-
Articles/Ads
Article ORATION IN HONOUR OF MASONRY ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Oration In Honour Of Masonry
prehend these divine attributes , and thus led him , hy a gentle compulsion as it were , to Look through nature up to nature ' s God . By such associations Masonry is calculated to make on the minds of its members impressions
which can never be effaced , although they may , from time to time , be dulled by the cares and temptations of life . It enforces the obligation laid on us , ancl then when comes upon us that " last scene of all Avhich ends this strange eventful
history , " and Ave stand on the brink of that grave which will so soon receive us into its cold bosom , whence but from the teaching of this Sacred Volume can we learn to look unflinchingly through its gloomy portal and raise the eye of faith to
that bright morning star whose rising shall bring peace and salvation to all those Avho accept its teachings ancl follow its injunctions ? Avhere but from its promise can we learn to regard death , not as the king of terrors , a ghostly , grinning
skeleton of decaying humanity , but as a siveet , smiling mother , come to claim her OAVU child again , yearning to shelter him in her protecting arms , to clasp him to her warni bosom , to soothe him to forgetfuhiess of life ' s trials and
disappointments , and lull him into a grateful ancl eternal rest ? If Ave prove ourselves good Masons , Ave shall realise this picture in our OAVU case . Our obligations , if they mean anything , mean that Ave have given ourselves to others , that ive have resoh r ecl to clo our utmost to bring- all classes
together , to make them feel that they are brethren , to gather together , as it ivere , the fragments of a fallen nature , and build them up into a perfect temple . Such is the Avork to Avhich every Mason , in . his generation , has bound himself to add a
stone . The builder builds for centuries , Ave for eternity . A hundred thousand men ivere employed to raise a pyramid over a dead king ; let us feel ancl shoiv that ive are engaged in a far nobler work , in erecting a living temple to the
glory of the living God , not to be judged of by its outer magnificence , but by its inner decorations , and by its fruit , which is to endure for ages . If we Avould understand and- value at their full worth those wondrous pillars of wisdom ,
strength , and beauty on Avhich Freemasonry rests , Ave must begin with that practical humility Avhich can alone break doAvn the barriers and bridge over the gulf which HOAV interposes betAveen man and man ; with that charity AA'hich judges Avith candour and reprehends with mercy ;
Avith that submission to the Divine will which teaches us to trust in God ourselves , and to feel towards others that love of which He is the essence , and with that benevolence which so many need treacling side by side Avith us the
uncertain ancl thorny path of life , ancl for which we may have to appeal in turn , how soon , and ' under what circumstances of danger , difficulty , and distress God only knows . Let us in daily life be guided by prudence , temperance , fortitude ,
ancl justice . We must be prepared , at any moment , to give an exact account of the employ--ment of time , intellect , ancl worldly wealth , thoseprecious jeAvels committed to us by the great Lord to whom Ave are steivards . We must show
that our Lord's talents have been spent not in . neglect or self-indulgence , nor laid aside in uselessness or buried in a napkin in the ground , but expended in such works as may be found ' most consonant to His law and will . And
to the comprehension of that will and law how plain is the direction , how sure ancl yet how gentle are the guides . When at night we lift upour eyes and contemplate the peace and splendour of the host of heaven , how each in that countless
multitude revolves in is OAVU orbit , and rejoices , as it were , to subserve the universal order , we recognise an omnipotent , yet gentle , influence which demands ancl receives a ivilling- ancl exact obedience . When we turn our eyes doiA'n to
the earth on ivhich Ave dwell , Ave see in all theworks of the First Great Cause the same unswerving principle . It ruled at the Creation , has prevailed throughout all time , and will bless the countless ages of eternity , It is the IaAV of kindness ancl of love ; that is the law given to . Masons for their humble imitation . It is rich iu ..
