An Oration.

trate the inner teaching and truths of Masonry , or render perpetual the real object and the inestimable advantages of this beneficent Institution . May it be ours , then my assembled brethren , Avhatever bo our rank or station in the Order , so to comport ourselves as true

Freemasons in our lodge meetings , so to realize our responsibilities as members ¦ of the Craft at large , above all so to adorn the situation and perform the duties Avhich devolve upon us all , as members of society and children of the dust , that at the end

of our labours , at the close of our career , be that career long or short , Ave may hope , for the infinite mercies of the Great Jehovah , to ascend from this our temporary lodge , Avhere Ave have passed so many pleasant days of earthl y feUoAvship , to that better

lodge above—not made Avith hands , eternal in the heavens , Avhere all shall be perfect , and Avithout blemish , Avhere weakness shall be unknown , and controversy unheard , where affection shall never be dimmed , and where happiness shall knoAV no end . SO MOTE IT BE .

Silence.

SILENCE .

" In Silence mighty things are wrought : Silently builded , thought on thought , Truth's temple greets the sky ; And like a citadel AA'ith towers , The soul -with her subservient powers Is strengthened silently .

Soundless as chariots on tho snow The saplings of the forest grow To trees of mighty girth ; Each mighty star in silence burns , And every day in silence turns The axle of the earth .

The silent frost , with mighty hand . Fetters the rivers and the land With universal chain ; And , smitten by the silent sun , The chain is loosed the rivers run , The lands are free again . " Mackey ' s National Freemason .

Sis Memor Mei.

SIS MEMOR MEI .

Life fades with its gifts and pleasures , Its follies and its toys , Its hopes , its dreams , its treasures , Its sorroiv-3 and its joys ; And there falls on life ' s wither'd pow ' rs , As on our dreamy gaze , A shadow of happier hours , As Avell as of brighter days .

And 'tis much the same with our inner life And sympathiei to-day , For often amid this toilsome strift Bright links all pass away , Dear links of old affection , True links of lasting love ; There falls on us all a reflexion Of dimmer clouds above .

Thus hopes and hearts grow sadly cold In the avenues of years , And many we dearly lov'd of old AVe think of now with tears ; For the paths of Life haA-e parted Alike for ns and them , For some with whom we started Together its waves to stem .

And they and we are wand'ring still On long cross-roads afar , No longer is ours one loving will , Nor even one guiding star ; But there has settled on our hearts below The blight of mildew'd trust , And on our hopes and joys as they onvrurd flow , The cankerworm , and rust .

And thus amid this bewildering maze Of many a fear and doubt , Of the palsied will , of sevcr'd \ yays , Of cares within—without , AVe are wand ' ring on in the growing night Of earthly dread once more , Without the dear and blessed Light Of Sympathy ' s loving store .

Oh , then for Thee kind heart and true , What more can I wish to-day ? But that there may sometimes come to you , Even though far , far away , A gleam , as it were , of a brighter past Of leal and faith sincere , To ivhisper to you of time faded fast , And of a friend both old and dear . W .

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