Address Delivered At The Dedication Of Roger "Williams' Monument, U.S.

Divine welcom .- " Well done , good and faithful servants , enter ye into the joy of your Lord . "—Freemasons ' Rcposilo y .

Truth Regnant.

TRUTH REGNANT .

Infidelity has hcen , since the first doubt of God ' s word was harboured in the breast of the first woman , the mother of us all . We recently assigned a reason for the opinion that in the world ' s pre-millenium stage it would r ever cease to be . In its modern hpdra-headed form , its principal toil is to mask stale and oftt-n refuted

objectionsto invest with novelty the effete and threadbare . Its pride is to claim an origin from the superior lights of science , to hail its opponents as the devotees of superstition , to mock devotion as a mental insanity . All this , however , is the merest hollow pretence , as many a scholar knows . It has , no new ideas . Even the latest phase , by perversion of its true principles , so called evolution , has its counterpart

in the ancient theories . It affects the role of learning . But the proportion of such is in disparaging contrast with the long line of illustrious men who have reflected the light of inspired truth in every age . What is the question between us ? The bible as a divine book . This settled , and there is an end of controversy in the mind of man . Infidelity is not a thing of the

head , but the heart : "The fool hath said in his heart , there is no God . " The sacred oracles exist . This is our ground plan and vantage . The fair-minded among sceptics d » rot condescend to the system of mere negation—the open , blatant scoffers move on a lower plane fiom them . But the danger of this teaching is all the more pronounced and insidious . They are of the school of Strauss , and Renan ,

and Weiss . By such the bible is a received book , but they construe it a myth in all its supernatural revealing . The answer is that in all its parts thejews , for " centuries which have passed into milleniums . have rece ived it as their veritable history , while the prophecies alieady fulfilled and no longer questioned , prove it a reality . And this is one short method with this sentimental school . —As to minor criticism of a

verbal character the olj etions of philosophy , fa ' scly so called , time has never yei failed to vindicate Bible accuracy and truth , and wc have no fear that it will ever fail . Faith and patience are wise readers of holy writ , and time is a most excellent expositor . Let us catenate a few of these examples . Theodore Bczi , a learned ami Christian critic , on the strength of a passage in Strauss ,

concluded that St . Luke , to s ey the least of it , had written carelessly in calling ( Acts xxiii . vii . ) the Governor of Cyprus , Strgius Paulus , a Pro Consul , instead of a Pro-Pra : tor , and in his translation of the acts actually , in his blind certitude , substituted the terms . Soon afterwards some old coins of the Island of Cyprus turned up , and the inscriptions on them proved that Bez * was wrong

and St . Luke light . 1 wenty-five years ago an eminent critic , Von Bohle n , mae ! e quite a sensation by undertaking to prove that the author of the Books of Moses must have been a Chaldean , and could have known nothing of Egypt , because in Exodus he speaks of vines and grapes in ancient Egv . P ' t f making wine , of buildings of brick , and of asses and of sheep . Wise and good men waited , however , while

the faith of some was shaken , until Sir Gardner Wilkinson , Roselini , and others , in exploring modern Egypt , demonstrated that Von Bohlcn was wrong and the Books of Moses right . These instances migh ' . be multiplied indefinitely . No case of ci iiicism ami sceptical objection has been found permanently to hold , how plausible , soever , its first presentation .

It is above all other books in its transcendent spiritual power in searching the conscience and in the presentation of a morality which has never been questioned for its purity and aiiapiiun of our race . It rises so high over everything possible as of human invention , it is self evident that this pure me rality could never have sprung from earth . Its laws and legislation underlie the jurisprudence of all government

having justice and right as the high intent of rulers . But chiefly as a plan of salvation , a life-giving principle , a spiritual potency , do wc have an evidence of its divinity whii . ii appeals to the experience of a great multitude , past and present . This power is in the word as a convicting word—a piercing , devouring sword of the spirit , a discerning , seven-eyed heart reader , a converting , regenerating

word , a manifestly divine word . Mr . Van Lennop , missionary to Constantinople , relates that a Turkish Pasha confessed in a free conversation with himself and others , this power of the word : " Were 1 to become a Christian , " said he , " I should be one indeed . " And going to the library if the steamer on which the company were sailing , and opening an English Bible , saiel : " I read this book once

through in Italian " and pointing to his head and heart" It remaineth here and here ! " We cannot close these desultory reflections more profitably than to repeat thelines of Sir Walter Scott , which were found copieel on a fly-leaf of Byron ' s Bible , as an evidence of even his profound sense of the solemn truth and mystery tf the Book :

" Within this awful volume lies The mystery of mysteries ; And happiest they of human race To whom the Lord has given grace To read , to hear , to hope , to pray , To lift the latch and force the way ; But better had he ne ' er been born , Who reads to doubt , or reads to scorn . " —Eclectic .

The erection of Temple Bar on the Thames f- ' nibu . k'iiint as a wattr .-Mc gate to the Temple Garefens lia . been suggested , as the Bar would not only look well , but would tlius retain its old associations with the Temple .

