Sermon

illiberal spirit often stifles , but which every worthy man and Mason must feel that in the exercise of which he is manifesting to the world at large the excellence of that code he obeys , the beauty of that institution to which he belongs , and the glory of that God Avho made him . And in the practice of

those high moral and social virtues which Ave all profess to admire , Ave may be sure that he most conduces to his own happiness Avho shares in and contributes to tho happiness of others . In so doing there is bnt little room for those feelings of envy and jealousy , those disturbers of the peace and harmony of society which causes so much

trouble in the Avorld . If one is humbled and another is exalted , should Ave not rather accommodate ourselves to his position—sympathise with the one and rejoice Avith the other ? The very diversities we see in this Avorld , whether they be those of rank or fortune , poverty or affluenceignorance or

learn-, ing , are all calculated to draw forth not the worst but the best feelings of our nature , and to school and disci pline us for any fate or lot that may happen to us in this life . And as precarionsness aud uncertainty are stamped upon earthly things , and the Avisest of the sons of men cannot tell what a

day may bring forth , how time and circumstances may so deal Avith him that his slate and position in this life may be very different to-morrow to what it is to-day—Avhat sentiment better accords with that great guide of life , the law of probabilities , than that Ave should love one another , since he AVIIO has

apparently the best reason for leaning upon his own hand and arm to-day may , in an hour Avhen he least expects it , be exposed to the mortification of supplicating the aid of that brother AA'hom he may now despise . Well , therefore , does that society to Avhich Ave belong perform the great princile of

p brotherly love , showing to the outer Avorld in general , and to her OAvn members in particular , that in her perfect symmetry , glorious universality , complete unanimity , her beauty , order , and conspicuous charity , she is a gain and excellent exponent to the Avorld at large of the Avords cf our textand invites

, them to come and see how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dAvell together in unity . And here suffer me , my Masonic brethren in particular , to remind you of that outer Avorld Avhich often looks on A \ ith Avonder and suspicion , to act and deport yourselves in that AA ise and circumspect

manner that the adversary may have no cause to apeak disdainfully by beholding any incongruity in the conduct Ave pursue , and the principles AVO profess . But let the recommendation of our ancient

and honourable fraternity be tho manifestation of the level steps , upright intentions , and Avellsquared actions of every brother , Avhereby at last we hope to reach that Grand Lodge above , Avhere m Jerusalem the Golden , the above of perfect love and peace , Ave may be sure that the burden of at

least one of the songs of Zion will be , " Behold bow good and joyful a thing it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity . "

Some Reasons For Our Being A Secret Order.

SOME REASONS FOR OUR BEING A SECRET ORDER .

Freemasonry has been denounced and suspected , in consequence of its being a secret Order . Secrecy in all things , where secrecy is maintained , is not only consistent Avith innocence , but is also imperatively enforced by necessity , as Avell as

demanded by every consideration of policy . The direct benefits floAving from Masonry are of course intended for , and should be participated in , only by its members—by those who have been regularly initiated into its mysteries , and contribute to its support . They are secured by a knowledge of a universal language , Avhich is used as a test of

brotherhood . Ihis universal language ( universal to Masons ) is , under no circumstances , communicated to the Avorld at large . The words and signs of it are secret ; for to communicate them would at once destroy their utility . And , strange as it

may seem to the uninitiated , our society professes to have no secrets beyond this . There is little , very little , in the lodge to gratify the eye of the inquisitive . We do not tempt them Avith offers to unfold some mighty mystery ; Ave can impart to

them no superhuman wisdom ; Ave possess not the elixir of life , nor the philosopher ' s stone , nor the spells of the Tarshun ; we cannot and do not profess to be bound by any ties but such as are consistent with our duty toAA'ards ourselves and families , oar neighbours , our country , and our God .

About the general nature of lodge transactions , every one here can knoAv as much as any of its members ; but fear of any apprehension on this subject , Ave Avould briefly state that nowhere are order and decorum more strictly enforced than in our lodges ; our business there is charity and brotherly communion , the admission of candidates , and the transactions of such other matters as

necessarily pertain to every association . Now , all this is of such a character , that it may Avith great propriety be kept to ourselves . We are brothers —members of a large family—met for the purpose of transacting our own business , with Avhich the Avorld has no concern ; and Avhy should the Avorld

be permitted to Avitness its disposition ? Does a needy brother receive assistance , it is not for us to vaunt it ; and it might not be agreeable to him to proclaim his Avants before strangers , or to have the fact of his being relieved published ; and it Avould certainly be impolitic and uncharitable , by publicity , to trammel the discussion of character ; and hoAV could the announcement of the rejection of candidates for our confidence be otherwise than

prejudicial to us , by exciting enmity and disaffection in the Avorld . We seek not collision with the Avorld , made up of a thousand creeds ; our objects are few , and their pursuit is quiet and secret ; and we have , as Masons , naught in common with the