whether he puts his trust in God in danger and in difficulty , and he binds himself to succour a brother ' s infirmities and relieve his wants ; to remember him in his prayers , to keep his lawful secrets as a sacred trust , and if he can help it not to allow the breath of slander to go forth against him . Is not this to love our neighbour as ourselves ? and think not that this is all , think not that his neighbour
ceases to be his neighbour if beyond the circle of our brotherhood . No ! our obligation embraces all ; it is the Good Samaritan ' s feeling ( wide as the universe , and I trust lasting as eternity ) ; it is to pour the oil of consolation upon the stricken conscience , to birdjup the wounds of sin and infirmity , to care for the afflicted in deed as well as in word . This is to show mercy , this is to love
your neighbour as yourself , and this teaching stands first and foremost in our Order . I feel sure that my Masonic brethren will go with me in what I have thus far said of the character of cur society . And now a few words to them as Masons , and here I feel a difficulty—for when I look upon the many eminent members of the Craft , who to-day have left their hemes to
gather round our leaders in this important province , I feel how little I have to offer for their instruction , and how much instead I ( Masonically ) need to learn of them . As they , therefore , know so well the duties to which they havebound themselves , I will only endeavour to refresh their memory with a few remarks upon the teachings , the principles , and the moral symbols we possess—and may the many
excellent things which you , my more immediate brethren , have already learned , be ever manifested in their allegorical lights , may they be blazoned forth to dignify and adorn the science . Would you , by example , teach morality , do it by referring to the Past Master's jewel . Would you inculcate equality , take the S . Warden ' s for your emblem ; or integrity , let the J . Warden's jewel be your symbol . Each reads a
Masonic lesson . Carry your thoughts back to that all glorious time when our great prototype , King Solomon , stood before the Ark of God , and when the children of Israel were assembled unto him , not i . we are told ) to be numbered for multitudes and when the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord into the Most Holy place , even under the wings of the Cherubim , and when the
trumpters and singers , as with one accord , lifted up their voices , and thanked the Almighty Creator , saying He is Gffd , " For His mercy endurcth for ever ; " and then when the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord , and Solomon rising up said , in a loud voice , '' The Lord has said he would dwell in thick darkness , but I have built him a house where he may shadow forth his gloiious lights . " Go
back in mind , I say , to that glorious time , and let it teach you how the light of God ' s countenance has shined upon the dark places of this earth , and although the beautiful temple built for His praise has long since crumbled into dust , remember that God is still with us , and that where two or three are gathered together in His house He is there —be it in a sacred house like this , or be it under the fair
vault of Heaven , He is there to hear our prayers ( wafted to Him by our precious Saviour ) , and to answer our call when we call aright . And , although He does not show Himself , He is still as present with us as when the Shccmich of old spoke to the Israelites and our ancient brethren out of the cloudy pillar from thc mercy seat . In all your dealings let the square emblematically guide you to be
upright , just , and true . Let the level lead you to rejoice in a brother Mason ' s good fortune , and if ever angry thoughts arise within your bosoms , let the compasses symbolically lead you to keep your passions within due bounds . These are some of the symbols of our Order , and by acting upon them you will not only be at peace within , but you will show to the outer world the true spirit that
animates a Mason's heart . Practise , my Masonic brethren , these virtues , both iu your inner walk at home , and in your outer pilgrimage among the children of men , so that they may know you by your fruits which they behold , even as we know each ether by secret signs and tokens . Practise ( I say ) these virtues , and the Great Architect of AU will , as my text says , " Continue you in one heart and in one
way , that you may love and fear Him for ever , for your good ; and for the good of your children that come after you . " You all know that our system was founded on brotherly love , relief , and truth , or " Charity , " and this is what I want to impress upon the minds of my non-Masonic hearers , for I know that there exists in the outer world conflicting opinions as regards the great principles of
the Order . They do not really take in the true meaning of the word charity . Considered in the light of almsgiving , we call it relief , as in the asylums for our boys and girls and aged brethren in poverty , but this is not all ; there are other virtues connected with our teaching , virtues which an inspired writer has beautifully brought before us in ist Cor ., c . xiii ' . " Faith and Hope , " a
Faith which will end in sight , and Hope which will end in enjoyment , and a charity which is greater than these , greater than Faith , which unites us to our Saviour ; greater than Hope , which raises the believer ' s heart from earth to heaven . Yes ; greater than cither , because it makes 'us more like God ; for God is love . This brethren , is the way in which we Masons look upon charity or brotherly love , not to the exclusion of a due feeling for the temporal wants
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Red Cross Of Constantine.