promise , joyous in operation , and certain in its fruition as truth itself . Of such a law how can I better speak than in the language of an old divine , language as noble as ever fell from the lips of uninspired man ; would that voice or
gestureof mine could do it justice : — " Of this law there can be no less acknoAvledgment than that her tent is in the bosom of God , her lodge the harmony of spheres ; all things in heaven ancl earth clo her homage , the very least as feeling her care , the
very greatest as not exempted from her power ; both angels and men , and creatures of ivhat condition soever , though each in different voica and manner , yet all , with uniform conduct , admiring ancl praising her , the mother of their peace-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Oration In Honour Of Masonry
prehend these divine attributes , and thus led him , hy a gentle compulsion as it were , to Look through nature up to nature ' s God . By such associations Masonry is calculated to make on the minds of its members impressions
which can never be effaced , although they may , from time to time , be dulled by the cares and temptations of life . It enforces the obligation laid on us , ancl then when comes upon us that " last scene of all Avhich ends this strange eventful
history , " and Ave stand on the brink of that grave which will so soon receive us into its cold bosom , whence but from the teaching of this Sacred Volume can we learn to look unflinchingly through its gloomy portal and raise the eye of faith to
that bright morning star whose rising shall bring peace and salvation to all those Avho accept its teachings ancl follow its injunctions ? Avhere but from its promise can we learn to regard death , not as the king of terrors , a ghostly , grinning
skeleton of decaying humanity , but as a siveet , smiling mother , come to claim her OAVU child again , yearning to shelter him in her protecting arms , to clasp him to her warni bosom , to soothe him to forgetfuhiess of life ' s trials and
disappointments , and lull him into a grateful ancl eternal rest ? If Ave prove ourselves good Masons , Ave shall realise this picture in our OAVU case . Our obligations , if they mean anything , mean that Ave have given ourselves to others , that ive have resoh r ecl to clo our utmost to bring- all classes
together , to make them feel that they are brethren , to gather together , as it ivere , the fragments of a fallen nature , and build them up into a perfect temple . Such is the Avork to Avhich every Mason , in . his generation , has bound himself to add a
stone . The builder builds for centuries , Ave for eternity . A hundred thousand men ivere employed to raise a pyramid over a dead king ; let us feel ancl shoiv that ive are engaged in a far nobler work , in erecting a living temple to the
glory of the living God , not to be judged of by its outer magnificence , but by its inner decorations , and by its fruit , which is to endure for ages . If we Avould understand and- value at their full worth those wondrous pillars of wisdom ,
strength , and beauty on Avhich Freemasonry rests , Ave must begin with that practical humility Avhich can alone break doAvn the barriers and bridge over the gulf which HOAV interposes betAveen man and man ; with that charity AA'hich judges Avith candour and reprehends with mercy ;
Avith that submission to the Divine will which teaches us to trust in God ourselves , and to feel towards others that love of which He is the essence , and with that benevolence which so many need treacling side by side Avith us the
uncertain ancl thorny path of life , ancl for which we may have to appeal in turn , how soon , and ' under what circumstances of danger , difficulty , and distress God only knows . Let us in daily life be guided by prudence , temperance , fortitude ,
ancl justice . We must be prepared , at any moment , to give an exact account of the employ--ment of time , intellect , ancl worldly wealth , thoseprecious jeAvels committed to us by the great Lord to whom Ave are steivards . We must show
that our Lord's talents have been spent not in . neglect or self-indulgence , nor laid aside in uselessness or buried in a napkin in the ground , but expended in such works as may be found ' most consonant to His law and will . And
to the comprehension of that will and law how plain is the direction , how sure ancl yet how gentle are the guides . When at night we lift upour eyes and contemplate the peace and splendour of the host of heaven , how each in that countless
multitude revolves in is OAVU orbit , and rejoices , as it were , to subserve the universal order , we recognise an omnipotent , yet gentle , influence which demands ancl receives a ivilling- ancl exact obedience . When we turn our eyes doiA'n to
the earth on ivhich Ave dwell , Ave see in all theworks of the First Great Cause the same unswerving principle . It ruled at the Creation , has prevailed throughout all time , and will bless the countless ages of eternity , It is the IaAV of kindness ancl of love ; that is the law given to . Masons for their humble imitation . It is rich iu ..
promise , joyous in operation , and certain in its fruition as truth itself . Of such a law how can I better speak than in the language of an old divine , language as noble as ever fell from the lips of uninspired man ; would that voice or
gestureof mine could do it justice : — " Of this law there can be no less acknoAvledgment than that her tent is in the bosom of God , her lodge the harmony of spheres ; all things in heaven ancl earth clo her homage , the very least as feeling her care , the
very greatest as not exempted from her power ; both angels and men , and creatures of ivhat condition soever , though each in different voica and manner , yet all , with uniform conduct , admiring ancl praising her , the mother of their peace-