Look To The Future.

LOOK TO THE FUTURE .

When reposing in apparent security , it is well to look to the future , with a view to avoieling danger , or to prepare for it should it come . The institution of Masonry has enjoyed such a long season of uninterrupted success , that it fears no danger , and is indifferent to looking forward in anticipation of what might be at its very door . " In

lime of peace prepare for war . " Is there danger whhin the scope of possibility ? Are there those who believe we are on the brink of a precipice that will engulf many , and in so doing shake the foundation of the old fabric itself ? One of our gnat weaknesses is our numbers , masses of whom are but of the institution in consequence of its present popularity , and who would be baneful should clouds

arise and a storm threaten . We are not a l armists ; on the contrary , we believe that the old Craft is not in any wise cranky , but as staunch as ever , so far at least as the ship herself is concerned ; a little scraping on the quicksamls and a shaking up might rid it of many barnacles ; but there are those of the fraternity who earnestly believe there is a lee-shore ahead that cannot be avoided , and that

it is necessary Jo keep sounding the lead witnout ceasing j they believe that disaster may momentarily result from malcontent , dissatisfaction and monitary considerations e . f some ot an overcrowded creev , as well as from anti-Mascnic torpedoes and breakers of different forms that lie in the immediate path of the vessel . They believe that the Institution of Masonry has become so formidable

in numbers as to attract the special attention of its old enemy the Reiman Catholic Church , and that shortly not only will be fulminated some Bull , but that energetic action will be had that will I ring on such collision between the Jesuits and the fr . rt . rnity that property and even life will be at stake with those who proved true to their voluntary solemn obligations ; this could in no wise affect our

land directly , but his Holiness cannot be ignorant or indifferent to the unprecedented advancement in late years of free thought , and its antagonism with mental tyranny and debasement . Superstition , ignorance , anil fanat cism are > it Ming to that enlightenment which is borne of the " children if light , " and this cannot piss unnoticed . It is unfortunate for the handful of anti-Masons in this

country that they cannot charge some gross crime against th : brotherhood , as they did in 1826 ; they arc suffering tor some great nucleus upon which to build a cry for extermination and convulse sicicty as if with the throes of an earthquake , as they did in 1830 . Masonry is not indifferent to that lesson ; the newspaper press , that powerful engine , poured upon us from its batteries an

incessant storm . Everywhere-, and under every possible circumstance , Masonry was assailed with remorseless violence . The cry of its enemies was like the watchword of Palafox on the Saragossa , " War , war to the knife !" Books , pamphlets , tracts , and handtills , couched in language best calculated to inflame the public mind to the , ' iighcft pitch , flooded the country . They were found in

taverns , in the hands of the people on the highway , in the cottage , in the drawing-room , in the public school , in the church pew , and sometimes on the seat of the judge . Even-handed justice could no more be expected by a Mason , under many circumstances , than if the ban of outlawry had been proclaimed against him . As if it were not enough to banish him from the pale of civil society .

the Mason was not unfrequently driven to the alternative of renouncing Freemasonry , or be expelled from the Church of his faith . The ballot-box , that tremendous power , the ballot-box , with all its crushing weight , was brought to bear upon us . Not a man who dared raise his voice in our favour , or even invoke the general virtue of compassion for the

persecuted institution , had the slightest chance of obtaining the smallest office in the gift of the people . New York State , now possessing 8 , 3 , 000 affiliated Masons , and 110 , 000 of the brotherhood within its limits , then numbered 100 , 000 enrolled anti- Masons , and Pennsylvania half as many more ; the broad taint extended

South anil West , and was all powerful for mischief . Never before , in the annals of the civilised world , were such fearful efforts put forth to crush any institution whatever . It is no exaggeration , no over-drawn picture , but sober facts . Sxiety , through all its depths , reared and heaved , and tossed like the ocean when it feels the wrath of the

hurricane . Not a throne in Europe but would have fallen before a tithe of the power arrayed against the institution of li ght . Ou' own government , though the stronger in the world , could not have withstood such an assault , headed by

overwhelming majorities of the people , aided as was this by the pulpit , the press , the ballot-box . Any of the numerous self-constituted societies of the day , whose existence depends upon the momentary breath of popular opinion , would have vanished as suddenly as did the ghost of Hector .

I hrough all this scene Freemasonry stood calm and undismayed , yet putting forth no effort for self-protection , employing no weapon of defence , and yet came out of this firry furnace unscathed . Like the Hcavcn-protcctul Hebrews , even the smell of fire was not found upon her

garments . And those who fully understand her principles know the reason why . That is our mystery . In view of all this , we look forward , in the full face of the future , undaunted by hierarchy , or croaking ami-Mason , or the trembling passenger upon the deck of our good ship . Sail on , Heaven ' s Angel holds the helm . —Hebrew Leudtr .

The ratepayers of Shrewsbury have met and energetically protested against the endeavour of a small majority in the Town Council to abolish the Show , a festival which had been celebrated for the last seven centuries .

The Fruits Of Freemasonry.