The orthodox " fire " was used for the first time in connection with the piincipal toasts . Sir Knight VV . H . Lewthwaite presided at the pianoforte , and the proceedings were enlivened by the vocal efforts of Sir Knig hts VV . F . Lamonby , G . Brash , J . R . Banks , W . Lamonby , and Jos . Hewson ; whilst Sic Knight E . Tyson contributed an agreeable variety in the shape of a coup ' c of capitally-delivered
recitations . The company separated shortly after six o ' clock , with the Sentinel ' s toast . There can now be but little doubt that Dykes Conclave has entered on a new era , and that a most successful and promising one . For three or four years from the outset the concern languished , and had all but died away ; but the determined attitude of half-a dozen members kept the conclave on its legs , and th , e great bulk of outstanding arrears and dues
having been collected , a fresh start was made . There are now fifty members on the roll , in good standing , too ; several hopelessly ornamental drones , who were charmed with the novelty of the thing at first sight only , having been struck off , through non-payment of subscriptions . Dykes Conclave , also , is the only one working in Cumberland and Westmorland now , Kenlis , No . 20 , at Kendal , being practically defunct .
The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND AND THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC .
As we have published the correspontlcnce on this subject from the Craflsman in our last Freemason , we think it right to reproduce the officii ! reply of the Grand Lodge cf Scotland . " The Committee having considered the communication
from the body styling it « elf the Grand Lodge of Quebec , dated 17 th May last , and a ' Proclamation' by its Grand Master , dated 21 st June last , begs to report that the Grand Lodge in agreeing in Fcbiuary , 1877 , to acknowledge Quebec as a Grand L < dge expressly reserved its jurisdiction over its loelge , the "Elgin , " at Montreal , in the event of that lodge rlesiring to continue its conneciion with
Scotland . This qualified resolution the body at Quebec has refused to accept ; and it has imperatively demanded that the Grand Lodges of Scotland and England shall within a given period recall ihe charters of their respective lodges in the Colony , and that these lodges shall thereupon apply for new charters from it . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland when it passed the
resolution in e | uestion was not informed of the claim advinced . by Quebec to absolute ar . el exclusive jurisdiction within the Province of Lower Canada . In its application of January 0 , 1877 , for recognition , it simply Sincerely desired recognition of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and to be m fraternal intercourse with it . ' Grand Lodge in disposing of the application was thus not aware of Quebec ' s
pretensions , and that its demand was not only for recognition but also for renunciation by Grand Lodge cf its hitherto undisputed jurisdiction over its own daughter lodge at Montreal , and that too against the wish of that lodge , which was in existence long before the formation even of the Grand Lodge cf Canada itself . " Had the body at Quebe ; frankly stated its demands in its application , the present difficulty would not have
occulted , for Grand Lodge would have refused its recognition on such conditions . It had from thc first been of opinion that a Grand Lodge at Quebec was unnecessary , and it was only induced to accord its qualified recognition on tbe representation that the Grand Lodges of Canada and England had given theirs . But it now appears that the latter Grand Body had also qualified its recognition in terms similar to those of Scotland , and that the Quebec body , with characteristic modesty , had refused its
acceptance . " In such circumstances the resolution to recognise Quebrrr tn any extent has fallen , and that by its own act . It has thus no cause of just complaint , for Scotland is under no obligation to recognise it , and Scotland in declining to do so has exercised its undoubted right . The terms on
which it offered recognition are those that have in every other similar case been exacted and readily agreed to . They are only insisted on in places where daughter lodges desire to retain their connection wilh their mother Grand Ledge , and when , through time , that desire dies out , Scotland readily renounces her jurisdiction in such localities .
