Oration On Masonry.

world deems insignificant , because they are poor ; yet to them the rich man yields precedence aud obedience in the lodge , and in the public streets and market-place salutes their brothers . Thus each learns to read and value the mind of the

other , and to feel a deep sympathy for each other in the wants and pains of their common nature . The scrupulous exclusion from our lodges of all topics of religious and political discussion—those fruitful sources of envenomed dissension elseAvhere

—maintains this good feeling" , and gives permanence to our institution . The names of Alfred the Great ancl many other sovereigns , William of Wykeham , Cardinal Wolsey , Newton , Locke , Sir Christopher Wren , Inigo Jones , Wellington , and

Washington , silence calumny , and SIIOAV that our science has a deep and abiding interest for the statesman , the minister of religion , the patriot , the man of science , ancl the philanthropist . And now , my brethren , let me ask how shall Ave best

maintain and transmit the dignity of our Order unsullied to our successors ? I answer by simply remembering that to each of us great talents , pure Masonic jewels , of AA'hich those Ave wear are but the emblems , have been committed , Avhich it

is a sin against Him AA'I IO confided them to us to bury in a napkin . Let each remember that he is a stone forming part of the great Masonic temple , Avhether in the foundations , the buttresses , the Avails , or the pinnacle , to Avhich he can give strength , grace , ancl lustre by a life modelled on

Masonic principles , or dim its brightness and sap its foundations by forgetfulness of his obligations . Whatever good thing Ave find to do let us do it at once , and with all our might , for ' the night cometli when no man can Avork . - ' Our own cup has been

filled to oVerfloAving by the great Dispenser of All Bounty , Avith corn ancl Avine , with oil and salt ; let us shoAV our gratitude to the Giver by extending the readiest and amplest relief to every being AVIIO bears His image , Avho depends upon

His providence , Avho is fed by His bounty , and who relies on His all-comprehending mercy . Brother Masons , let us look beyond the narroAV limits of particular institutions , and recognise in every child of Adam a brother of the dust . Let

us strive to bind the Avhole human family together Avith the strong chain of brotherly love , relief , and charity in thought , charity in word , and charity in deed , engraven on each golden link . When this shall be accomplished , then shall the Avhole race of man , of every sphere , nation , colour , creed , and

Oration On Masonry.

language be fused into one universal brotherhood , —sending up to the great I AM the most acceptable offering and oblation , one universal song of praise , bursting forth as from one tongue , Avelling up as from one soul : —¦

Father of all ! in every age , In every clime adored , By saint , by savage , and by sage , Jehovah ! Ruler 1 Lord ! To Thee whose temple is all space , AA'hose altarearthairskies

, , , , One chorus let all being raise , All Nature ' s incense rise . When that clay comes Ave Avill lay aside our Avorking tools , for our labours Avill be ended . Then will our lodges be closed , and our secrets

may be proclaimed from the housetop , for the mission of Freemasonry will be accomplished . Let all the brethren unite Avith me in saying —So mote it be .

Physical Qualifications Of Candidates.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES .

lhe solution of the question " Avhether a man Avho has been disabled by the loss of a limb may be admitted into the pale of the Masonic Fraternity , " has acquired a paramount importance in consequence of the late civil strife in the United

States , ancl still more recently by the Avar in Central Europe , through Avhich thousands of men who might otherAvise be Avell qualified , have suffered physical injuries liable to debar them from becoming active members of tho Craft . The

question ivas recently laid before the Grand Master of the State of Alabama and received from him the folloAA'ino- decision : — o

Can one Avho has lost a leg be made a Mason ? Can one thus situated , Avhose loss has been supplied by artificial means , bo made a Mason ? In answer to the first question , I quoted the language ol the Constitution as the law , " that the candidate musfc be free from such corporeal deformity as would render him incapable of teaching aud practising the ritual of the Fraternit and that subordinate

y ; " every lodge was a jury , whoso duty it Avas to pass upon the fact , Avhether the candidate could come up to the requisition . Here I rested my decision , declining to interfere in Avhat I conceived to be the proper duty of tho subordinate lodge . At the same time , hocvever , I expressed an opinion adverse to tbe reception of such candidates , even though the loss of limb lied bartificial

a was suj . j . y means . . . . In this , as in almost every other question , it is well to recur to the elementary principle as the starting-point from Avbicli Ave must not depart , and by which Ave must be guided , if Ave Avish to avoid error . It may be Avell also to remember , that though AVO live in a " progressive age , " yet there is nothing progressive in the character of Masonry . It is the same to-day as it was yesterday , —the same it was centuries ago By the loss of a limb , one certainly ceases to be of