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calm association with kindred spirits , who hold essentials in common , whose pathway in the world may be diverse , but whose principles agree with our own . It is sweet to meet , on the broad principle of mutual love and kindness , with those who bear as their motto , Honour all men , fear God , honour the Queen : " who

admit the present to be a state of trial , a preliminary to their true life ; who recognise a future state , and a future judgment , and a reward according to the deeds done in the body . Surely the heart must be cold indeed that can see nothing in Masonry , that can experience no sympathetic throb with those united in the same ceremonies , professing the same principles , and assembling periodically in the same Province .

We congratulate you on your meeting of this day , and upon your communion and fellowship , and desire that you may long continue as zealous and faithful members of the Masonic body . My Brethren , —This is now the third time on which I have been privileged to address you on occasion of the annual gathering of your Prov , Grand Lodge . On my first appearance amongst you in my ministerial character , I selected as the ground of my discourse , '' the Christian Mason ;" last year I endeavoured to set before you Messiah , as " the bright and morning star , whose rising , " to adopt your own language , " brings hope of salvation : torthe faithful and obedient of the human race . "

At this time I am permitted in a peculiarly solemn manner , separate and apart from the outer world , with closed doors , and in the presence of none but initiated members of our Order , to address you in language I could not have adopted in a mixed assembly , and beyond the bounds of the Lodge . You will then , I trust , my Brethren , permit me to take advantage of this opportunity , and to be very

practical and earnest this day . You will allow me a more than ordinary license of expression , and remembering that I appear before you , not only as your Chaplain , but as a Past Officer of the Order , who can yield to none in tender wishes that Masonry may long flourish and abound ; should any observations bear a seeming tone of severity , you will attribute them to the purest motives , as uttered in deep humility and in the spirit of true brotherly love and kindness .

We propose now to speak of the Uses and A buses of Freemasonry . In entering upon the first part of the subject , what a wide field is disclosed ! The thought naturally recurs to the time and circumstances under which every individual here present entered into Masonry , and of the solemn question put to each of us at our initiation , — "Do you sincerely declare , upon your honour , that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of Masonry from a favourable opinion preconceived of the Institution , a desire of knowledge , and a sincere wish of rendering yourself more extensively useful to your fellow-creatures ? " The answer given was free and voluntary : it consisted of but two short words , — " I do . "

The remembrance of this language , deliberately uttered , and the memory of pledges given , to make the liberal arts and sciences our constant study , the obligation to search the sacred law , and to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice , and to regulate our life and actions b } T its divine precepts ; the emphatic caution to observe the three great moral duties , —to God , our neighbour , and ourselves . " To God , by holding his name in awe and veneration , viewing Him as the chief good , imploring his aid in laudable pursuits , and supplicating his protection on

well-meant endeavours . To our neighbour , by always acting upon the Square , and considering him equally entitled with ourselves to share the blessings of Providence , rendering unto him those favours and friendly offices which , in a similar situation , we would expect to receive from him ;—and to ourselves , by not abusing the bounties of Providence , impairing our faculties , or debasing our profession by intemperance . " These pledges , these hallowing memories , which

began from the first moment of our admission beyond the threshold of the Lodge , and which were stamped anew with fresh emphasis , and if possible , with more awful obligations , as we advanced step by step to the rank of Master Masons , of themselves suggest the inquiry whether we have , or have not , faithfully endeavoured to fulfil these undertakings , they proclaim the solemn nature of Masonry ; they tell aloud of its scope and object , and if known to the uninitiated portion of the community , would surely tend , in no small degree , to remove the imputations