" The Committee desires to remind Grand Lodge that in recognising the Grand Lodge of Canadi similar conditions were agreed to by that Grand Body , and that the closest alliance and harmonious intercourse have throughout existed between the two Grand Lodges . " We are not told on what ground Quebec pretends to have a more extended title than that of the Grand Lodge
of Canada . It seceded from that Grand Lodge , and by importunity succeeded in getting it to relinquish in its favour its jurisdiction over the Province cf Lower Canada . But thc relinquishment of that jurisdiction did not and could not convey the jurisdiction of other Grand Bodies which it did not possess . The Grand Lodge of Canada conferred no right other than its own ; and if the right to
govern the English and Scotch lodges belonged to tbe Giand Lodges of those countries it still remains with them . "The body at Quebec having declined to accept of thc recognition of Scotland on the terms offered it , it is not in its eyes a lawful Masonic power , and the Grand Lodge cf
Canada , having ceased to exercise jurisdiction in the province , the district has become open territory , and is now in the same position as it was prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada . In consequence , the Grand Lodge of Scotland has authorised the formation of two other lodges at Montreal . " Among the documents submitted to the Committee ,
The Grand Lodge Of Scotland And The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.
there wasacopyofa letter written by the Past Grand Master of Scotland , the deceased Earl of Dalhousie , in ¦ vhich that noble brother expressed his opinion in a question with the Grand Lodge of Missouri , which claimed a right to object to an American citizen , resident in Scotland , being admitted tothe Craft in Scotland , that it was wrong in that pretension , but his Lordship added that if the
Grand Lodge of Scotland had proposed to erect a lodge hailing under her banner in Missouri ( a foreign State ) , that would have been an invasion of its jurisdiction which could not be justified . ' This opinion is at variance with the practice of several European Grand Lodges ; but the Committee accepts it as correct . There , however , is no analogy between the two cases . The noble Past Grand
Master rightly assumed in making his remarks that the Grand Lodgeof Scotland admitted the genuineness of the Grand Lodge of Missouri , and that it had exclusive jurisdiction within its bounds . But the Grar . d Lodge of Scotlaud denies that the body of Quebi c is a genuine Grand Lodge , and that it has such jurisdiction there . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland does not know of any
Masonic power exercising at present jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec other than itself and the Grand Lodge of England . "In conclusion , the Committee has to remark that the pretended Grand Lodge of Quebec founds its claim to independence on the erroneous principle that any number of Masons is entitled to absolve themselves of their oaths of
allegiance to their mother Grand Lodge , and to constitute themselves into a scpirate Grand Lodge ; and it claims exclusive jurisdiction over a part of the Queen ' s dominions on the ground that ' Political and Masonic boundaries should be conterminous . ' It forgets in advancing the latter proposition that on that ground it should itself have no existence . Thc province cf Quebec is nit a sovereign
State like one of those forming the United States of North America . It is merely a province of Canada , a dependency of the British Crown . "The Committee , in the circumstances above stated , has to recommend that Grand Lod ^ c should take no further notice of this matter , unless the pretended Grand Lodge at Quebec chooses to imitate its readiness to accept
of the qualified recognition which this Grand Lodge and that of Englanel have expressed their readiness to accord . " As regards an application by the Scotch tlaughter lodges at Montreal for the creation of a Provincial Grand Lodge there , the Committee recommend Grand Lodge to grant the prayer of this petition , in 01 der that its lodges may be placed in as advantageous a position as those of England ,
which have long had a District Grand Master presiding over them , and as the lodges have suggested Bro . Dr . George A . Baynes for the office of Provincial Grand Master , the Committee recommend his appointment ; and further , it suggests that a cordial vote of thanks should be accorded to that distinguished brother for his loyalty to Grand Lodge under trying circumstances . "
Masonic Sermon
MASONIC SERMON
