Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
taken too freely , inebriates ; so the mind becomes confused when allowed to go beyond its capacity in the endeavour to penetrate into secrets which belong only to God . There is still oheTMasonic virtue upon which we have not yet touched , and is the most characterestic one of the Order ; the key-stone of the Arch which supports all the rest , and from which they radiate as from a centre of light . It is Charity , the last of the three staves * o £ Jacob ' s ladder , which stands upon the Holy Bible and reaches the vault of heaven . This is the grace most thoroughly
discanted on in every degree of the Order . It is made to rest upon Faith , supported by the massive pillars of Hope . It is represented as one of the principal ends and aims of the Fraternity . Masons are not taught , as it is supposed , to confine their charity to the Brotherhood , hut merely to make them the first consideration . A Mason ' s charity is to know no bounds save those of prudence . But they are taught to be circumspect in its distribution , to see that it falls into the hands of the deserving . The cry of the needy must , as soon as it falls in plaintive accents upon the ear , find a ready response in their hearts , and be met with a willing and cheerful hand to aleviate it . But not only are they to be
charitable in dispensing alms , in protecting the widow , who has lost her prop and her stay ; in guarding the orphan , who has been deprived of his earthly shield ; inpreparing an asylum for the aged and needy , and in giving what they can spare to those who are bowed down with the biting sorrow of keen poverty ; but they are to think charitably of their fellow-men . They are rather to err on the side of mercy , Nnr is their charity to create a boundary in creed or colour . It is to be open to all the creatures of God without distinction . They are to judge all alike by the true die-square , and not suffer their compassion to be warped by unrighteous prejudice .
' Nov arrogantl y de em i t j u s t To close with , wild fanatic hate , Fair mercy ' s everlasting gate Against his erring brother of the dust Far , far from such nnhallow'd strife , In man a kindred soul w e view ; To all who share the ills of life Our pity and relief are due ; Nor ask we what religious rite
Conveys his orisons to heaven ; Enough for us if comfort we impart , Or soothe the anguish of a broken heart . ' Thus universal should be a Mason ' s charity ; and , whether the cry proceed from the starving bands of Judea , from troubled India ' s torrid clime , from the wretched sufferers of the earth-moved Naples , or from the poverty-stricken and heartbroken of our shores , it should move us equally , and prompt us to hasten eagerly to assuage the woe that seeks at our hands help and . consolation . Brethren ,
permit me to breathe an earnest hope that all your Lodges may be consecrated to benevolence such as this , which by blessing is itself doubly blessed . Still further , permit me to express a hope that the Friendly Lodge , now duly dedicated , may always be bordered around with net-work , lily-work , and pomegranates , which were carved on the ehaptrels of the two pillars that stood in the porch that led to -King Solomon ' ^ Temple . Unity , as symbolized by the connection of the meshes
in net-work ; purity , emblematically depicted by . lily-work ; and plenty , as denoted by the exuberance of the seeds . in the pomegranate . Ladies and gentlemen , I thank you very . sincerely for the kind attention you have been pleased to pay to this address , and I conclude by wishing you all ay a memento of tlii . s day ' s proceedings , the corn of nourishment , the wine of cheerfulness , and the oil of joy , as your portions during the journey of thin life . "
. At the conclusion of the oration , tho reverend 'Brother was loudly cheered , and the ft . W . Prov . Grand Master rose and formally proposed a vote of thanks to the Crand Chaplain . The reverend 'Brother , in brief but suitable terms , acknowledged the ovation , and resumed his neat amidst loud demonstrations of satisfaction .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
taken too freely , inebriates ; so the mind becomes confused when allowed to go beyond its capacity in the endeavour to penetrate into secrets which belong only to God . There is still oheTMasonic virtue upon which we have not yet touched , and is the most characterestic one of the Order ; the key-stone of the Arch which supports all the rest , and from which they radiate as from a centre of light . It is Charity , the last of the three staves * o £ Jacob ' s ladder , which stands upon the Holy Bible and reaches the vault of heaven . This is the grace most thoroughly
discanted on in every degree of the Order . It is made to rest upon Faith , supported by the massive pillars of Hope . It is represented as one of the principal ends and aims of the Fraternity . Masons are not taught , as it is supposed , to confine their charity to the Brotherhood , hut merely to make them the first consideration . A Mason ' s charity is to know no bounds save those of prudence . But they are taught to be circumspect in its distribution , to see that it falls into the hands of the deserving . The cry of the needy must , as soon as it falls in plaintive accents upon the ear , find a ready response in their hearts , and be met with a willing and cheerful hand to aleviate it . But not only are they to be
charitable in dispensing alms , in protecting the widow , who has lost her prop and her stay ; in guarding the orphan , who has been deprived of his earthly shield ; inpreparing an asylum for the aged and needy , and in giving what they can spare to those who are bowed down with the biting sorrow of keen poverty ; but they are to think charitably of their fellow-men . They are rather to err on the side of mercy , Nnr is their charity to create a boundary in creed or colour . It is to be open to all the creatures of God without distinction . They are to judge all alike by the true die-square , and not suffer their compassion to be warped by unrighteous prejudice .
' Nov arrogantl y de em i t j u s t To close with , wild fanatic hate , Fair mercy ' s everlasting gate Against his erring brother of the dust Far , far from such nnhallow'd strife , In man a kindred soul w e view ; To all who share the ills of life Our pity and relief are due ; Nor ask we what religious rite
Conveys his orisons to heaven ; Enough for us if comfort we impart , Or soothe the anguish of a broken heart . ' Thus universal should be a Mason ' s charity ; and , whether the cry proceed from the starving bands of Judea , from troubled India ' s torrid clime , from the wretched sufferers of the earth-moved Naples , or from the poverty-stricken and heartbroken of our shores , it should move us equally , and prompt us to hasten eagerly to assuage the woe that seeks at our hands help and . consolation . Brethren ,
permit me to breathe an earnest hope that all your Lodges may be consecrated to benevolence such as this , which by blessing is itself doubly blessed . Still further , permit me to express a hope that the Friendly Lodge , now duly dedicated , may always be bordered around with net-work , lily-work , and pomegranates , which were carved on the ehaptrels of the two pillars that stood in the porch that led to -King Solomon ' ^ Temple . Unity , as symbolized by the connection of the meshes
in net-work ; purity , emblematically depicted by . lily-work ; and plenty , as denoted by the exuberance of the seeds . in the pomegranate . Ladies and gentlemen , I thank you very . sincerely for the kind attention you have been pleased to pay to this address , and I conclude by wishing you all ay a memento of tlii . s day ' s proceedings , the corn of nourishment , the wine of cheerfulness , and the oil of joy , as your portions during the journey of thin life . "
. At the conclusion of the oration , tho reverend 'Brother was loudly cheered , and the ft . W . Prov . Grand Master rose and formally proposed a vote of thanks to the Crand Chaplain . The reverend 'Brother , in brief but suitable terms , acknowledged the ovation , and resumed his neat amidst loud demonstrations of satisfaction .