THE FRUITS OF FREEMASONRY .

The following excellent address was delivered by Bro . the Rev . R . G . Sutherland , of Hamilton , Canada , before the brethren of that city on St . John the Baptist ' s Day . Wc commend it to the attentive perusal not only of Masons .

but also of those of the uninitiated who would like to know something of Masonry . We take it from the Canadian Craftsman . St . Matthew , vii 16 "By their fruits ye shall know them . "

Brethren—This is the test our Lcrd gives us whereby to examine every teacher like St . John the Baptist , anil every society . When ws come to speak of a saint like this — of him who was the second Elias , the friend of the bridegroom , the child of promise , like Isaac , and foretold by the prophets —the man appointed like Samson , a Nazarite from his

birth ; consecrated to the Lord like Samuel ; ordered like Elijah to prepare a people for the Lord and to rebuke princes like him , the burning and shining light , at whose coming the voice of prophecy that had been silent for 400 years was again heard ; the man of whom as if anticipating the " well done thou good and faithful servant , " it is written in the book of the Acts as the testimony of God

Himself that " He fulfilled his course , " and , like his Master , " did the work that was given him to do . " How instructive , yet how solemn and difficult , the task ! For who can lightly set forth and paint the inward experience of one on whom the Spirit of God rested from his very infancy—who can duly describe the inward purity of himthe stern rebukes of sin , alike on Jordan ' s banks and in

Herods palace ? Where shall we > ind words to set forth the intense conviction of his faith in the Lamb of Godthe depth of his joy when he beheld the Bridegroom , and said , " This , my joy , is fulfilled , "—that firm hold upon ihe world to come which made him quail not as he bent in the lonely dungeon of Machocrus , beneath the victor's sword . We can only judge of those inward workings of

the mind—we can only estimate the power of the grace which sanctifies him when we mark the spiritual fruits , the decision of character , that lofty , undaunted bearing , that scorn of the happiness and luxuries of the world , that austere , rigid life of strict self-denial , that bold rebuking of ungodliness in hi gh places . It is all summed up for us in those words I have already quoted , John

fulfilled his course—words which depict his career cither as that of the victorious racer dashing along the race course , passing every competitor , and dying nobly in the very moment of victory ; or , as others have understood the words , of the course of some stream that sweeps along in its majestic course , fertilising , as it goes , many and many a lane ) , and at last rushing as a mighty torrent

into the bed of the ocean , its native home . Brethren , when wc look at the history of a great saint like St . John the Baptist , it is right to trace the visible iffect to the hidden cause j to trace the stream to its one true fountain , and to be sure that where there is such abhorrence of sin , such love for the Sav iour , such witnessing for truth , such boldness even unto death , that God has been sought and found :

that fruits like these grew not on the stem of nature ; that the truth has been followed , so far as the truth is known ; that that truth has taught him how to value the world's toys and baits , and scorn and rage—to value them at their real value , when seen in the light of eternity—and then to trample them under foot . Faith like his ; separation and severance from the world like his

that rugged and undaunted boldness which courts no smile and fears no frown , has its roots on high , in common with God , in a spirit of obedience to His will , But your presence here to-day reminds mc that I must turn to . another illustration of the text , " By their fruits ye shall know them . " I cannot hope to teach you your duty as Masons ; it would ill become me—perhaps the youngest in

your rar . ks—to attempt this . But since you have honoured me so far as to ask me to address you on this festival , I propose to examine our world-wide Order by the simple test our Lord and Saviour here lays down ; and with no affected humility permit me to ask you , Brethren and Worshipful and Right Worshipful Brethren , to extend your wonted charity to me if I fail , I do not say to instruct ,

but to interest you . What I have to say cannot be new to you , for it is from yourselves that I have learned the truths 1 am about to put you in mind of . What , then , is Freemasonry , and what are its fruits ? What is its aim , and what does it do ? First , what is it ? It is a beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . Masonry , then , is not a system

of religion , but of morality . The great principles of natural and revealed religion are , it is true , preserved and inculcated by our Order . The Bible , the volume of the Sacred Law , is the great standard of Masonic truth . No act is regular which feels nut the hallowing influence of its open pages . It is the central point to which the eyes of Masons are always directed , from which arc diffused those gleams

of light which dispel the darkness of the human understanding , and brighten and illumine the blindness of the human heart . But Masonry concerns itself rather with the moral than with the spiritual doctrines of the Bible . It is the handmaid anil assistant , not the rival of , or the substitute for , the Church . This , " system of morality , veiled in allegory , " is " illustrated by symbols "—symbol *

from the universal language . The bent knee , bowed hea $ outstretched hand , are embodiments of thoughts and feelings common to mankind . Look around you , as you sit , and let me read to you what this churcb teaches you symbo'ically . The chancel looks toward the East because

Christ is the bri ght and morning star , and shall thence appear , as say the old traditions when in the latter day He cometh to save us . The western front is toward the world . Upon that face are found in many an ancient cathedral all manner of strange grotesque figures , representing the evil agents and powers ofdarknesscastforth from the Church and