Preached before the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Surrey , at Dorking Church , by Bro . Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , P . M ., P . G . C , and P . P . S . G . W ., on Tuesday , July 16 th , 1878 , the R . W . Bro . General T . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . Grand Master . Jeremiah , Chapter xxii ., v . 39 :
" And I will give them one heart , and one way , that they may fear me for ever , for the good of them and of their children after them . " We can imagine the Prophet from the court of his prison house ( where Zedekiah , King of Judah , had shut him up ) pouring forth in that beautifully poetic language for which he was famed , all the predictions of God ' s
anger against His people Israel , telling them that the Lord , " great in council and mighty in work had His eyes open on all the ways of the sons of men ; to give them according to their ways and according to the fruits of their doings , " and shewing them how they had been brought out of the Land of Kgypt with a mightly hand and a , stretched-out arm , into a land flowing with milk
and honey , and how they had possessed it , but had not obeyed God ' s voice , nor walked according to His laws ; anel how for all this they should be led into captivity in Chaldaja and delivered into the hands of Nebucadnezzar , King of Babylon ; and then , turning to the more merciful character of God , lie tells them that the Lord would not retain His anger for ever , but would bring them again into that
place ; cause them to dwell safely , and promising that " they should be His people , and ^ that He would be their God , " adding in the words of my text , " And I ' will give them one heart , and one way , that they may fear me for ever , for the good of them and of their children after them . " And these words , brethren , I consider especially suitable to this day ' s gathering when I see before me a mixed
congregation , some drawn hither , no doubt , by the unwonted occuirencc of a Society of Freemasons assembled in their Parish Church at the annual gathering of their Provincial Grand Lodge , to be addressed by their Chaplain upon the general principles and duties of onr Order , hoping perhaps to ga ' . hcr from the crumbs that fall , nrratherare " cast like the bread upon the waters , "
some insight into those mysteries which from time immemorial it has been our custom to keep secret from the uninitated or outer world ; and sincerely do I trust that the Great Architect of the Univeise will bless what I am [ about to say , so that your hopes may not be disappointed , but that you who are not Freemasons and you who are may go
away impressed with this great truth , that however we may choose to encircle our teachings with a cloud of mystery , that cloud has a silver lining ; for our obligations contain nothing inconsistent with civil , moral , or religious duties . Be assured of one thing , that the society is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , and is replete with valuable privileges . I have said that I consider the
Masonic Sermon
words of my text eminently suitable to our Masonic bod y , and this day ' s service . For God in His mercy has given us one heart and one way , and the true Mason will fear Him for ever—for his own good , and he will bring up his children to love and fear Him also . There was one who came to seek and save the lost—one ( the greatest prophet who ever walked the earth ) who told His disciples that charity
might be defined in a single sentence : " Thou shalt love the Lord , thy God , with all thy heart and with all thy soul , and thy neighbour as thyself . " And of Masonry I may say that the same blessed teaching applies most nearly . And they but little understand what genuine Freemasonry is who neglect to exercise these all-saving virtues . Why , at his first entry into our body the young aspirant is asked
whether he puts his trust in God in danger and in difficulty , and he binds himself to succour a brother ' s infirmities and relieve his wants ; to remember him in his prayers , to keep his lawful secrets as a sacred trust , and if he can help it not to allow the breath of slander to go forth against him . Is not this to love our neighbour as ourselves ? and think not that this is all , think not that his neighbour
ceases to be his neighbour if beyond the circle of our brotherhood . No ! our obligation embraces all ; it is the Good Samaritan ' s feeling ( wide as the universe , and I trust lasting as eternity ) ; it is to pour the oil of consolation upon the stricken conscience , to birdjup the wounds of sin and infirmity , to care for the afflicted in deed as well as in word . This is to show mercy , this is to love
