Royal Arch.

secrecy and silence are amongst the most highly prized ornaments of a true Mason . ( Applause . ) It were indeed tedious to give full details of the buildings of that glorious temple upon which and about which we are , if true and faithful Masons , labouring and striving to fulfil our daily task of work , and forming and fashioning each one himself to become a living stone in its everlasting walls . ( Applause . ) Suffice it to say , that its foundations were laid in the remotest ages of

antiquity , and it will only receive its cope stone when the Great Architect of the Universe shall come to judge and to approve of the work of his faithful servants , and time shall be no more . ( Applause . ) Nor could he do more than allude to those secret associations of old that seemed to have so much in common and so many points of resemblance to themselves . The learning of the Egyptians , in which Moses was well skilled ; the Tynan

knowledge of architecture and art , in which Hiram was a master ; the philosophy of Pythagoras , learnt by himself from secret associations , and in secret expounded and taught , and that sfcraitesc sect of the Essenes to which John the Baptist and the holy Apostle St . Paul are said to have belonged . ( Hear , hear . ) Suffice it to say that they met on the level and parted on the square ; that they had for their object the discovery of

truth , the study of science , and the cultivation of art , and inculcated the practice of virtue and the exercise of brotherly love . They were faithful to the trust reposed in them ; never revealed the secrets into which they had been initiated , and would brave perils by sea or land to aid and succour a distressed brother . ( Hear , hear . ) And though they existed amidst ignorance and gross darkness , in their secret inner chamber the lamp of knowledge was ever burningand they left behind

, them a line of light . ( Applause . ) But it was with Masonry in their own native country they had next to do , and though he could not adduce what would be called historic proof , there was reason to believe it existed at a very early period of England's history . Tradition had it that the first Christian martyr was ,

at the time he was done to death by the savage persecutors of our holy religion , the Grand Master of the Masons . He , as is well known , brought upon himself a martyr ' s death by fidelity to his friend , and if he were indeed one of our brotherhood , we need not ask where and how he had learnt the fortitude and truth which enabled the martyred St . Albans to protect and defend his friend Amphibalus to his own great peril , and even in death itself to bo his brother stedfast and true . ( Applause . )

And when Alfred the Great had delivered his subjects from the Danish yoke , and was anxious to disseminate knowledge and cultivate the arts of peace , there was no wonder be should seek the aid of such a fraternity as that to which they belonged . Masons could aid him in the great work which he set himself to do , and he would find their associations well fitted to spread knowledge , study science , foster art , and elevate the social and moral habits of bis people . ( Hearhear . ) As he had observed

, , this was tradition ; but when they came to a later period the evidence was of a different character . About the year 927 , in the reign of Athelstane , the Masons assembled at York , and brought with them many documents in Greek and Latin and other languages containing their laws and constitutions , and Prince Edwin , their Grand Master , procured for them a charter , giving them power of " correction among themselves . " And

there is in existence an old manuscript which is said to be not later than the fourteenth century , containing the laws and constitutions agreed upon at this assembly , in the reign of Athelstane . It contains fifteen articles and fifteen points to be observed by Masons , and is full of instruction and good counsel . In the first article it is taught that—The Mayster Mason moste be ful securly

Bothe stedfast , trusty , and trewe , Hyt shal bym never themie arewe . And again it is advised—That no werke he nudartake But he connc both hytende and make . And another most important principle of the Craft is thus

taught—In the reign of Henry VI . the civil power seems to have become jealous of the power and influence of the Masonic brotherhood , and an Act was passed by what is called the Butt Parliament forbidding their assemblies or congregations . Tbe clergy of the period seem to have been jealous because they would not reveal the secrets of the Craft in the confessional , and Cardinal Beaufort exercised much influence during the ' minority of the king . He was not one whose good opinion was worth much . His deathbed is described by the immortal Shakespeare who makes the king visit and thus address

him—Lord Cardinal , tlnnkst thou of heaven's bliss , Lift up thy band , make signal of thy hope . He dies and makes no sign . But what more concerned them was the fact that Henry , wliei ? he came of age himself , joined the society , examined for himself its principles and its objects , their charges and their laws , and pronounced them " right good and reasonable to be holden . " There are some questions and answers said to have been ied

cop from a manuscript in the handwriting of the king , one of which , without revealing our secrets , I will read . Question— " What mote it be ? " Answer— "Ytt beeth the shylde of nature , the understandynge of the myghte that ys hereynne , and its sondry e werkynges : sonderlyche tbe skylle of reckenyngs , of waightes and metynges ,, and the true manere of faconnynge al thynges for mannes use ; headlye , dwellinges , and buildynges of

alle kindes , and all other thynges that make gudde to man . " ( Applause . ) Having mentioned some other incidents in history connected with Masonry , Bro . Simpson went on to describe wdiat were called the Ancient York Masons , and how the Queen's father , the late Duke of Kent , had successfully laboured to bring all tbe lodges in England under one constitution , and had thus promoted and encouraged that harmony and brotherly love which were the great ornaments of the fraternity ; and

after some further remarks upon the principles and objects of Freemasonry as now practised , he concluded by again calling upon them to join him in wishing Bro . Whitwell perfect restoration to health and length of days . ( Hear , hear . ) As a . brother Mason they bad for him the deepest respect and esteem , and he was sure every Mason there present most heartily wished that he might be blessed in the work which he .

had to do , might long be an example and a guide to his fellow Craftsmen , and might aid others , and himself be aided , in building up that glorious temple designed by the Great Architect oS the universe , upon which it was their duty daily to labour , and .-in which they hoped as lively stones to find their place when

their work was ended and they were called to refreshment and rest . ( Applause . ) The CHAIRMAN , who was received with the warmest applause , said before replying for the honour done him by the toast he wished to thank his brother on his right ( the Rev . James Simpson ) for the kind way in which he had referred to his ( the chairman's ) efforts , and it was a matter of regret that they had not already availed themselves more freely of the great industry

and ability which his Rev . brother brought to hear on everything that he took in hand . But he ( the chairman ) hoped that the research so manifest in the able speech to which they had just listened would not be lost , but that Bro . Simpson would give them more of it at some future time at their lodge meetings . ( Applause ) . Bro . Whitwell then referred to the great—he might say the aristocratic—antiquity of the Orderand concluded by

, stating that he had joined it because he believed it to be bis duty to do so , and because he deemed its principles pure and . enobling . ( Cheers . ) Rev . Bro . COCKETT proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and after referring to the important place which they held , coupled the toast with the name of " Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . "

Bro . BINCKES returned thanks . He felt highly gratified at having his name coupled with the magnificent Charities of the . Order . He briefly adverted to some of them . They included a School in which 100 girls were maintained ; another School in which SO boys ( soon to be increased to 100 ) were brought up ; and an Institution which protected and fostered in the decline of life something like 130 persons of both sexes . These Charities were supported bthe voluntary contributions of a

bodnumy y bering not more than from 25 , 000 to 30 , 000 persons , who raised from £ 10 , 000 to £ 15 , 000 per annum for these purposes , besides what they contributed to other charities unconnected with Freemasonry . In the course of his speech , Bro . Binckes alluded to the innocuous thunders which had recently been launched

He schal not hys felaws work deprave , Y cf that he wol hys honeste save . And secrecy is just as strongly inculcated in these ancient records as amongst ourselves—The prevysteof the chamber telle no man , Xy yn the logge whatsever they done ; Whatsever thou heryst , or syste hem do , Telle hyt no man , v / hersever thou go ;