Masonry In America.

some , and equally as full of trials and misfortunes to others ; still , when we look around us , we have reason to be thankful—indeed , if we seriously reflect aud behold many who a few years since counted their thousauds now on the very lowest spoke of fortune ' s wheel , and many of our brethren ( for all men tire brethren ) iu want of the common necessaries of life , we are forced to admit that " our Hues have been cast in pleasant places , " that the Giver of good has been more kind and indulgent to us than we have deserved at his handsand that we know not

, how soon some of us may be compelled to ask for fraternal aid . * * * The cardinal virtues demand at least a passing notice . That great mau of all future ages , the immortal Washington , declared that the grand object of Masonry was to promote the happiness of the human race ; intemperance , therefore , must he unmasonic , as its tendency is to produce unhappiness , and the Mason who properly regards his vows , made almost at the very threshold of our temple , must be temperate iu all things . While I do not adopt the ultra views of total

abstinence , still it must be candidly admitted that alcoholic stimulant is the greatest curse to which the human family has been subjected , its touch and taste is enticing , aad when once it firmly grasps its victim , it closes his eyes and ears to all warning , and finally he ends his reckless voyage in a drunkard ' s grave . " Fortitude is a noble virtue , and necessary to the proper discharge of all our various duties as members of society or Masons . Many a uiau who had projected stupendous plans for the benefit of the human racewhich would have immortalized

, his name , has , for the want of this virtue , suffered himself , and the offspring of his imagination , to be consigned to oblivion . " In every relation of life , 113 Masous or men , we should adopt the homely watchword of him who fought and fell on the bloody field of the Alamo , * for the independence of that glorious state upon whose banner as her emblem shines ' the blazon star of Masonry '— ' Be sure you are right , then go ahead . ' Be sure that your conscience approves , then have the fortitude to grasp the legitimate means ,

and wield them for its accomplishment . It was this virtue which enabled the widow ' s son to be faithful even unto death . It was this virtue which enabled De Molay and his companions to laugh to scorn the coarse jeers of liis unrelenting persecutors , and even when the accursed faggots crackled around the noble forms of him and his valiant knights , enabled him with courage sufficient for the occasion , to summon that demon Philip , aud his tool the sovereign pontiff uf the catholic world , to meet them ere twelve months should roll round , » t the bar of the eternal Kingand while slowly burningto sing praises to Him ' who taketh

, , away the sting of death ,- the victory of the grave . ' " Prudence , like the balance wheel of the timepiece , should enable us to regulate all our actions , having eternity iu view ; with its proper exercise we shall be enabled to select such ashlers as will fit well in the temple for which they are designed . Prudent as to the extent to which our kindness should allow us to go ; not however suffering a fellow being to die while debating the propriety of affording relief , but , on the contrary , it is our duty as Masons to bestow such aid as we can afford to

distress , in whatever shape we may find it , and whenever au opportunity presents itself . On a proper exercise of this virtue depends much of the good we may do as Masons , and while exercising this virtue we should have an eye to the object claiming our attention , and be careful that our aid is properly bestowed , lest the viper being warmed iu our bosoms may for our kindness return unto us deadly stings . ***** " Justice is that boundary of right which enables us to render to every man his

due . Temperance may give a clear head and free thought ; prudence may dictate the proper means for its accomplishment ; but it remains for justice to exercise the discrimination necessary , and mete out to our brother that which is his just due . And as to err is human , it teaches us to scan well the motives of those whom we would censure , and impartially balance the scales in order to ascertain the wrong intended or the injury sustained , so that iu our censure the erring man may not pay too dearly for his fault , and that perchance a gentle chiding may win him