your neighbour as yourself , and this teaching stands first and foremost in our Order . I feel sure that my Masonic brethren will go with me in what I have thus far said of the character of cur society . And now a few words to them as Masons , and here I feel a difficulty—for when I look upon the many eminent members of the Craft , who to-day have left their hemes to
gather round our leaders in this important province , I feel how little I have to offer for their instruction , and how much instead I ( Masonically ) need to learn of them . As they , therefore , know so well the duties to which they havebound themselves , I will only endeavour to refresh their memory with a few remarks upon the teachings , the principles , and the moral symbols we possess—and may the many
excellent things which you , my more immediate brethren , have already learned , be ever manifested in their allegorical lights , may they be blazoned forth to dignify and adorn the science . Would you , by example , teach morality , do it by referring to the Past Master's jewel . Would you inculcate equality , take the S . Warden ' s for your emblem ; or integrity , let the J . Warden's jewel be your symbol . Each reads a
Masonic lesson . Carry your thoughts back to that all glorious time when our great prototype , King Solomon , stood before the Ark of God , and when the children of Israel were assembled unto him , not i . we are told ) to be numbered for multitudes and when the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord into the Most Holy place , even under the wings of the Cherubim , and when the
trumpters and singers , as with one accord , lifted up their voices , and thanked the Almighty Creator , saying He is Gffd , " For His mercy endurcth for ever ; " and then when the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord , and Solomon rising up said , in a loud voice , '' The Lord has said he would dwell in thick darkness , but I have built him a house where he may shadow forth his gloiious lights . " Go
back in mind , I say , to that glorious time , and let it teach you how the light of God ' s countenance has shined upon the dark places of this earth , and although the beautiful temple built for His praise has long since crumbled into dust , remember that God is still with us , and that where two or three are gathered together in His house He is there —be it in a sacred house like this , or be it under the fair
vault of Heaven , He is there to hear our prayers ( wafted to Him by our precious Saviour ) , and to answer our call when we call aright . And , although He does not show Himself , He is still as present with us as when the Shccmich of old spoke to the Israelites and our ancient brethren out of the cloudy pillar from thc mercy seat . In all your dealings let the square emblematically guide you to be
upright , just , and true . Let the level lead you to rejoice in a brother Mason ' s good fortune , and if ever angry thoughts arise within your bosoms , let the compasses symbolically lead you to keep your passions within due bounds . These are some of the symbols of our Order , and by acting upon them you will not only be at peace within , but you will show to the outer world the true spirit that
animates a Mason's heart . Practise , my Masonic brethren , these virtues , both iu your inner walk at home , and in your outer pilgrimage among the children of men , so that they may know you by your fruits which they behold , even as we know each ether by secret signs and tokens . Practise ( I say ) these virtues , and the Great Architect of AU will , as my text says , " Continue you in one heart and in one
way , that you may love and fear Him for ever , for your good ; and for the good of your children that come after you . " You all know that our system was founded on brotherly love , relief , and truth , or " Charity , " and this is what I want to impress upon the minds of my non-Masonic hearers , for I know that there exists in the outer world conflicting opinions as regards the great principles of
the Order . They do not really take in the true meaning of the word charity . Considered in the light of almsgiving , we call it relief , as in the asylums for our boys and girls and aged brethren in poverty , but this is not all ; there are other virtues connected with our teaching , virtues which an inspired writer has beautifully brought before us in ist Cor ., c . xiii ' . " Faith and Hope , " a
Faith which will end in sight , and Hope which will end in enjoyment , and a charity which is greater than these , greater than Faith , which unites us to our Saviour ; greater than Hope , which raises the believer ' s heart from earth to heaven . Yes ; greater than cither , because it makes 'us more like God ; for God is love . This brethren , is the way in which we Masons look upon charity or brotherly love , not to the exclusion of a due feeling for the temporal wants