An Oration

Never since this lodge was first dedicated , through the long years , has it been opened or closed without invoking God's blessing , thanking Him for His goodness and mercy , and praying for a continuance of His preserving power . Many have been the worthy Masons who have successively occupied this chair of King Solomon ; many , doubtless , have been the vicissitudes through which this lodge has passed ; many have been the changes among its members as

this last century , 1780 to 1880 , among the most eventful in the history of the world , has been marching on its appointed course ; but amidst all the chances and changes of this mortal life One has not changed whose great and awful name is depicted in every lodge , and to whom prayer has been made continually . This intimate connection of Freemasonry with religionand of

Eng-, lish Freemasonry with the Church of God in this country , has received very recently a striking illustration , when on May 20 th , 1880 , Bro . H . R . H . Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall , the M . W . Grand Master of Masons in England , laid the foundation-stone of Truro Cathedral and said , " Be it known unto you that we , being lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of our country , although not ourselves operative masons , have from time

immemorial been associated with the erection , of buildings raised for the benefit of mankind and the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . " The history of Freemasonry in England and in Europe is a sufficient testimony to the truth of that statement . The student of history will remember that when the first thousand years of the Christian era were drawing to a close there was a general expectation of the approaching dissolution of the world . Whenhoweverthe first year of

, , the eleventh century opened without the dreadful catastrophe taking place , there surged up throughout the western Church an intense zeal for the erection of edifices that should be dedicated to the honour and worship of the Most High . In every direction the old churches were razed to the ground , and new edifices on a vaster and more majestic scale erected . The builders were the associated fraternities of Freemasons . . During the eleventh and twelfth

centuries those Masonic societies exercised a widespread influence on the architecture of Europe , travelling from country to country , and executing those great works which are the lasting monuments of their skill . Examples of their work may be seen at Dijon , Rheims , Tours , Cambrai , Orleans , Vienna , and in those glorious houses of God the Cathedrals of Strasburg and Cologne .

The earliest known Masonic work in the British Islands was the building of the abbey of Melrose in 1136 . On a foundation-stone may still be seen the inscription , " Aimo . Milleno , Centeno , ter quoque deuo , et sext ' o Christi Melross fundata fuisti . " The name also of the master mason is preserved above the door on the west side of the transept—John Morow or Moreau : " John : Morow : sum : tyme : callyt : was : I : and : born : in : Parysse : most : certainly . " William of Sensanother French Masoncame to England in 1176 to

, , , rebuild the cathedral of Canterbury . Norman and French Masons restored the cloisters of Croyland , Warmouth , and that magnificent pile at York , presided over at the present time , as Dean , by Bro . the Very Rev . Purey Gust , and where last week , June llth , was consecrated the first Bishop of this important diocese of Liverpool . Many are the names of our Masonic forefathers that occur in connection

with the erection of churches and cathedrals in England , as Klaus or Kloos , a German master mason , who built King ' s College , Chapel , Cambridge , said to be the finest specimen of Gothic architecture in England ; and another name inferior to none , Sir Christopher Wren , the architect of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , who was , in 1685 , Grand Master of Masons in . England . Thus , Brethren , whether we look into the literature of the Order , or listen to the eloquent and soul-stirring charges , or take part in our impressive ceremonies ,